12 September 2005
The Lawyer
Deals round-up
Pinsent Masons, led by partners Martin Shaw and Andrew Black, has advised longstanding engineering client IMI on the £293m disposal of its plastic pipes subsidiary Polypipe Building Products to New York-based private equity fund Castle Harlan. The disposal by IMI is the last in a series identified by the company four years ago as part of a strategic repositioning, which has seen the company move ...
8 New Square loses Kitchin to the bench
Patent star David Kitchin QC has capped off a brilliant year with an appointment as a High Court judge in the Chancery Division, it was announced last week.
A&O to shake up partner reviews
The new system, which is being utilised for the first time this month, is set out in a document seen by The Lawyer entitled 'Framework for Measuring Partner Performance'
A&O's Keal exits for Simpson Thacher
Allen & Overy (A&O) heavyweight Tony Keal is moving to US firm Simpson Thacher & Bartlett after 23 years at the magic circle firm.
Allied Domecq counsel gets axe after takeover
Quaranto, who joined Allied Domecq as general counsel and company secretary in August 2001, will be leaving the company at the end of October
Amgen's adviser panel downsized after review
Amgen's new European general counsel Robert Sexton has slashed the company's list of preferred advisers following a widescale Continental review of the biotechnology giant's law firms.
An equal partnership
With the introduction of the Civil Partnership Act, those in same-sex relationships will have the same privileges as heterosexual married couples. Julian Washington reports
Baker & McKenzie captures Coudert New York
Baker & McKenzie has finally signed up the majority of Coudert Brothers’ New York office.
Beachcrofts looks at FSA Arrow visits
Beachcroft Wansbrough's financial services division is launching the first-ever independent research into the effects of the Financial Services Authority's (FSA) 'Arrow' visits.
Belgium, Italy under fire for non-liberalisation
The European Commission has slammed Belgium and Italy, claiming that the two countries have made no efforts whatsoever to liberalise their legal systems.
Bell & Scott refocuses on commercial property
Scottish firm Bell & Scott is relaunching itself as a commercial property boutique just a month after spinning off its two-partner private client team to niche private client firm Pagan Osborne.
Bircham gets new managing partner
Bircham Dyson Bell head of company and commercial Guy Vincent has been confirmed as the firm's new managing partner following an uncontested election.
Bird & Bird recruits for Madrid launch
The technology firm's new Spanish office, its thirteenth base, is headed by Javier Fernández-Samaniego, a former Linklaters managing associate and head of Linklaters' IT and communications (ITC) team in Madrid, who joins as a partner
BNP Paribas appoints North American legal chief
BNP Paribas has appointed a new general counsel for North America.
Careers: In brief
The International Bar Association, which aims to influence the development of international law and shape the legal profession, will be holding its annual conference in Prague from 25-30 September 2005. The conference will feature more than 150 working sessions, covering topics such as antitrust, corporate, criminal, aviation and energy law.
Careers: People
Milwaukee firm Foley & Lardner has appointed Carl Rosenfield as of counsel in the health law department. Rosenfield, who joins the Boston office from private practice, previously served as deputy general counsel and advocacy office director for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
Caubet partners peel off to create new firm
French firm Caubet Chouchana Meyer has collapsed after four partners quit to launch a rival boutique, leaving founding partner Jean Paul Chouchana to go solo.
CC sees Oger Telecom through its acquisition of Türk Telecom
Clifford Chance lands $2.6bn eBay takeover
Clifford Chance has landed its second major deal for eBay after securing a mandate to advise the online auction site on its massive US$2.6bn acquisition of Skype Technologies.
Covington provides back-up for Paralympic Committee
The London office of US firm Covington & Burling is advising the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) at next year's Winter Paralympic Games in Torino on a pro bono basis. The firm had two lawyers in Athens for the 2004 Paralympics to advise the IPC, the international governing body of sports for disabled athletes, on a number of issues for its three-week duration.
Deacons HK makes headway in China with third mainland office
The move follows the Chinese Ministry of Justice's decision to relax the rules limiting the number of offices that foreign firms are allowed to have on the mainland
Deals Comment
DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary and Travers Smith have taken the lead in a prospective bidding war for bookstore chain Ottakar's after securing roles advising the management buyout (MBO) team and Phoenix Equity Partners respectively. They won the mandates after the chain's founders launched a £79m MBO bid late last month ...
DLA, Orrick in feud over Beijing swoop
Orrick pays $1m for key China office but lawyers decamp to DLA; licence in doubt
Faculty of Advocates provides 9 Gough Square with new chief executive
Common law set 9 Gough Square has picked up a new chief executive after the retirement of longstanding incumbent Joanna Poulton.
Firm profile: Marks & Clerk
Managing partner: Mark Blair Fee income: £2.5m Total number of partners: Three Total number of fee-earners: Nine Main practice areas: Specialist IP Key clients: BMW, First Choice Holidays, Interflora, Lucasfilm and MedImmune Number of offices: One Location: London
For the record
In The Lawyer UK 100 Annual Report 2005, the clients attributed to Trowers & Hamlins were actually Dickinson Dees'. The Lawyer is happy to correct the mistake.
Freshfields in turnaround bid with corporate facelift
As first revealed on www.thelawyer.com, the shake-up will see the group restructured along four sector lines instead of the previous seven groups
Glass does all-white Guinness
More great cocktails and spectacular views were on show last Wednesday night (7 September) at Glass Consultancy's late summer bash.
Grapevine
Cautious Ince takes bold Middle East step The Middle East rush is far from over.
Halliwells in third raid on DLA Piper
DLA Piper" /
Hammonds bullish as Football League pursues £150m claim
Hammonds set to seal the deal with Rossotto
In May, The Lawyer revealed that Italian managing partner Riccardo Rossotto had delayed the full integration of the 2002 merger between Hammonds and Rossotto e Associati
Hey big spenders
It's not all about profits. An equally important measure of a law firm's health is cost control. Matt Byrne reports on how three firms in this year's top 100 put the lid on their outgoings
Honesty is the best policy
Oh, the misplaced arrogance of Norton Rose. For those of you who've missed it so far, there's been a row between the firm and the fourth estate about whether the firm's published financials are accurate. Norton Rose has adjusted this year's revenue figure from £210m to £205m, while the turnover figures for the last couple of years have been revealed to be… er… optimistic.
Ivory shunting
Staying with all last week's parties, Ince & Co pulled in around 600 revellers to drink green cocktails and champers at its new St Katharine Docks home. Like FFW's bash, the views were pretty spectacular, with the Tower of London basking in the late evening light.
Kennedys pencils in Madrid October merger
Insurance specialist Kennedys is firming up its five-year relationship with associated Madrid firm Araúz de Robles Y Vélez Abogados (ARV) with an October merger.
Kirkland launches second raid on Shearman
Kirkland & Ellis has made a second raid on the London office of Shearman & Sterling for a three-person litigation and arbitration team.
Law Soc president joins clamour for government spending
Law Society president Kevin Martin has called for urgent government investment in the the Commercial Court.
Leeds Met challenges BPP over 'Leeds Law School' brand
Leeds Met raised objections to the way BPP, which recently won the exclusive contract to provide the LPC to the five-strong City consortium, has heralded the opening of its Leeds base
Legal Widow
You know, there was once a time when going back to school meant a new pencil case," said the Lawyer as he signed for the upgrade on Subjudice's mobile phone.
Linklaters ramps up Amsterdam
Linklaters has continued its campaign to develop a notable Dutch practice by raiding former ally and local market leader Nauta Dutilh to hire corporate partner Peter Goes.
Lovells streamlines management
Lovells is radically overhauling its international executive in a move that will result in the number of partners sitting on the City firm’s main leadership body being slashed.
Making up partners
How heartwarming it was to see Wayne Rooney and David Beckham make up so publicly on the pitch last week after their first-half fall-out during the calamitous (for England fans at least) England v Ireland game. Hugs and kisses all round.
Mason Hayes pulls off double hire
Dublin firm Mason Hayes & Curran has continued its rapid growth with two lateral hires in less than a month.
Nabarros joins online gaming bonanza with Empire Online
Nabarros joins online gaming bonanza with Empire Online" /
Nigeria justice minister pledges reforms
The 50th anniversary Commonwealth Law Conference kicked off this morning (Monday 12 September) with a keynote speech by the Nigerian Minister of Justice and Attorney-General, Chief Bayo Ojo.
Norton Rose scoops Orrick shipping star
Norton Rose scoops Orrick shipping star" /
Opinion
The value of professional opinion was championed in the Court of Appeal case Burke v GMC
Outer Temple barrister puts three away for tax fraud
Outer Temple Chambers barrister Robert-Jan Temmink has secured three convictions for the Serious Fraud Office after a trial that demonstrated a jury's ability to understand complicated fraud cases.
Paul Hastings launches second Norton Rose raid
Paul Hastings Janofsky & Walker has raided Norton Rose’s Italian practice for a three-lawyer team to bolster its fledgling Milan office.
Paul Hastings merges with Taiyo in Japan
Paul Hastings Janofksy & Walker has become the latest foreign firm to merge with a domestic Japanese firm following reforms introduced earlier this year.
Reed Smith to ditch Midlands property, debt recovery teams
The US firm has announced to staff in its Coventry office that the nine-strong debt recovery team, led by litigation partner Larry Coltman, will split from the firm by the end of the year
San Diego dumps Vinson from council fraud probe
San Diego's city council has dropped Vinson & Elkins from a Securities and Ex-change Commission (SEC) investigation into allegations of securities fraud by municipal officials.
Separated at birth
Series of fraud trial blunders sparks plans to cut legal aid
Complex criminal fraud trials are running over-time and over-budget.
Shore things?
Some believe their days are numbered, but offshore trusts could well be due a renaissance. Andrew Penney investigates
Skadden warns US off gaming IPOs
Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom is warning investment banks to avoid flotations in the booming online poker sector.
Skandia goes with Skadden
Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom has bagged Skandia as a new client.
Spread a little happiness
Squire Sanders hikes Latin American presence with Steel Hector marriage
US law firm Squire Sanders & Dempsey beat almost a dozen firms to secure its merger with Miami-based Steel Hector & Davis last week, creating one of the first global firms with a strong presence in Latin America.
Stephensons bolsters banking and asset finance with Camerons hire
Stephenson Harwood has bolstered its banking and asset finance capabilities with the hire of Christopher St John Smith from CMS Cameron McKenna.
Strategy gulf spells end of Eversheds, Khattar tie
Eversheds, Khattar tie" /
Susan Launi: Fitch Ratings
Fitch Ratings' senior European counsel Susan Launi knows that no rating agency is perfect, but argues that outside regulation is the wrong way to go. By Lorraine Cushnie
Suspicious minds
Last week a large group of litigators from Barlow Lyde & Gilbert had a bit of a team-bonding lunch before the new court term kicked off. Once the well-lubricated lunch was over, a partner suggested further entertainment at that popular Frith Street hangout the Karaoke Box.
TfL raids Hewlett-Packard for new legal head
Transport for London (TfL) has raided Hewlett-Packard for a new director of legal and compliance.Gareth John who joined TfL this week will be responsible for a broad range of legal issues including dispute resolution, employment, property, commercial and public law issues.While at Hewlett-Packard John was head of legal for the UK and Ireland. He has recently completed a spell on secondment at Hewlett-Packard's US headquarters.
The work-life quiz
Joanna Kennedy, head of dispute, Collyer-Bristow
The world's ends
The EU green paper on succession and wills is intended to harmonise cross-border rules on inheritance, but as Murray Hallam reports, each country still has its own ideas
Top bananas go green over Gherkin
A trainee's lot is not a happy one, especially when rank is pulled.
Vote confirms desire to split Law Soc
The UK's lawyers have voted through The Law Society's proposal to take the resposibilty for regulation away from the Law Society Council.
Wall Street banks shun online gaming floats
Online gaming IPOs are being hampered by uncertainty over the US stance. By Husnara Begum
Winston & Strawn faces $40m negligence lawsuit
US firm Winston & Strawn is being sued for nearly $40m (£21.7m) by the city council of a town in New York State for providing bad advice on a trash-hauling deal in the mid-1990s.
