18 January 2010
The Lawyer
Addleshaws to adapt contingency fees post-Jackson
Addleshaw Goddard is ready to embrace a contingency fee regime if it comes into force in England and Wales, as recommended by Lord Justice Jackson last week (14 January).
BLG trio strengthens Kemp Little’s commercial tech team
Technology boutique Kemp Little has bolstered its IT capabilities with the hire of two senior lawyers from Barlow Lyde & Gilbert (BLG).
Brent lawyer moves to Waltham Forest
?Waltham Forest Council has named Terry Osborne as its new director of governance and law.
CHSH votes in female duo as co-heads
Austrian firm Cerha Hempel Spiegelfeld Hlawati (CHSH) has elected a managing partner duo after Albert Birkner completed his three-and-a-half year tenure in the job.
Conyers follows Appleby to Channel Islands
Offshore firm Conyers Dill & Pearman is planning to open in the Channel Islands this summer, following the lead of offshore rival Appleby.
Eversheds defends latest outsourcing
Eversheds has argued that its brand will not suffer as a result of plans to expand its commoditised business arm with the launch of a South African joint venture.
Eversheds: not Tesco Law
Ah, Eversheds: selflessly sacrificing its profit margin in order to take care of clients’ needs. That sort of altruism is in short supply.
Farrers raids City to build corporate service
Farrer & Co has made a rare foray into the lateral hiring market, taking on three partners and a consultant in a bid to beef up its corporate-related practices.
Focus: Stephenson Harwood, Modest growth
Having stripped down prior to the recession, Stephenson Harwood is one firm to have entered the economic downturn at its ideal fighting weight
HFW builds bridges in Saudi, Abu Dhabi
Holman Fenwick Willan (HFW) is launching a two-pronged assault on the Middle East through the establishment of new associations in both Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia.
Human interest
A broader remit has meant Old Mutual GC Meekal Hashmi has had to develop broader shoulders.
Jackson costs review divides market
Jackson LJ attacks Access to Justice Act with proposals to reverse ATE provisions and cap success fees.
JMW solicitors
JMW Solicitors has transformed itself from the days when it was a small crime-based practice in the 1970s.
Latent patent
A viable Europe-wide patent system has caused legislators not a little consternation over the years. Benoît Strowel examines the history behind the concept
Latent patent
?A viable Europe-wide patent system has caused legislators not a little consternation over the years. Benoît Strowel examines the history behind the concept.
Linklaters announces new Asia chief
?Stuart Salt, Linklaters’ London-based managing partner for emerging Europe, Middle East and North Africa, will take over as Asia managing partner next month.
Matthew Arnold boosts litigation team
?Matthew Arnold & Baldwin has hired BP Collins’ former head of litigation Tim Constable.
Mishcon opens in NY for transatlantic litigation drive
Mishcon de Reya is making a shock entry into the New York legal market with a litigation outpost in Manhattan.
North East councils reveal first joint panel
The Five North East local authorities that make up the Tyne & Wear Metropolitan Authority have appointed their first joint legal panel.
Norton Rose kicks off Asia push with Singapore switch
Singapore a strategic imperative for Anglo-Australian giant
NQ retention rates for spring 2010 hold up well
Early indications are that retention rates for spring 2010 qualifiers are down only marginally on last year’s, with the small clutch of firms that have released figures reporting rates in the region of 80 per cent.
Pannone focuses on disability rights
?Richard Copson has joined Pannone to head the disability rights legal services team following a move from Glaisyers.
People
The OFT has hired SJ Berwin senior associate Sheldon Mills as director of mergers.
Reed Smith spin-off Hill Hofstetter bags ex-chief
Reed Smith’s former UK head Tim Foster has quit for Birmingham-based Hill Hofstetter, which was spun out of Reed Smith at the end of 2008.
SJ Berwin property partner joins Shepherds
?Shepherd & Wedderburn has appointed Michael Scott as a partner in the property group.
Stonewall Equality Index reveals just four firms make gay-friendly grade
The publication last week of lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) lobbying organisation Stonewall’s annual Workplace Equality Index (TheLawyer.com, 13 January 2010) reveals the progress made by a handful of law firms on promoting more equal workplaces for staff regardless of their sexuality.
The age-old problem of mandatory retirement
On 1 February, the Government will complete its consultation prior to its review of the current UK default retirement age (DRA) of 65 for employees.
The Baltic triangle
Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania may be viewed as one by outsiders, and indeed often act as one when it comes to business, but each brings something different to the table.
The end is in sight
With many US firms performing far better than predicted for 2009, can the rest of us take heart?
TLT makes space for more London lawyers
?Bristol firm TLT has announced a move to a new City office, doubling its London capability.
Tulkinghorn: Odd-shaped balls
Did you know that Guy Beringer won two rugby blues at Cambridge? Really? You didn’t? Well, Tulkinghorn considers this a shocking lapse in your knowledge, whoever you are.
What happened to A&O’s first female partner?
When Clare Maurice was made up at Allen & Overy (A&O) in 1985 she was the sole female partner at the firm.
Winckworth swoops for employment team
Winckworth Sherwood has scooped Dawsons employment head Jo Keddie together with a three-lawyer team.
Winston introduces technology-based fee monitor
?In last week’s column (11 January) we highlighted the moves being made by the Association of Corporate Counsel to improve the value for money its members receive from external law firms.
Wire guard
?Illegal downloading of copyrighted material is now being tackled by the Government with a new bill. Hamish Porter takes a look at what it contains
Wire guard
Illegal downloading of copyrighted material is now being tackled by the Government with a new bill. Hamish Porter takes a look at what it contains
Work Life Quiz: David Robinson, Forsters
If you weren’t a lawyer what would you have been? An unproductive academic.
