15 June 2009
The Lawyer
Addleshaws 19 partners lighter since start of year
Nineteen Addleshaw Goddard partners have resigned from the firm’s LLP since January 2009, with the corporate practice bearing the brunt of the losses.
Apple goes rotten for CC as NY litigation team falls apart
It is mass exodus time at Clifford Chance New York. Eight months ago, and a year after the UK-headquartered firm laid off a handful of structured finance associates, it embarked on its first major round of layoffs in the US. When it was over, 20 litigation associates had gone.
Appleby closes in on Dickinson Cruickshank merger
Offshore giant Appleby is to merge with Isle of Man firm Dickinson Cruickshank to create the world’s largest offshore firm in terms of partner numbers.
Courier girl: Rachael Hambrook, DHL Express
As head of legal for DHL Express, Rachael Hambrook is making sure her legal team is part and parcel of the success of the business.
Cubism Law
The Legal Services Act has got all sorts of people in the legal market excited, but few more so than former Field Fisher Waterhouse (FFW) partner Andrew Pena, the man behind Cubism Law.
DLA Piper reshapes partnership make-up
Five DLA Piper partners left the partnership last month as the firm continues to reshape its UK practice.
DLA piper, CC lead on A&O HQ sell-off
Clifford Chance and DLA Piper have advised on Hammerson’s sale of a 75 per cent interest in Allen & Overy’s global headquarters at London’s One Bishops Square, in a deal valuing the building at £445m.
DLA Piper, Eversheds and Linklaters attain silver standard in CSR charter
The presence of three law firms on the Business in the Community Corporate Responsibility Charter 2008 is good news for the profession.
DWF raids Dickie Dees for pensions triumvirate
DWF HAS bolstered its pensions practice after hiring a three-strong team from Newcastle-based Dickinson Dees.
Exclusive: Greenberg hires Maher to build '21st century firm'
US giant in retreat from Olswang alliance as it launches in London with former Mayer Brown star
Focus: Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy
The two biggest names in tech law are now at Milbank’s London office. Can the US firm help them deliver on their vision?
Forsters centre stage on South Bank project
Property and private client firm Forsters has been appointed by London’s National Theatre (NT) to advise it on the development of its South Bank site over the next four years.
Govt penalties mooted for carbon-heavy firms
Under the terms of new Government regulations the UK’s largest law firms could face costly civil and criminal proceedings if they fail to report their electricity consumption accurately for public scrutiny.
Hammonds’ litigation implosion continues with York, lease feuds
Hammonds just cannot seem to distance itself from partner disputes. After largely resolving a High Court battle with a group of former partners relating to overdrawn profits, news of Hammonds Direct going into administration prompted a number of disputes between the law firm and the partnership of the failed conveyancing business.
Harper McLeod’s PEP tumbles in spite of improved turnover
Scottish firm Harper McLeod has seen its average profit per equity partner (PEP) figure drop by 10 per cent over the past financial year, despite posting a marginal rise in turnover.
Herbies gets in on Rio Tinto-BHP Billiton JV
Herbert Smith has won a place on a deal that will see mining giant Rio Tinto strike up a joint venture with rival BHP Billiton and raise $15.2bn (£9.37bn) in a rights issue.
Herbies senior partner calls time on position
Herbert Smith senior partner David Gold will not seek a second term in the role, meaning the firm will begin the process of finding a successor in November.
Herbies’ international revenues offset City dip
Herbert Smith’s international offices continued to grow turnover share over the 2008-09 financial year, with London accounting for 70 per cent of total revenue compared with 77 per cent last year.
Iberdrola calls on Simmons as Sellafield land rush hots up
Simmons & Simmons has won a key role advising Iberdrola on its bid for land at Sellafield, as the Spanish utility seeks to avoid being left out in the cold in the UK’s new civil nuclear energy race.
Inaugural Lawyer European Awards unveils heavyweight judging panel
The judging panel for the inaugural The Lawyer European Awards.
Kirkland and Sidley take charge of Bain finance deal
Kirkland & Ellis and Sidley Austin have scored lead roles on Bain Capital’s cash injection into Chinese retailer Gome Electrical Appliances.
Kurt Geiger counsel steps back into pharma
Kurt Geiger general counsel Suzanne Smith is to leave the company to return to the pharmaceuticals sector, joining global biotechnology corporation Genzyme.
Law Soc and SRA in face-off over board selection
The Law Society and the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) are locked in a turf war over the appointment process for the SRA board.
Linklaters served with £4.6m claim
Linklaters is facing a £4.6m negligence claim from the All England Lawn Tennis Ground - the club behind the annual Wimbledon tennis tournament.
Long and winding road for law firms as GM creates legal production line
GM’s crash and US govt rescue throws up some tricky issues on both sides of the Atlantic. By Margaret Taylor
Luthra introduces lockstep to aid growth
Indian firm Luthra & Luthra has introduced a lockstep system as it prepares itself for rapid growth.
Maher puts his name to his claim
Let me break it to Olswang. Greenberg Traurig may be saying nice things about its relationship with you, but the days of your cooperation are numbered.
Mishcon bags Davenport IT and brands chief for IP expansion
West End firm Mishcon de Reya is ploughing investment into its IP business in a bid to expand the practice into trademark filing work.
Opinion: BSkyB vs EDS: time to rethink IT services contracts
The English High Court is soon expected to issue a ruling on a complex and long-running dispute arising out of an IT services contract between BSkyB and EDS.
People Moves
Simmons & Simmons IP partner Willem Leppink (left) has left the firm to join Osborne Clarke alliance firm Ploum Lodder Princen as an equitypartner in Rotterdam.
Pleading time
A move towards a more American approach in fraud pleas throws up new issues, say Rod Fletcher and Shula de Jersey
Postcard from...Riyadh
When I was first asked to write an article about life as an expat lawyer in the Magic Kingdom, I was a little intimidated by the task. Why?
Santander merger sees A&L lawyer quit
Alliance & Leicester (A&L) head of corporate and commercial law Raj Singh-Dehal has left the company in the wake of its merger with Santander.
Slaughters plays pivotal role as Greene King toasts £30m swoop
Slaughter and May has advised Punch Taverns on the sale of 11 managed pubs to Greene King for £30.4m.
Stephensons' financials stand firm
Stephenson Harwood has announced its financial results, with both revenue and profit remaining close to last year’s levels.
Tulkinghorn: The reel deal
Ashurst senior partner Charlie Geffen appeared to be angling for some compliments last week when he met up with one of Tulkinghorn’s hacks.
Viguié Schmidt hires CC securities litigator
Newly merged French boutique Viguié Schmidt Peltier Juvigny has hired former securities litigator Frédéric Peltier from Clifford Chance.
White-collar crime: Sign of the crimes
Hard times are encouraging employers to take a blasé attitude towards unethical business practices, and companies need to keep a tight rein on risk management to avoid ever-more severe penalties. By Jim McCurry
Work Life Quiz: Andrew Manning, Bevan Brittan
If you weren’t a lawyer what would you have been?I’m not a lawyer and am thankful for small mercies.
Yanks eye City tie-ups for Euro push
US mid players see downturn as opportunity to trawl UK for big fish. Julia Berris reports
