14 January 2008
The Lawyer
Ashurst boosts management committee
Ashurst boosts management committee" /Ashurst has bolstered its management committee, promoting litigation partner Ben Tidswell and corporate partner Reinhard Eyring.
A contentious year beckons
It's only halfway through January and it's already clear that the big action this year is going to be in contentious work. The Lawyer's annual pick of the top cases of the year (see story) is usually a must-read for litigators, but anyone with an interest in what will be making it into the business pages this year should read our preview.
A&O raids Shearman for global M&A head
Allen & Overy (A&O) has raided Shearman & Sterling for its global co-head of M&A.
Arnold & Porter shakes it up
Guess which firm is the latest to break cover and start making sabre-rattling noises about its New York growth plans?
Ashurst corporate boss to step down
Ashurst's London managing partner of corporate Roger Finbow has announced that he will retire in May 2009.
Aussie firm Slater makes sixth post-float acquisition
Australian firm Slater & Gordon has made its sixth acquisition since becoming the world's first law firm to float on a stock exchange.
AutoNation delivers GC for Domino's Pizza
Domino's Pizza has appointed AutoNation deputy legal chief Ken Rollin as its new general counsel.
Bindmans swoops on DLA for barrister hire
Human Rights specialist Bindman & Partners has hired barrister Neil McInnes from DLA Piper. McInnes, who is a specialist in serious fraud matters, will join Bindmans as an employed barrister later this month.
BLP real estate partner in shock resignation
Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) real estate partner Vinay Veneik has resigned amid allegations he concealed mistakes he made on transactions.
Brown Rudnick woos Addleshaws partner
US firm Brown Rudnick has hired the head of Addleshaw Goddard's corporate restructuring and insolvency group for its London office.
Burges Salmon scoops Pensions Regulator lawyer
Bristol firm Burges Salmon has appointed Clive Pugh as partner in its pensions team.
Cadwalader layoffs may spark copycats
The redundancies of 35 Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft US associates, announced last Thursday (10 Janaury), were triggered by extensive due diligence carried out by the firm with clients into the state of the real estate finance market.
CC recruits Commission top dog for Euro expertise
Clifford Chance has scored a coup with the hire of the European Commission's top legal official.
Clifford Chance claims win in Wembley roof row
Clifford Chance claims win in Wembley roof row" /Clifford Chance has won a partial Court of Appeal victory for Australian construction company Multiplex in the ongoing Wembley Stadium saga.
Clifford Chance makes post-Bloxham pensions overhaul
Clifford Chance makes post-Bloxham pensions overhaul" /Clifford Chance has voted through amendments to its pension package so all references to age are removed.
Clydes says US growth is 'urgent priority'
Clyde & Co's US insurance and reinsurance chief Michael Knoerzer has declared that expansion in the US is an urgent priority for the firm, which has hired a partner to boost its transatlantic presence.
CMS Netherlands elects new chairman
CMS Derks Star Busmann, the Dutch constituent of the CMS network, has revamped its management board after its chairman and financial director announced they are stepping down.
Conyers first offshore firm into Moscow
Conyers Dill & Pearman will push expansion plans in 2008 by becoming the first offshore firm to open a Moscow office.
Correction
The Lawyer Hot 100 (7 January) stated that Olswang made 10 lawyers redundant from its real estate department. In fact Olswang made 10 staff redundant, five of whom were lawyers.
Crown Estate rolls out energy panel plan
The Crown Estate is set to create its first-ever energy panel, a move that will give firms the opportunity to cash in on the Government's groundbreaking renewable energy projects.
David Raff: DLA Piper
What was your worst experience as a trainee?Losing a banker's draft for a quarter of a million pounds (thank you for your understanding John Cohen).
DMH Stallard secures London merger
DMH Stallard has swallowed up London-based company commercial firm Courts & Co as the South East's firms continue to consolidate.
DWS promotes 22 to senior associate
Denton Wilde Sapte (DWS) has promoted 22 to senior associate status across its global network.
Edwin Coe bulks up with triple partner hire
Lincoln's Inn-based Edwin Coe has taken on three non-equity partners to bring its other practice areas up to the strength of its traditional areas of insolvency and litigation.
Eversheds uses Tyco template to bag Brady's Emea work
Eversheds has won yet another Tyco-style coup, scoring the sole adviser role for US sign manufacturer Brady's Europe, Middle East and Africa (Emea) operations.
FFW leads on Midlands property sale
Field Fisher Waterhouse's (FFW) burgeoning real estate practice has won an instruction on a key transaction in the Midlands.
Firm profile: EMW Law
EMW Law has consolidated its four offices into one Milton Keynes location, from where it will attack London in a pincer movement.
Foot Anstey in Osprey key transformation
Foot Anstey has advised regeneration company Sutton Harbour Group on its successful bid to regenerate Osprey Quay in Portland in the South West.
Francis Taylor Building bags new QC
Francis Taylor Building (FTB), formerly 2 Harcourt Buildings, has bagged 4-5 Gray's Inn Square's Richard Humphreys QC.
Freshfields makes fresh push on Middle East practice
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer will parachute its former London head of finance into the Middle East as part of a renewed focus on the region.
Fulbright boosts Dubai office
Texas-based firm Fulbright & Jaworski has ramped up its Middle Eastern capabilities with the hire of one partner and the reassignment of another into its Dubai office.
Gide banks on emerging markets to spread risk
GIDE Loyrette Nouel, France's largest independent firm, has made up four partners in its international network in Algiers, Beijing, Belgrade and Kiev.
Goodbodys and Dundas lead on SSE energy deals
A&L Goodbody and Dundas & Wilson have scooped key roles in two back-to-back renewable energy acquisitions by FTSE 100 client Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE).
Gordons
Despite its small size, Yorkshire-based firm Gordons offers promising career prospects to those living in or looking to move to the region.
Halliwells continues DLA Piper sorties
Halliwells has hired another partner from DLA Piper as it continues an ongoing assault on its larger rival.
Hammonds battle begins
Hammonds and its former partners finally go into battle in a £3m profit dispute at their first case management conference on Friday 18 January.
Hammonds cements Alba tie with sell-off work
Hammonds has advised consumer electronics business Alba in two recent sell-offs, including a 50 per cent stake in Grundig Multimedia.
Hammonds chief plans to unite international offices
Hammonds managing partner Peter Crossley has vowed that his re-election will see the implementation of his 'one firm' strategy.
Hammonds wins new pension client in Birmingham
Hammonds pensions team has won a new instruction from engineering company IMI, adding to a wave of high-profile instructions for the practice group.
Heavyweights ready to rumble
The must-read for litigators: last year was busy, but with plenty of loose ends to tie up and new battles on the horizon, 2008 should prove to be a knockout
Hogan & Hartson hikes Paris tax team
Hogan & Hartson has snared Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom's French tax head as a partner in its tax group.
Hong Kong plans new Companies Bill
In order to modernise Hong Kong’s company law, a new Companies Bill is planned for consultation in mid-2009.
In-housers: stop complaining and do something about it
In-house counsel have once again expressed dismay at the "hugely inflated" rates charged by their external lawyers (The Lawyer, 19 November 2007).
Insolvency
Insolvency practitioners have started rubbing their hands with glee now that the credit crunch has seemingly started to bite. As yet there has not been a dramatic economic downturn in the UK and the global economy - although teetering on the brink - is still holding its own.
Insolvency: Forewarned is forearmed
Don't be fooled - the present economic climate in the UK is merely the calm before the storm. Patricia Godfrey reports on the tough times ahead
Insolvency: See fairer
Insolvency and fraud often go hand-in-hand and bring up subsequent investigatory hurdles. This is where the Insolvency Act's Section 236 orders come into their own. By Philip Marshall
Insolvency: When the levy breaks
Can Chapter 11 ever be the more attractive option? The Pension Protection Fund's levy on defined pension schemes may go some way towards making this a reality. Carolyn Swain reports
Investing in coaches
Coaching is becoming increasingly popular in law firms, with lawyers opting for one-to-one sessions that focus on their specific needs rather than the 'sheep dip' approach of training courses.
It's all gone Pete Tong
Regional firm DWF should certainly win an award for the most cringeworthy ad ever published for its latest piece of marketing.
Juridica attracts investment as the first specialist litigation fund to float in UK
What do Coventry FC and a litigation funder have in common? Not much, other than they are both benefiting from the largesse of a hedge fund with an eye for canny investments, Sisu Capital.
Keeping up with Equal Opportunities
2007 was the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All. According to the European Commission, the aim was "to make people more aware of their rights to enjoy equal treatment and a life free of discrimination".
Law Soc gives Nottingham at Kaplan top marks
Nottingham Law at Kaplan Law School's Legal Practice Course (LPC) has won top marks across the board from the Law Society.
Lester Aldridge brings in four
Lester Aldridge brings in four" /South coast firm Lester Aldridge has hired four new lawyers, including a partner.
London comes out top in DLA Piper partner promotion round
DLA Piper has promoted litigation lawyers Miriam Gonzalez and Tom Canning, who both feature in this year's The Lawyer Hot 100, to its partnership.
Lovells legend Hugh Nineham quits for McDermott
McDermott Will & Emery has hired Lovells corporate icon Hugh Nineham to become its European and London corporate head.
Lovells' loss of Nineham sees rivals anticipating big-ticket incursions
Hugh Nineham's name has been synonymous with Lovells' corporate practice since, as its head, he was credited with masterminding its resurgence at the turn of the century.
Mayer Brown bags top EC lawyer
Mayer Brown has bagged a senior official from the European Commission's competition arm, the second firm to tap the Commission in the space of a week.
Miners hit by compensation failures
Sick miners and their families are losing out on compensation they are entitled to because of administrative failures, according to a critical report by Legal Services Complaints Commissioner Zahida Manzoor.
Mistletoe and overtime
It seems the US work ethic was alive and well during the Christmas break. Not for US firms the luxury of a fortnight off work where the toughest decision to be made concerns which flavour of Quality Street to plump for.
Never Forget... we won't in a hurry
Times may have changed since Tulkinghorn's own first job - washing gin bottles in a workhouse during the glorious reign of HRH Victoria - but it is still hard graft as an Eversheds trainee. The long hours, the due diligence, the dressing up as a choirboy to sing '90s boy band hits.
New French corporate boutique launched
Eight French lawyers have left their firms to set up a corporate boutique called Redlink, creating a new contender in the crowded Paris legal market.
NHS faces landmark case on equal pay agreement
The NHS is facing a landmark test case that could pave the way for more than 800,000 equal pay claims, which will run parallel to recent high-profile claims against local authorities.
OFT's bank charge proceedings get underway
The Office of Fair Trading's (OFT) High Court test case about "unfair" bank overdraft charges has got underway.
Olswang in for the Long haul
Olswang has made a major long-term investment in its telecoms practice with the hire of ex-Mayer Brown partner Rob Bratby.
Olswang ups tax nous with Sidley hire
Olswang has appointed Gerald Montagu from Sidley Austin as a partner in the tax team as part of an expansion drive that includes bringing in three new associates.
Osborne Clarke's green tinge secures eco-village job
Bristol firm Osborne Clarke will advise Barratt Homes on the construction of the country's first eco-village after helping it win the Government contract.
Pannone management rejig sees new managing partner
Pannone has launched a new management structure, with sweeping changes that will see Joy Kingsley step down from the managing partner role after 14 years and the establishment of the first board in more than a decade.
People moves: Round up
Dickinson Dees' York office has hired Steven Berry as a retail property specialist in its commercial property department from Andrew M Jackson, where he was a salaried partner.
Pillsbury to clean up City mess
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman is gearing up to follow last week's posting of solid 2007 financial results with an all-out assault on the UK market.
Pinsents pushes construction team
Pinsent Masons in Birmingham has scooped a partner and an associate from its regional rivals in a bid to build up its construction team to deal with an increase in work in the sector.
Pinsents: only law firm in top 100 gay-friendly table
Pinsent Masons is the most gay-friendly law firm in the UK, a survey by gay rights group Stonewall has found.
PM takes Popham to China
Clifford Chance senior partner Stuart Popham is accompanying prime minister Gordon Brown on his current trip to India and China as the only representative of the legal profession.
Popham and the PM
Popham and the PM18-Jan-2008Let us just take a moment to applaud Stuart Popham, the delightful senior partner of Clifford Chance.
Private equity: Cash and Tom, Dick or Harry
The private equity and investment gangs better look at the small print of the Legal Services Act if they're thinking of partnering with law firms.
Reed Smith tips 2008 to be bumper year
Reed Smith tips 2008 to be bumper year" /Reed Smith chairman and managing partner Greg Jordan predicted that the firm would break the $1bn (£510m) turnover barrier and add another 10 per cent to average profit per equity partner (PEP) in 2008.
Revenue hike makes E&Y ninth-largest firm in Spain
Ernst & Young Abogados in Spain has broken through the e50m (£37.3m) mark for the first time, posting a 14.2 per cent revenue hike.
Salans expands Turkish operation
Salans has boosted its presence in Turkey by swallowing up two smaller local legal outfits.
Salans launches London arbitration practice
Salans is set to launch an arbitration practice in London on Thursday (17 January).
Salans' record year sees PEP double
Salans is set to double its average profit per equity partner to more than £850,000 after a record year in which revenue rose by more than a third.
Sarah Booth: Sodexho Group
Service provider Sodexho has overhauled its legal function in the past few years to cope with the challenges of a diverse business.
Separated at birth
What are the qualities that make a successful managing partner? Or an OBE-bagging business supremo steering a firm with national ambitions? Well, an affable and reassuring manner must be pretty high on the list.
Sex in the City
Most lawyers expect to have acknowledgments in legal textbooks, but not so for Linklaters' corporate partner Roger Barron.
SJ Berwin scoops British Land sale
SJ Berwin has advised long-standing client British Land on the exchange and sale of the Clifton Moor Industrial Estate for £33m.
Slaughters overhauls management team; new senior partner speaks out
Slaughter and May is facing a wholesale change of leadership as head of corporate Chris Saul is elected as senior partner.
Step forward for China
The China legal services market has entered an important new stage.
The art of selecting experts
Instructing the ‘right’ expert is often no easy task. Whilst guidance has been provided to those instructing experts, there remain a myriad of practical problems for practitioners.
The play's the thing
As must be obvious by now, Tulkinghorn's spies are everywhere. Including the Stock Exchange Dramatic and Opera Society, known to insiders as Sedos.
The recipe for in-house legal success?
The retirement of BP's legal chief Peter Bevan highlights a generational shift taking place behind coveted corporate legal budgets.
Vos takes on charity role for students
Former Bar Council chair Geoffrey Vos QC has taken over from Oliver Letwin MP as the chair of a charity for students from less privileged backgrounds wanting to enter professions including law.
Wales of justice
There's lots of talk about cultural diversity in the law, so three cheers for the Courts Service, which this week announced that Welsh speakers will be encouraged to use their mother tongue in magistrates' courts.
Ward Hadaway continues expansion with fourth Eversheds hire
Newcastle-based Ward Hadaway has hired an Eversheds corporate partner.
Web week
Fee degrees
XXIV falls prey to Wilberforce recruitment drive
Commercial and chancery set Wilberforce Chambers has raided XXIV Old Buildings for the second time in two months.
