BigLaw Closes Shop in Egypt

Egypt is the 16th largest country in the world by population with 80 million people, but it is underrepresented by top law firms.  DLA Piper and Baker & McKenzie both have offices in Cairo, and both have shut down operations for the moment.  Most businesses in Cairo remain closed as the protests grow both in size and intensity.

Things took a bad turn today when pro government counter demonstrators took to the streets, sparking violent clashes that left at least one man dead and several hundred wounded.  The Egyptian army, the most modern army in the Arab world, remained on the sidelines yet again, allowing the protesters to fight it out among themselves.