10 May 2010
The Lawyer
Applications for vac schemes skyrocket
Graduate recruitment partners have reported a marked increase in applications for vacation scheme placements this year as competition for training contracts soars.
Ashurst, Simpson Thacher lead on Candover takeover
Ashurst and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett have bagged leading roles on the proposed takeover of private equity firm Candover by Canadian pension fund Alberta Investment Management Company (Aimco).
Beachcroft reshuffles regional management
Beachcroft has revamped its regional management line-up and expanded its management board.
BLG makes £20m saving with 10-year lease on HQ
Barlow Lyde & Gilbert (BLG) has secured a 10-year lease on its London headquarters, making a saving of more than £20m over the next decade.
Bryan Cave reprioritises its search for a merger partner in the City
New London managing partner installed to target international growth. By Matt Byrne
CC, Weil secure Warburg Pincus’s £200m acquisition of Poundland
Clifford Chance and Weil Gotshal & Manges have taken prime roles on the all-equity sale of Poundland to US-based private equity house Warburg Pincus.
English briefs join jet set as chambers go global
“Having a permanent base abroad with a permanent barrister situated there is really the key to success internationally. If you don’t have that then you don’t have any credibility,” states Nicholas Luckman, senior practice manager at XXIV Old Buildings.
Ex-Landmark senior clerk joins Outer Temple
The Former senior clerk at Landmark Chambers Stephen Graham has come out of retirement to join Outer Temple Chambers as its business development director.
Five make director in Dickie Dees reshuffle
North East firm Dickinson Dees has promoted five of its associates to director level across its pensions, property, corporate recovery and public services departments.
Fladgate litigator adds to Kobre’s Brit pack
Fladgate litigator Simon Cullingworth has joined the London office of US trial lawyers Kobre & Kim.
Focus: Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, The truth will out
No firm in the Sweet Sixteen typifies the downturn and recovery more than Simpson Thacher. After a gloomy 2009, it’s bullish about 2010
Focus: Vivian Robinson QC, SFO, Serious issues
With its very existence hanging in the balance, the SFO is demanding the powers necessary for it to do its job so that it can then be taken seriously
Found in translation: Catherine Palmer, Joseph
If you’ve ever been on the Eurostar, Catherine Palmer’s voice will not be new to you. But as Tom Phillips discovers, the legal director of fashion retailer Joseph is not just a pretty voice
Latham and A&O emerge as biggest hirers and firers
The two global firms believed to have made the most redundancies over the past two years have also been the most active in the recruitment market, figures obtained by The Lawyer reveal.
Latham laterals come good with Norsk Hydro instruction
Latham & Watkins’ recent push into the recruitment market has already paid dividends after the US firm secured the lead role for new client Norsk Hydro on its $4.19bn (£2.78bn) acquisition of Vale’s aluminium business.
Legal political aspirants fall by wayside in election
The potential parliamentary candidates (PPCs) highlighted in The Lawyer (19 April) may be going back to their day jobs after all six failed to win seats.
Links’ Lisbon office axes six associates as Portugal gears up for difficult year
The faltering Portuguese economy has forced Linklaters to cut half a dozen associates from its Lisbon office as the country’s lawyers warn of a tough year ahead.
MAB and McGrigors act on Asda’s partnership with website
Matthew Arnold & Baldwin (MAB) and McGrigors have advised on an agreement between supermarket giant Asda and price comparison website mysupermarket.co.uk.
Marks & Clerk Solicitors
Specialist IP firm Marks & Clerk Solicitors may be small, but it is proving more than able to compete with the larger City players.
Marrache & Co founders steeled for £34m bankruptcy ruling
The founding partners of Gibraltar law firm Marrache & Co face bankruptcy as claims against the firm rise to £34m.
McGrigors swoops for Hammonds trio
Hammonds international head of construction and engineering David Moss has quit the firm and is taking two partners to McGrigors’ Manchester office.
Opinion: Broker battle judgment highlights recruitment woes
The judgment in the long-running feud between rival inter-dealer brokers Tullett Prebon and BGC Brokers over the poaching of Tullett staff was handed down on 18 March.
People Moves
Norton Rose has raided Clifford Chance for corporate counsel Nick Dingemans who will join the firm’s Moscow office.
Proskauer funds team to drive SJ Berwin talks
After Orrick rejection, SJ Berwin targets global private equity via US tie-up
Risk of lawyer uninsurability ahead of SRA reform
Lawyers could become an uninsurable risk if the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) fails to reform the professional indemnity (PI) insurance regulations.
SRA vs insurers as assigned risks pool governance proves sticking point
Relations between the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and solicitors’ professional indemnity insurers have soured in recent weeks, resulting in underwriters calling for a radical overhaul of the sector.
Taking an Afghani stand
“I had already designed my future and Afghanistan was in it as part of my list of things to do before I turn 25,” says 22-year-old Natasha Latiff.
The Lawyer Awards corporate shortlisters defy the downturn
A wide range of deals in face of adversity creates contenders.
Trouble indemnity
Pay attention at the back: it’s time to talk about professional indemnity insurance for law firms.
Trust issues
When a trustee is aware of all beneficiaries and creditors, matters of trust can be plain sailing. Fenner Moeran looks at what happens when things don’t go according to plan
Tulkinghorn: V for Victory?
Tulkinghorn is not a big fan of toilet humour, but was nevertheless amused to discover that a leading London chambers proved, in its submission to this year’s Lawyer Awards, that it can’t spell ’privy council’ (note the single ’v’, guys).
White & Case pushes into Asia via Moscow
White & Case is strengthening its Moscow office in a bid to make it a ’gateway to Asia’.
Work Life Quiz: Philip Sinel, Sinels
If you weren’t a lawyer what would you have been? A spook.
