15 October 2007
The Lawyer
A&O and Norton Rose instructed on brewing mega takeover
Heineken and Carlsberg have turned to traditional advisers Allen & Overy (A&O) and Norton Rose respectively to assist in their potential joint hostile takeover of Scottish & Newcastle (S&N).
A&O scores victory in southern water bid
An Allen & Overy (A&O)-advised consortium has emerged triumphant in the £4.2bn auction for Southern Water.
A&O: 'We have no conflict on Northern Rock'
Allen & Overy (A&O) has defended its dual roles on Northern Rock, maintaining that they pose no conflict of interest.
Addleshaws adopts mentoring scheme
Addleshaw Goddard has launched a mentoring scheme as part of its alternative career path alongside the new position of managing associate.
Another partner quits McDermott in London
McDermott Will & Emery has suffered the loss of its London head of IP, Larry Cohen, who has defected to US rivals Latham & Watkins.
Bakers chairman demands strategy rethink
Baker & McKenzie global chairman John Conroy has been re-appointed for a second term during the firm’s annual partnership conference, which takes place in London this week.
BBC legal team escapes job cuts
BBC’s legal team is to escape the impending 1,800 job cuts unscathed and is planning to increase the size of its legal department.
Berryman promotes employment head
Berryman has promoted its head of employment Ginny Hallam to the partnership.
BGI lands Goldman Sachs rainmaker as global GC
Barclays Global Investors (BGI) has snared a former Goldman Sachs rainmaker to become its new global general counsel.
BLG corporate team boosted by role on dairy companies' tie-up
Barlow Lyde & Gilbert's (BLG) corporate practice has had a major fillip by landing a lead role on a headline £1bn merger.
BLP nets Cadwalader securitisation ace
Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft's London securitisation special counsel Nick Butler has left the firm to join Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) as a partner.
Byrne in the USA: Latham protected by US reach
Latham takes credit crunch hit in its stride
Cadwalader ditches City managing partner role
Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft has scrapped its London managing partner role, leaving the UK office with no representation on the firm's global executive committee.
Camerons reunites insurance group
CMS Cameron McKenna has rejoined one half of its insurance group to the other in its new City offices in Leadenhall Street.The team was separated when Camerons opened for business there in July 2006 in a bid to be closer to the insurance markets. The move fits in with the firm's new sector-focused strategy, in which insurance and reinsurance was a key practice area.
Capsticks bags nursing investigatory role
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has appointed regulatory firm Capsticks to work on investigations of allegations regarding fitness to practise.
CC misses out as GE unveils European M&A panel
General Electric (GE) has unveiled its first-ever European M&A panel, selecting five firms without listening to a single pitch.
Christie's appoints new group GC
Nick Deeming has taken up the newly created post of group general counsel at auction house Christie's.
Clifford Chance wins landmark death row reprieve
Clifford Chance has succeeded in its attempt to secure a stay of execution for Jack Alderman, the US’s longest-serving death row prisoner.
Colt targets formal panel in last leg of legal reshuffle
Colt Telecom is planning to establish a formal legal panel as the final stage in a reconstruction of its legal department begun when the company relocated to Luxembourg in June 2006.
David Krischer: Allen & Overy
What's the worst partner conference location you've attended and why?An all-day Saturday conference at One New Change, London, many years ago.
Dewey & LeBoeuf scraps London management
Dewey & LeBoeuf has abandoned the London managing partner role with firmwide chairman Steve Davis to oversee the office’s management concerns.
DLA and Travers take vets to AIM
DLA Piper and Travers Smith have played major roles in the AIM listing of veterinary service provider CVS Group, which entered the junior market via a private equity exit.
DLA Piper, Law Soc spearhead green drive
DLA Piper and the Law Society have joined forces with law firms and in-house counsel across the country to launch a green alliance.
Don't live a lie
With a bit of creative editing a job applicant's CV you can be upgraded from mediocre A-levels to A grades. So what can an employer do to detect those who distort the facts?
Druces & Attlee kicks off rebuilding effort
London's Druces & Attlee is looking to reverse its fortunes with the hire of ex-barrister and M&A/commercial partner Christopher Axford from niche firm Middleton Potts. Druces' partnership was reduced to just 12 and its revenue fell by 17 per cent to £5.8m after the retirement of two partners and the defection of two more in the past year. The 200-year-old firm is now looking to rebuild and has kick-started an aggressive recruitment drive.
DWS confirms Africa pledge with Ghana bond advice
Denton Wilde Sapte (DWS) has demonstrated its dedication to Africa by advising on Ghana's debut sovereign bond.
Employment lawyers on alert as City layoffs augur discrimination claims
Credit crunch redundancies could see a swathe of age discrimination actions. By Nina Goswami
Eversheds to make redundancies
Eversheds_office.jpg" alt="Eversheds to make redundancies" /Eversheds is set to make up to 15 staff redundancies as the firm centralises its finance operations.
Firm profile: Bell & Scott
Niche Scottish property firm Bell & Scott is on an expansion drive, according to managing partner Iain MacDonald, with a move into new Glasgow premises heralding the beginning of the growth.
Firms escalate overseas secondment offerings
Overseas secondments are the latest battleground for graduate recruitment teams, with several law firms introducing foreign seats to attract talent.
Five's legal director to retire
Five’s director of legal and business affairs Colin Campbell is to leave the channel, originally known as Channel 5, having been with it since its birth in 1997.
Former Radcliffe head settles dismissal claim
Radcliffe Chambers' former chief executive Chris Owen has settled his claim for constructive dismissal after his acrimonious exit from the chancery set last year.
Forsters takes lead on brum redevelopment
Property law firm Forsters has acted for Redevco on the redevelopment and pre-letting of the former C&A and Beatties department store site on Corporation Street in Birmingham.
Freehills overhauls top tier following BHP swoop
BHP Billiton has snared the managing partner of Australian-based commercial firm Freehills, prompting Freehills to review its management structure.
Freshfields can start to look forward with Bloxham win vindicating pension reform
Nearly a year after former insolvency partner Peter Bloxham filed his age discrimination claim against Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, a judgment was finally handed down last week (10 October). It found unanimously for Freshfields.
Freshfields lends weight to UCL project
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Rio Tinto, RPS Group and RWE nPower are funding the launch of the Carbon Capture Legal Project by University College London (UCL).
Freshfields maintains the pain
The £55m restructuring undertaken by Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer that culled 100 partners from the equity may be over, but its effects are not.
Freshfields scoops raft of Chinese deals
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has hedged any effects of the credit crunch by landing key roles on five headline equity capital markets (ECM) deals out of China this week.
Freshfields threatens Bloxham appeal with potential £100K costs
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is deciding whether to pursue costs against Peter Bloxham, its former partner who lost a £4.5m age discrimination claim against the firm last week (www.thelawyer. com, 10 October).
Freshfields, Norton Rose pitch in to Middle East peace process
Norton Rose pitch in to Middle East peace process" /Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Norton Rose have advised on a $238m (£116.63m) investment deal that could bring the Middle East peace ...
FSA's Fox Hayes negligence verdict overturned
The Financial Services and Markets Tribunal has cleared Leeds firm Fox Hayes of negligence, overturning an earlier Financial Services Authority (FSA) decision.
Gain in Ukraine
The competitive legal market in Kiev could well see firms up their billing charges. By Oleg Riabokon
Geldards overhauls management team
Wales-based law firm Geldards has undergone a management shake-up creating a five-partner executive team for the first time.
Greenwoods launches in Manchester
Personal injury boutique Greenwoods is gearing up for aggressive growth after launching an office in Manchester.
Herbies China chief quits for Credit Suisse
Herbert Smith China managing partner Jeremy Xiao is set to leave the firm to take up an in-house position with Credit Suisse.
Howrey banks on Brussels stars for City antitrust relaunch
Trevor Soames is a busy man. He heads Howrey's EU competition practice, is co-managing partner of its Brussels office and has now just taken over the top job at the firm's London office, albeit temporarily. Oh, and he has just broken his leg while paintballing with his son.
ITMA and LawSoc settle trade mark battle
The Law Society and the Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (ITMA) have settled a row over the use of the title “trade mark attorney”, reaching an agreement through mediation.
K&L Gates provides AIM advice to Kaupthing
Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Preston Gates Ellis (K&L Gates) has won its first AIM instruction for Kaupthing Singer & Friedlander Capital Markets since the stock exchange granted Iceland's largest bank nominated adviser (nomad) status.
Law firms must prepare for credit crunch litigation wave
The recent crises in the capital markets are likely to trigger claims against participants and their advisers. History shows that, where large losses are suffered, litigation usually follows; and it's fair to predict that loss-making deals will be scrutinised, particularly where companies have been pushed to the brink of insolvency or, indeed, into liquidation or administration.
Linklaters automates leveraged finance term sheets
Linklaters has launched an automated documentation programme designed to speed up the leveraged term sheet process.
Linklaters' new chief vows to take on the US
Linklaters' new chief vows to take on the US" /Linklaters managing partner-elect Simon Davies will kick off his term of office with an ambitious plan to make Linklaters a major player on Wall Street during the next decade, saying he will also look to put "people" at the heart of his long-term strategy.
'Linklaters Three' resurface at Portuguese independent Rui Pena
The infamous 'Linklaters Three', a team of Portuguese associates who were asked to leave Linklaters after their plan to quit the firm was found on a laptop, have resurfaced at Portuguese independent firm Rui Pena Arnaut & Associados.
Linklaters: Forging new Links
Linklaters is consigning its Cologne office to the history books in favour of opening in Düsseldorf with the hire of a highly rated Freshfields duo. But with the pair's remuneration outstripping other partners', can it keep its existing German staff happy?
Links faces work to win over NY
New York's overextended Indian summer finally broke last week. By Thursday the 86° heat had gone, replaced by a violent downpour that drenched the city and its inhabitants.
Lion bar
While munching on a bacon butty at the Law Society's opening of the legal year breakfast last Monday (1 October), one Tulkinghorn scribe was musing on the question: are lawyers more like gazelles than lions?
Litigation and ADR
A raft of class action-type claims has been launched in recent months.
Lovells hires head of finance systems
Lovells has just hired a new head of finance systems in the shape of Steven Capon, who held a similar role at Clifford Chance.
Lovells plays to its strengths
It made a change yesterday to unearth a UK firm in New York that didn’t have a strategic plan of getting into the top tier of US M&A. Globally, a resurgent Lovells has hired 22 partners in less than a year.
Matrix founder Blake joins bench
Matrix Chambers is to lose founding member Nicholas Blake QC to the bench.
Mayer Brown Spanish ally Ramón loses key real estate man to Rodés
Mayer Brown's ally in Spain Ramón & Cajal has been hit by the departure of key real estate partner Fernando Marin to independent firm Rodés & Sala Abogados.
McGrigors faces negligence claim from authors' society
National firm McGrigors is being sued for negligence by former client the Authors' Licensing and Collecting Society (ALCS).
McGrigors secures Jimmy Choo HQ move
McGrigors has underscored its relationship with retailer Jimmy Choo, advising on the fourth deal for the group in the past four months.
Nabarro
Having flirted with globalisation, under senior partner Simon Johnston Nabarro has reverted to focusing more on its core UK market - and is reaping the rewards
Nabarro joins 100 per cent trainee retention club
Only Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, Ince & Co, Jones Day, Nabarro and Shearman & Sterling boasted trainee retention rates of 100 per cent, according to research conducted by Lawyer 2B.
Nixon Peabody to launch in London
US firm Nixon Peabody has announced the launch of its first London office via an alliance with emerging markets boutique Trinity.
Norton Rose's grooming room
Tulkinghorn would advise US law firm Baker Botts to cordon off an area in its London outfit.
Oiling the wheels
In the wake of the Royal Dutch Shell class action, Europe could soon have a more claimant-friendly consolidated legal framework from which to work. By Daan Lunsing Scheurleer and Ianika Tzankova
Olswang seals Midlands property deal
Olswang has acted for longstanding client REIT Asset Management on its $814m (£400m) acquisition of a property portfolio from Evans Property Group.
One vision
EU accession has meant a legal overhaul for new EU members. And they are slowly but surely integrating themselves, says Kevin Connor
Orrick raids Mintz Levin for corporate chief
Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe’s London office has snared the head of corporate at Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Golvsky.
People moves
North Hampshire firm Lamb Brooks Solicitors has hired Adrian Owen as a partner to head its business restructuring and insolvency team. Owen was previously a partner at Bond Pearce in Southampton.
Pinsents lands Govt nuclear adviser
Pinsent Masons has boosted its nuclear group with the hire of former government adviser Ian Downing as a consultant.
Pipe down
Travers Smith head of financial services Margaret Chamberlain is held in awe by many of her colleagues - even by senior partner Alastair Douglas.
Raising interest
A recent House of Lords judgment has paved the way for companies to claim back compound interest, which has had a significant impact on commercial litigation. By Steven Elliott
Reed Smith finally lures Richards Butler HK
19-Oct 2007Reed Smith finally lures Richards Butler HKReed Smith's firmwide managing partner Greg Jordan was jubilant yesterday after finally tying up a deal with the Hong Kong office of Richards Butler (see story).
Reed Smith Richards Butler
Reed Smith Richards Butler has announced its first set of salary increases since its merger went live on 1 January this year.
Reed Smith snares Richards Butler Hong Kong
Reed Smith snares Richards Butler Hong Kong" /US firm Reed Smith has finally signed up the Hong Kong arm of Richards Butler nearly a whole year after merging with Richards Butler’s UK operations.
Reed Smith UK chief steps down in overhaul
Reed Smith UK chief steps down in overhaul" /Reed Smith Richards Butler has restructured its UK management team, with UK managing partner Tim Foster stepping down from the role.
Regulatory concerns top UK business priority list
More than three-quarters of UK companies have seen an increase in regulatory inquiries and investigations over the past three years, according to research published today (15 October).
Robin Saphra: Colt Telecom
With Colt Telecom needing to engage with lawyers across the Continent, it's little wonder legal director Robin Saphra wants a pan-European regulator. By Malar Velaigam
Rocketing salaries fail to boost trainee retention
Trainee retention rates have dipped significantly since 2005, despite the massive salary increases seen in the legal profession in recent years.
Schroders' mull lull
Schroders clearly works to the theory that slow and steady wins the race, having taken forever with its latest panel review. The review, launched at the beginning of the year, is yet to be completed.
Schultze launches City practice
Schultze & Braun, Germany's third-largest insolvency practitioner, which has offices in 27 German cities, from Achern to Wuppertal, has opened up in the City of London.
Separated at birth
Life, as fans of the quintessential TV quiz show The Generation Game will know, is the name of the game. And Harvey Miller wanted to play the game with Weil Gotshal & Manges one more time.
Settling up
The dearth of qualified judges to deal with personal injury mediations needs to be addressed with a new method of resolution, says Bill Braithwaite
Shearman leads oil fight for Algerian govt against Spanish companies
Shearman & Sterling has hit out at its rivals during a tense $1bn (£489.37m) arbitration between Spanish company Repsol and Algerian state-owned energy group Sonatrach.
Simmons, Skadden, Clifford Chance brought in on Resolution bid
Simmons & Simmons has landed a key role on a multi-billion-pound financial services deal that has called in a roster of City firms.
SJ Berwin acts on Wagamama sale
The owners of noodle bar group Wagamama have turned to regular adviser SJ Berwin on the planned sale of the chain, decided yesterday (17 October).
SRA rejects allegations of racism
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has defended itself against claims that it is racist and discriminates against non-white lawyers in its investigations.
Standard Chartered to offer traineeship
Standard Chartered Bank is introducing a training programme as a means of bypassing difficult recruitment markets.
Store and order
Tulkinghorn was amused to learn the identity of one of the firms involved in the inquest into the deaths of Diana, Princess of Wales, and Dodi al Fayed.According to a release from the Coroner's Office, the firm acting as solicitor to the inquest is one 'Field Fisher Warehouse'.Presumably it specialises in bulk distribution, possibly of retail goods - in which case it might be more appropriate if it were to advise shopkeeper Mohamed Al Fayed? Just a thought.
Summit to read
Many lawyers try to attract Tulkinghorn's attention, but Wilberforce IP barrister Anna Carboni went as far as Kenya to climb Mount Kilimajaro.
TheLawyer.com
The war for young legal talent in the US has just got a lot more violent. Sullivan & Cromwell has unleashed its most powerful weapon: a bonsai tree. Law blog Above the Law (www.abovethelaw.com) reports that the firm is sending out bonsai trees to all students it offers jobs to.
Thelen launches new patent litigation group
Thelen Reid Brown Raysman & Steiner has raided the New York office of Weil Gotshal & Manges, hiring patent litigation partner Steve Rizzi.
Thomas Eggar cruises to all leisure aim ipo
South East firm Thomas Eggar has represented cruise holiday operator All Leisure Group on its AIM flotation.
UK firms benefit from Deutsche's RREEF panel
A range of UK firms are celebrating roles on the new roster for Deutsche Bank Asset Management's flagship alternative investment fund RREEF Alternative Investments.
Weapons of class disruption
Tulkinghorn's school days were a stiff mixture of rum, buggery and the lash. Sometimes all at once. But he opines that these days it seems our children have it a lot easier.
Yorkshire: Hot property
The increasingly complex nature of commercial property transactions is being matched by the burgeoning expertise of Yorkshire's lawyers. By Paula Dillon
Yorkshire’s global reach
Yorkshire has undergone a renaissance in terms of professional services; with integrated and international the two factors defining the direction of the legal market.
