10 March 2008
The Lawyer
Neville Howe: Royal & SunAlliance
Neville Howe has followed Royal & SunAlliance's mantra of putting the customer first and brought the legal team bang up to date in the process.
Nice work if you can get it
The Ministry of Justice's (MoJ) caveat over which barristers are the highest-paid legal aid practitioners appears to be absolutely justified.
People
• Watson Farley & Williams has hired Dr Clemens Hillmer as a partner for its Hamburg office. He joins from Ince & Co where he was as an associate.
...As MoJ names top legal aid earners
Balbir Singh, head of Birmingham-based Equity Chambers, has been revealed as the highest-paid legal aid criminal barrister for the second year in a row, according to Ministry of Justice (MoJ) figures.
A&O elects Dejonghe's successor in Belgium
Allen & Overy has elected Dirk Meeus as Belgian chief following the promotion of Wim Dejonghe to global managing partner.
Allen & Overy and the UN most attractive employers say students
The United Nations and Allen & Overy have emerged as the most popular employers among students who are interested in a career in the law.
Andrew Clinton: ASB Law
With a target turnover of £25m by 2010, South East firm ASB Law wants to reverse the downward trend in its turnover figures.
Andrew Holroyd
What was your first-ever job?Grave digger, Nab Wood Cemetery, Shipley, Yorkshire.
Are we ready for prenups to become the law?
Having generated an estimated £18m from three earlier divorces, Susan Crossley was roundly criticised in the media for having the temerity to pursue her fourth husband for a share of his fortune.
Ashurst handed key role on Indian IPO
Ashurst has been instructed on its first Indian IPO, advising on the $400m (£196.80) flotation of Rural Electrification Corporation on India's Bombay and National stock exchanges.
Bakers and Norton Rose navigate DP World's first Egyptian buyout
Baker & McKenzie and Norton Rose have steered through the first Egyptian investment by Dubai ports operator DP World, which has taken control of the Sokhna Port Development Company.
Banking and finance
The credit crisis has had a huge impact on the legal market since it began last summer.
Barrister revenue hits £250K at Kings
Average revenue per barrister (RPB) at North West set Kings Chambers has broken through the £250,000 barrier.
BAT uses Herbies on danish purchase
British American Tobacco (BAT) has turned to Herbert Smith for advice on its £2.05bn purchase of Scandinavia's largest tobacco brand.
Bird & Bird merges with Finnish firm Fennica
Bird & Bird has boosted its Nordic coverage, merging with 10-partner Finnish firm Fennica Attorneys.
BLP shows its rock-solid 'Star' quality
For the second year running, Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) picked up the trophy for HR Team of the Year at The Lawyer HR Awards 2008, as well as the for Excellence in Training and Most Effective Internal Communications awards.
'Boring' Budget reveals little change on corporation tax
There was little news in the Budget for companies to be concerned about, with Alistair Darling confirming that corporation tax will fall from 38 per cent to 28 per cent by April.
Called to the bar
We've all been there. You're entertaining clients at a country hotel and the bar is about to close, but the nearest nightclub is miles away.
Child support
One of the chosen charities for The Lawyer Awards 2008, Kids Company gives vulnerable children and teenagers the chance for a fresh start
Clifford Chance GC demands freedom from conflicts
CC general counsel and chairman of the City of London Law Society rules and regulation committee Chris Perrin has called for significant widening of client conflict.
DLA Piper bulks up Middle East corporate team
DLA Piper has bulked up its presence in the Middle East with the hire of regional corporate head Peter Monk.
DLA Piper launches in Houston
DLA Piper yesterday announced the opening of an office in Houston, Texas with three lawyers from Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld and Howrey.
Don't leave home without it
The last time Tulkinghorn travelled beyond the comfort of his reading room, he packed three gallons of fine port and a change of long johns. And that was just for a trip to Reading.
Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs in merger with top black firm MNMR
South African law firm Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs (ENS) has merged with 100 per cent black-owned firm MNMR in a bid to become the firm with the greatest number of black lawyers in the country.
Edwards Angell UK escapes layoffs
Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge today (Thursday 13 March) become the latest US firm to lay off a group of associates.
EMW Law recruits ex-MAB chair to spearhead expansion
Milton Keynes firm EMW Law has scooped Matthew Arnold & Baldwin's (MAB) former chair and joint head of company commercial Moira Myers after MAB refocused its strategy on real estate.
Eversheds lures wind farm pioneer
Eversheds has dealt Bond Pearce a major blow with the hire of renewable energy star Marcus Trinick.
Eversheds procures new HR director
Eversheds has appointed Serco Group human resources chief Lucy Adams as its new HR director.
Exchange reaches 100-barrister tally
Exchange Chambers has become the latest set to reach the 100-barrister mark following five new barrister hires.
Farrers rejigs management post election
Farrer & Co's management board has undergone a shake-up following James Furber's election as senior partner.
Firms culled as Trillium picks panel
Land Securities Trillium (LST) has carried out a massive overhaul of its 36 relationship firms, jettisoning two-thirds of its advisers in favour of its first ever formal panel.
Firms package up Britton Group deal
Browne Jacobson, DLA Piper and Eversheds advised on the £77m secondary buyout of Britton Group by HSBC Private Equity and HSBC Bank.
Former GC Switalski wins discrimination case against F&C
F&C Asset Management is preparing to challenge a multi-million pound discrimination claim brought by its former head of legal services.
Fox Williams raid hits Faegre's London offering
Fox Williams has mounted a devastating raid on Faegre & Benson's London office as the US firm struggles to maintain its transatlantic footing.
Freshfields confirms Allen and Goetz hires from White & Case
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has voted to hire former White & Case banking partners Maurice Allen and Mike Goetz.
Freshfields creates HR partner role
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has appointed employment partner Caroline Stroud to the newly-created role of HR partner.
Freshfields' Crisp joins Saïd Business School
The former chief executive officer and managing partner of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Hugh Crisp, is leaving to chair the international advisory board of Oxford University's Saïd Business School.
Freshfields' management moves seats
A massive rearrangement of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer's London seating plans will see the firm's management team move en masse to the first floor of the firm's Fleet Street headquarters.
Freshfields partner quits to team with Neelie Kroes
Freshfields Brussels partner Vanessa Turner has been appointed to the European Commission, assisting the competition commissioner.
Fulbright promotes two London partners
Texas-based firm Fulbright & Jaworski has promoted two senior associates to partner in its London office, doubling last year's tally.
Hammonds boosts Madrid office with Ortega capture
Hammonds has ramped up its Madrid office with the hire of former Garrigues vice-chairman Antonio Ortega.
Heads roll in Dechert halls
Dechert halls" /DECHERT
High Court backs William Hill in gambling debt claim
Bookmaker William Hill won a High Court ruling today (12 March) that it did not exploit a punter's gambling addiction.
House of Lords throws out Norris extradition case
White & Case has won a landmark House of Lords victory that will undermine key points of the UK's extradition treaty with the US.
Janet Gaymer appointed an honorary QC
Simmons & Simmons’ first female senior partner Janet Gaymer has been appointed as honorary QC in the latest honoris causa awards.
Jumbos jettisoned
The deals may have become smaller, but a more cautious market means lawyers are being consulted more than ever.
Kennedys - they're on fire
When one door closes, another opens, so insurance firm Kennedys has learnt.
Kirkland confident despite loss of private equity ace
Kirkland & Ellis remained upbeat about the state of its London private equity practice last week, despite the admission that high-profile hire Raymond McKeeve is to part company with the firm (first revealed on www.the lawyer.com, 4 March).
Koc and bull
Like Tulkinghorn, some are blessed with names which positively roll off the tongue and improve each time one says or writes them down. Others are not.
Law firms storm the Sunday Times top places to work
Eleven per cent of The Times top 100 companies to work for in 2008 are law firms, four more than were on last year's list.
Lawyers cheer Budget's Islamic finance provisions
The Government has underlined its commitment to the Islamic finance sector, promising to examine the possibility of a sovereign sukuk as well as a consultation on stamp duty tax relief on alternative finance investment bonds.
Legal community slams Budget's non-doms policy
The Chancellor Alistair Darling has pushed ahead with plans to hit non-domiciled residents with a £30,000 annual tax, with the levy kicking in once they have lived in the UK for seven years.
Links and Jones Day instructed on tentative mining buyout
Linklaters and Jones Day have been handed key roles on a proposed mega-deal that would see the creation of a £20bn mining giant in Kazakhstan.
Little trouble in big China
Rigid foreign exchange policies have helped shield China from the worst effects of the US sub-prime crisis. By Han Qimeng and Marianne Ramel
London calling for Wilsons recruits
Charity specialist Wilsons is launching a recruitment drive, including for a new head of charity, ahead of a possible London opening.
London proves tough nut to crack as Halliwells culls lawyers
So Halliwells is the latest UK firm to respond to the credit crunch by laying off staff, following in the footsteps of Newcastle-based Dickinson Dees, which let 17 people go when major client Northern Rock's fortunes plummeted south.
Lovells leads the way in German private equity acquisition
Lovells has landed an instruction from German private equity house Deutsche Beteiligungs, advising on its €100m (£76.07m) acquisition of ICTS Europe Holdings.
LSC offers legal aid bar new VHCC contracts…
The Legal Services Commission (LSC) last week offered the legal aid bar another opportunity to sign the contracts for very high cost cases (VHCCs) after only 130 barristers joined the panel.
Lyceum Capital moots legal investment
Private equity fund Lyceum Capital has set up a dedicated committee to explore the possibility of investing in the legal profession once the Legal Services Act comes into force in 2011.
Maclay Murray & Spens sets its sights on London merger
Scottish-headquartered Maclay Murray & Spens has put London growth at the top of its strategic objectives and is on the lookout for a merger partner to bulk up its presence in the City.
McDermott boss 'delighted' to be stepping down
US firm McDermott Will & Emery has appointed energy partner Doron Ezickson to run its London office.
Mining your business
Despite power problems, South Africa's mining industry is flourishing and is playing a major part in the black economic empowerment scheme.
Mobile giant 3 scoops Clydes competition ace
Mobile phone operator 3 has raided Clyde & Co for competition lawyer Mark Warrington, who was the driving force in the UK's first consumer class action against JJB Sports.
Mourant partner defects to BakerPlatt
Offshore firm BakerPlatt has hired litigation partner David Wilson from Jersey rival Mourant.
Mourant ramps up Cayman dispute practice
Offshore firm Mourant du Feu & Jeune has further boosted its Cayman Islands practice with the hire of Maples and Calder associate Ziva Robertson and Matthew Arnold & Baldwin (MAB) senior associate Peter Hayden as partners.
National Grid's panel revamp leaves Pinsents in the cold
Utilities giant National Grid has revamped its general commercial panel, dropping Pinsent Masons and taking on Wragge & Co and Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) as full-service firms.
NautaDutilh boosts Luxembourg presence with new partners
Dutch firm NautaDutilh has boosted its Luxembourg office with a new partner from Linklaters.
New housing expert for Eversheds
Eversheds has appointed social housing partner Mitch Brown from Dickinson Dees to its Newcastle-based real estate office.
New strategy at Barclays
Following its failed bid for ABN Amro last year, Barclays Group has set a new strategic plan for its legal team in 2008.
Official: Allen, Goetz quit White & Case
The co-head of global banking at White & Case, Maurice Allen and London co-head, Mike Goetz, have resigned.
Paper view
The credit crunch is putting pressure on acquisition finance lawyers to tighten up their documentation.
Partner hire puts Gianni Origoni on recovery trail
Italian independent firm Gianni Origoni Grippo & Partners has made another step towards recovery, hiring corporate partner Marco Gubitosi from Lega Colucci & Associati.
Pfizer GC walks out
Pfizer has lost its general counsel after Allen Waxman left the world's biggest drug company citing personal reasons.
Powell Gilbert adds first new partner
IP boutique Powell Gilbert has made up its first partner, bringing the total number of partners to six at the year-old firm.
Rats the size of dogs
Rats the size of dogs 14-March-2008And now, the end is near, and so real estate lawyers face their final cocktail. Mipim is winding down, alas. While we in the UK have had to sit through the most boring Budget ever, property lawyers have been whooping it up down the Croisette.
Reed Smith wins UK Bebo role on AOL deal
The London office of Reed Smith Richards Butler has won a minor role in a major US technology deal, handling UK issues on AOL's acquisition of Bebo.
Report suggests corporate teams need litigators
The number of Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA)-related investigations and enforcements reached unprecedented levels last year, according to a recent report from Shearman & Sterling.
Sand Aire general counsel joins Withers
Withers has hired corporate and family specialist Rosalyn Breedy to its London office as head of counsel.
Separated at birth
Tulkinghorn notes that US firm Holland & Knight is preparing for a new managing partner after the incumbent, Howell Melton, stated his intention not to stand for re-election. One supposes his decision will allow him to spend more time with his family. But whether he will do so in the form of Howell Melton, lawyer, or Mrs Doubtfire, cross-dressing home help, is yet to be decided. Tulkinghorn's sources suggest he is preparing a ropey Scottish accent for the occasion.
Shearman, Sullivan, Cleary and Simpson gear up for sovereign funds
The top US firms are turning their attention to the sovereign wealth funds.
Shepherds has grand designs
Partners at Shepherd and Wedderburn are preparing to shell out £5m to finance the cost of moving to new headquarters in the Scottish capital.
Shoosmiths scores Thomas Cook coup
Travel giant Thomas Cook has appointed Shoosmiths as its main adviser for all procurement, employment and property work following its £3bn merger with MyTravel.
SIF to become insurance claims-handling provider
The Solicitors' Indemnity Fund (SIF) is to become an insurance claims-handling provider in an effort to keep insurance rates down.
SJ Berwin and Herbies act on Universal music selloff
SJ Berwin and Herbert Smith have landed roles advising on the disposal of European music publishing catalogues that include tracks from the likes of Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears.
South Africa
The introduction of black economic empowerment (BEE) legislation has helped increase integration in South Africa's key mining sector, with more than a quarter of mineral assets set to be in BEE hands by 2014.
Speechly to go open-plan in move to new offices
Speechly Bircham is preparing to move offices, with the City firm's partnership agreeing to an open-plan environment.
Taylor Wessing waits to complete China set
Taylor Wessing is set to open an office in Beijing as soon as the green light is given by the Chinese authorities.
The circle of life
Partnership may no longer be for life, but can there be happiness after the magic circle?
The Lawyer US Rev Counter
The Lawyer revenue counter for US firms
THE MIPIM BLOG 2008
Our man in Mipim brings you the latest news and gossip from the property industry’s mega-jamboree in Cannes. Who’s got the biggest yacht? Who’s consumed the most champagne? And how do the 25,000 delegates really feel about the depressed state of the real estate market?
The new power generation
Tulkinghorn is about as environmentally friendly as possible, seeing as he only leaves the comfort of his leather armchair to fill his brandy glass.
The rogue to ruin
Société Générale has become the latest victim of rogue trading, but after years of repeated systemic failure, regulations must respond and improve.
The saké of auld lang syne
As he may have mentioned, Tulkinghorn is partial to a fine brandy or a drop of port. That said, his tastes are very much old school European. Not so SimmonsCooperAndrew.
Travers partner boosts LG quest for Indian work
LG has hired Travers Smith partner Richard Marke in a bid to shore up its commerce and technology practice as the firm seeks to further develop its Indian client base.
Trio of silks fights insurance competition test case
Silks James Goudie QC, Nigel Giffin QC and John Howell QC and law firms Weightmans and Halliwells are acting in a test case over an insurance scheme that could save £150,000 for every council in England and Wales.
Turkish finance used in CC, Dickson Minto deal
Clifford Chance and Dickson Minto have won roles on Turkey's largest-ever private equity deal, which was funded entirely by local banks.
Using leverage
Six months on from Norton Rose's credit crunch survey, has the leveraged buyout market changed in line with predictions?
Waiting for Dubya
Hailing a taxi when the president is in town is not easy.
Web week
The Lawyer's Web Week is a weekly commentary on legal activity on the web. This includes an overview of the best of the week's blogs. If you want to direct us to useful links, email webweek@thelawyer. com.
White & Case faces fresh revolt over partner compensation
White & Case faces fresh revolt over partner compensation" /White & Case chairman Hugh Verrier is coming under increasing pressure this week to rejig the firm’s compensation structure for more junior partners in London in the wake of the dramatic resignations of Maurice Allen and Mike Goetz.
White & Case faces walkout as top partners move to quit
White & Case faces walkout as top partners move to quit" / White & Case is facing an unprecedented rebellion in its London office over New York's management approach, as two of its most successful finance partners prepare to quit if their views are not heard.
White & Case's charm offence
It takes a special sort of talent to foul up the goodwill generated by the most successful office in your global network.
Wilsons in Butterfly World launch
Wilsons has won the mandate to set up Butterfly World, a £25m butterfly dome near St Albans that will open this week.
Withers plans suit over Forsters' raid
Withers is threatening legal action against Forsters after the Mayfair firm hit the private client specialist with a second raid in six months.
