11 October 2010
The Lawyer
Tulkinghorn: Move over Don, there are new suits in town
Back in July you may recall that Kennedys marked the opening of its Sheffield office by producing a thrilling music video of its lawyers miming - yet still somehow managing to massacre - Queen’s classic hit Don’t Stop Me Now.
A question of Chance
Next week we’ll publish our third annual global litigation report. As you read this we’re still putting the finishing touches to the ranking of the world’s leading firms by litigation turnover.
Addleshaws team exit fails to deter Berezovsky
Addleshaw Goddard has retained Boris Berezovsky as a client despite the exit of litigation head Simon Twigden, who led the team acting for the Russian oligarch.
Aegis Media GC promoted to group role
Aegis Media general counsel (GC) Simon Zinger has been promoted to the newly created role of GC at Aegis Group.
Allen & Overy boss Morley moves to Germany
Allen & Overy senior partner David Morley has relocated to Germany for a month as the firm seeks to increase its footprint in Europe’s largest market.
BBL focuses on Olympics with EMW hire
The British Basketball League (BBL) has appointed EMW Picton Howell as its sole legal adviser.
BHP Law
North East firm BHP Law prides itself on its ability to provide a wide range of services for its predominantly regionally based clients.
Cautious optimism for global M&A after third-quarter hike in deal value
A sluggish global M&A market is showing signs of life, according to latest data on third-quarter deal activity.
CC and Freshfields land roles on £1.3bn AZ Electronic IPO
Clifford Chance and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer have bagged roles on what could become one of the biggest private equity- backed initial public offerings (IPO) of 2010.
City lawyers fear two-tier regulation will leave London out in the cold
Plans for the future of the UK Listings Authority are causing concern, says Gavriel Hollander
Clyde & Co hires to build NY insurance unit
Clyde & Co has appointed partner Robert Ansehl to build a corporate insurance practice in its New York office.
Corporates should explore the Islamic finance route
While the first UK corporate sukuk, issued on behalf of International Innovative Technologies, may have been relatively small in terms of volume, it is hoped that its effect on the Islamic finance market in the UK will be significant.
Equality Act will spark a ‘wave’ of work claims
Lawyers predict that he implementation of the Equality Act will lead to a rise in employment disputes as they take to the courts to test the boundaries of the legislation.
Eversheds restructures to avoid brand confusion
Volume business LSG to be tied in with litigation and real estate areas
Eversheds snaps up ex-Severn Trent GC
Eversheds has hired former Severn Trent general counsel Clive Mottram as a member of its water practice.
Exchange Chambers adds to Leeds office
North West set Exchange Chambers has added three members and a senior clerk to its nascent Leeds office.
Exposed: Taylor Wessing’s focus on image
Most firms probably would not want to be associated with photographs of drug-addicted prostitutes and half-naked women, but for Taylor Wessing it is a case of any publicity is good publicity.
Focus on Lone Star state as merger plans take shape
?Merger-mania hit the US late last month as two potentially market-changing deals broke cover in less than a week. Then, within 24 hours, one collapsed.
Focus: Clifford Chance, Reborn in the USA
Clifford Chance has had a tough time of it across the pond, with its litigation practice suffering while competitors have prospered. But now the firm is adopting a rebuilding strategy intended to make it a force to be reckoned with
Freeth Cartwright remains optimistic about debt levels
Top 100 firm Freeth Cartwright has a “reasonable expectation” that it will continue as a going concern despite being heavily reliant on overdraft facilities to meet its working capital needs.
Gide snares A&O and Hogan Lovells high-flyers to boost Moscow office
Gide Loyrette Nouel has expanded its Moscow office by hiring an associate from Allen & Overy (A&O) and one from Hogan Lovells, and installing them as partners.
Hammonds takes on ex-Simmons partner
Hammonds has recruited former Simmons & Simmons partner Mark Norris as head of its London banking practice.
HBJ Gateley Wareing acts for Lancs CCC on refurb
HBJ Gateley Wareing has picked up the mandate to act for Lancashire County Cricket Club on the redevelopment of its Old Trafford ground.
Homing instinct: Gordon Moir, GHA
From eviction disputes to giving residents a greater say in housing issues, GHA company secretary Gordon Moir is relishing the challenges of his latest role. Andrew Pugh reports
M Law sues client over unpaid Jacko case fees
Media boutique M Law has launched a claim against former client Matthew Fiddes over unpaid fees worth £1.3m.
On the move
The head of Hogan Lovells’ German banking practice has left the firm for partnership at German independent Noerr.
Optimism as Addleshaws unfreezes salaries
Addleshaw Goddard has restructured its non-partner bonus arrangement after nobody received the payment last year and, in a sign of greater optimism, has also ended a two-year salary freeze.
PE house goes Weil for in-house role
Private equity house Blackstone Group has beefed up its in-house legal offering with the appointment of corporate associate Geoffrey Bailhache from Weil Gotshal & Manges.
Revenues flow back
Despite poor M&A results in 2010 Dutch lawyers believe private equity and refinancing will keep them afloat, says James Swift
Royal Dutch Shell appoints legal director
Royal Dutch Shell has hired a new legal director to take over from incumbent Beat Hess, who retires in January.
Schultze & Braun launches Paris arm to bolster French presence and woo US clients
German insolvency specialist Schultze & Braun has set up an office in Paris.
Scottish uprising
Scottish firms are gearing up for a better time after two years in the doldrums, says Margaret Taylor
Shearman plans a radical strategy rethink to boost litigation revenue
Firm targeting US and Europe for growth as it looks to make up ground on rivals. By Matt Byrne
SJ Berwin Paris fund contingent nabs leading role on AIP close
SJ Berwin’s Paris funds team has secured the lead role acting for BNP Paribas-backed Antin Infrastructure Partners (AIP) on the close of a e1.1bn (£0.95bn) fund.
Skadden helps SocGen fight off US subprime class action
Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom has successfully defended Société Générale (SocGen) in a class action that alleged the bank violated US securities law and misled investors over its exposure to subprime mortgages.
TLT Solicitors gains place on Interserve property panel
TLT solicitors has won a place on Interserve’s two-firm property support panel, replacing Eversheds, which opted not to tender.
Work Life Quiz: John Machell, Serle Court
What was your first ever job?Saturday job in a sports shop. My best friend and I were nearly sacked when we dressed up in ski gear, stood in the window pretending to be mannequins and made small children jump.
