19 April 2010
The Lawyer
Africa Legal Network offers alternative to outdated ‘imperial’-style City associations
An exclusive network of independent African firms is expanding with a view to offering an alternative to the ’imperial’ model offered by UK-led associations.
Bingham thinks laterally to boost financial services
?Bingham has brought in a new enforcement head for its New York office as it looks to flesh out its financial services offering in the US and UK.
Blake Dawson opens first Japan office in landmark move for Oz legal profession
Australian firm Blake Dawson has officially opened in Tokyo, becoming one of the first Australian firms to open an office in Japan.
CC sends duo abroad in emerging markets push
Clifford Chance has again pushed emerging markets work to the forefront of its strategy following the relocation of two of its most experienced London partners to Saudi Arabia and Russia, while re-emphasising its desire to see juniors spend time in different jurisdictions.
Chair of Institute of Barristers’ Clerks to prioritise ABSs
The incoming chairman of the Institute of Barristers’ Clerks (IBC) has put dealing with alternative business structures (ABSs) at the top of the agenda as chambers grapple with ways of adapting to the new structures.
DAC brings in Manchester insurance chief
Davies Arnold Cooper (DAC) has named Edward Coulson as head of its Manchester insurance practice.
Dentons, Shoosmiths make HRG panel
The owner of Argos and Homebase has completed its first formal panel review, appointing three firms until February 2012.
Dewey, Hogan share top spot on $370m Saudi shares acquisition
Dewey & LeBoeuf and Hogan & Hartson have landed the key roles acting for Kingdom Holding Company (KHC) on its $370m (£240.42m) acquisition of the remaining shares in Kingdom Hotel Investments (KHI).
EDF legal head quits after team revamp
EDF Energy has begun the search for a new general counsel following the resignation of Jean MacDonald.
Focus: The General Election, Commons goal
With less than three weeks to go until the general election, The Lawyer catches up with some of the legal practitioners hoping to become the political stars of the future
Freshfields, Links lead on Essar’s LSE listing
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Linklaters are understood to have secured the top legal roles on the listing of the oil and power arms of Indian industrial conglomerate Essar on the London Stock Exchange (LSE).
Furley Page
Furley Page is a firm that is proud of its roots, and understandably so: not many can trace their history back to 1725, when ’man of affairs’ James Hanson set up a sole practice in Burgate, Canterbury. Since that time the firm has retained strong links with the city.
Govt framework firms frustrated by lack of work
When government agency OGC Buying Solutions established its new legal service framework in 2007, firms of every size and shape were encouraged to pitch for places on one of eight panels in the hope of winning more government work.
Hogan Lovells hopes to nullify US disdain for the work of ‘dirt lawyers’
The poor-cousin status of real estate work in the US may be about to end.
Kirkland bags lead role on Almatis’s disputed Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing
US firm advising Oaktree as co-investor, and main contender, DIC picks Weil.
Kobre & Kim’s QC hire bestows English nous
Trial lawyers firm Kobre & Kim has hired Serle Court silk James Corbett QC for its nascent City office.
Macfarlanes advises on sale of online design store
Hammonds, Macfarlanes and Thomson Snell & Passmore have claimed starring roles on the sale of designer Cath Kidston’s global chain of shops to private equity firm TA Associates.
Matrix barrister to head death row team for Reprieve
A barrister from Matrix Chambers has been named as legal director of the death penalty team at human rights charity Reprieve.
Nabarro drives through £2bn vehicle deal with armed forces
Nabarro has claimed a prize mandate acting for winning bidder General Dynamics (GD) following the award of a multibillion-pound Ministry of Defence (MoD) contract, it is understood.
Olswang associate breaks Oxford tradition by combining law and semi-professional pool
They say that a talent for pool is the sign of a misspent youth. Some might even say the same about law.
On the move
DWF has appointed Jonathan Edwards as its national head of banking. He joins from Hammonds, where he had headed the firm’s Manchester office since 2007 and before that was head of its banking practice.
Opinion: Law firms need a world view when it comes to CR issues
There is a certain irony that the legal profession, focused as it is on ensuring fairness, should find itself in a position where it has to open up a previously closed shop.
Path of redemption
Every time a defective product is recalled, the company responsible must follow a long, meticulous and costly process of expiation. By James Stanbury
Race-claim barrister in dismissal appeal
The barrister who lost an Employment Tribunal racial discrimination case against three members of her former set and its senior clerk has launched an appeal.
SDT’s judgment on Veneik shenanigans receives endorsement of the profession
It was a desire to uphold the probity of the legal profession that led the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) to strike off former Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) partner Vinay Veneik.
Small is beautiful
With most UK law firms having deserted Slovakia during the recession, Tom Phillips looks at why they may be beginning to regret it
Solicitor sues own firm for bad divorce settlement
A solicitor is suing his own firm for negligence and damages in the region of £300,000 in connection with advice he received concerning his divorce.
The heat is on
After becoming the third-largest developer of solar energy in Europe, the Czech Republic suddenly finds itself on the verge of a national disaster. James Swift investigates
The Lawyer’s party piece
Politicians are a disparate bunch. But if there’s one thing they’ve got in common it’s their love of a long-winded debate.
Thorp Alberga opens in HK with double hire
New offshore firm Thorp Alberga has made a move into Hong Kong with the opening of a new office and the recruitment of two partners from Maples and Calder.
Trading aces: Mark Elliott, Bank of America Merril Lynch Commodities
As global general counsel for Bank of America Merril Lynch Commodities, Mark Elliott believes that lawyers need to get their hands dirty and get involved with their product.
Tulkinghorn: Football focused
While many commentators think the forthcoming general election is likely to stymie business at law firms, everyone knows that the real danger to deal flow comes later in the summer when the population of the City flees their desks to crowd round TVs in Corney & Barrow and watch England’s latest glorious World Cup failure.
UK firms remain wary despite elevated recruitment figures
Hiring hiatus comes to an end as mid-sizers target magic circle talent, but reticence remains
When in Rome
New Europe-wide regulations to harmonise non-contractual obligation laws have had the opposite affect, says Paula Jefferson and Sarah Wright
Work Life Quiz: Mark Soundy, Weil Gotshal & Manges
If you weren’t a lawyer what would you have been? A (failed) pop star, or possibly a (really bad/sad) DJ.
