19 February 2007
The Lawyer
People
McDermott Will & Emery has appointed Georgia Quenby as a partner in its banking and finance group. She joins from Nabarro Nathanson.
A&O suffers as another partner quits in Italy
Allen & Overy has lost its Italian head of banking and finance less than a month after banking star Davide Mencacci defected to Linklaters.
Amnesty calls on new government to improve Mexico's justice system
Mexico's public security and criminal justice system has been slammed in a new report by Amnesty International.
Another day, another high-level Freshfields departure
Is it more than just bittersweet irony that Freshfields is losing its global head of restructuring in the midst of its own firmwide restructuring? See story
Another former Freshfields partner departs
Former Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer corporate partner André Kowalski has left the firm’s Düsseldorf office to join German boutique Franz Rechtsanwälte.
Banks beat law firms on gay rights issues
On 10 January Stonewall published its third annual 'Workplace Equality Index', showcasing the top 100 employers for gay people in the UK. This index is a national benchmarking exercise that students, employees, customers and clients can use in making career and supplier choices. The aim is to raise the bar for diversity in UK workplaces.
Bar Council steps up fight against Legal Services Bill
The Bar Council has launched a massive offensive against the Legal Services Bill attacking its current form for placing “too much power in the hands of the Government”.
Barclays to probe firms’ staffing on transactions
Barclays is to put its external advisers under the microscope as it moves to implement the most rigorous management of legal spend yet seen by any UK institution.
BBC's bar 'docusoap' receives green light
THE BBC has commissioned afly-on-the-wall documentary series on two barristers' chambers in London and Birmingham, The Lawyer can reveal.
Beachcroft set to assist John Lewis revolution
Beachcroft could be the big winner in retailer John Lewis's panel shake up.
Beazer Homes GC axed for 'violations'
Beazer Homes, a US homebuilding giant, fired its executive vice-president and general counsel Kenneth Gary for "a pattern of personal conduct which includes violations of company policies". The Atlanta-based company made the announcement in a US Securities and Exchange Commission filing. Gary had been with the company since March 2005, when he joined from rival luxury homebuilder Toll Brothers, where he had been senior vice-president and general counsel for 15 years. The company was ...
Beiten closes Cologne in favour of Dusseldorf
After a strategic review of its German offices, Beiten Burkhardt has announced its decision to integrate its Cologne and Dusseldorf offices into one.
Bindmans wins landmark ruling to save 75,000 pensions
Bindman & Partners has won a High Court victory likely to save 75,000 pensions.
Bingham boosts London revenues by a third
Bingham McCutchen has reported an increase in London revenues of just over 33 per cent having reaped in a turnover of $31.2m for 2006.
Bircham social housing associate quits
Bircham Dyson Bell has suffered a further blow to its social housing practice with the news that associate Abimbola Badejo has also quit the firm. Badejo is to follow the firm's head of social housing Keith Jenkins to Westminster specialist Winckworth Sherwood, where it is understood that both will start ...
Bird & Bird overhauls management team
Bird & Bird has elected Swedish managing partner Michael Frie as the firm’s new chairman, after former chairman Hamish Sandison stepped down from the role.
Brabners eases Mascherano's move to Liverpool
Brabners Chaffe Street has helped Liverpool FC bolstered its midfield with the transfer of Javier Mascherano from West Ham United.
Bredin falls prey to Veil Jourde rebuild
Bredin Prat has lost one of its ex-Slaughter and May partners to domestic rival Veil Jourde, which has continued to rebuild with the hire of tax specialist Yves-Charles Zimmermann.
CC slams Gas Natural’s Endesa takeover tactic
Endesa’s chief adviser and Clifford Chance partner Ignacio Ojanguren has criticised Gas Natural’s legal strategy following its failed hostile takeover attempt of Endesa.
Clayton Utz, Australia
In the tight Australian legal market Clayton Utz has set its stall out as a national firm, turning its back on opening international offices and instead preferring to link up with referral firms.
Clydes ends merger trials
Clyde & Co is preparing for a review of its aviation insurance practice later this year when a two-year honeymoon period for legacy Beaumont & Sons partners ends on 30 June.
Cobbetts set to launch London corporate practice
Regional firm Cobbetts is to open in London with a corporate finance practice, which will be fully operational by May.
Councils pool legal spend
Five North East boroughs have taken the revolutionary step, of merging their external legal spends.
Councils warn of rule breaches in Government planning application advice
The Association of Council Secretaries and Solicitors (ACSeS) has told local authorities to ignore the Government's planning advice or risk judicial review.
Court groom
While students must learn the academic side of law, it's never too early to get them to experience the practical side, says Kevin Bampton
Debevoise follows New York trend with steady growth
New York firm Debevoise & Plimpton has released its financial results for 2006, posting a steady improvement in both turnover and profit on 2005.
Dewey hits back with W&C hire
Dewey Ballantine has strengthened its Frankfurt office with the hire of a capital markets partner from White & Case.
Dewey in talks with Italian firm
Fresh in the wake of its failed merger with Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe, Dewey Ballantine is in advanced talks with Italian boutique Galgano to form a “collaboration”.
Dickinson Dees launches London base
Newcastle-based Dickinson Dees is preparing to launch its first office in London. The firm is understood to be finalising terms for a new office near Blackfriars, with management finalising the lease agreements for its new serviced premises. The new office, which is not initially expected to base lawyers in London full time, will focus on Dickinsons' clients in the transport, projects, real estate ...
Direct access frustrated by Bar Council inertia
The Bar Council has been criticised for not promoting direct access to the bar to business and the public, new research has found.
DLA Piper appoints insurance chief exec
DLA Piper has appointed David Medcalf, the accountant who oversaw the closure of volume business DLA Direct, as chief executive of its UK insurance practice as the firm plans an overhaul. Medcalf, who was chairman of DLA Direct from March 2005 until its closure last year, has been tasked with revamping the insurance practice. "We believe there will be an increased demand by insurance companies to dramatically ...
Download an Englishman, an Irishman and an American
Get your iPods and headphones at the ready: the February edition of The Lawyer Podcast is now live on the website.
EADS looks internally to replace general counsel
The European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) has appointed Peter Kleinschmidt to succeed general counsel Diane de Saint Victor.
Edward Davis: Axa UK
Axa has put in place a growth strategy through to 2012 and head of legal Edward Davis was charged with finding the firms to advise. By Nina Goswami
Emmerson joins Sullivan early for Thomas Cook-MyTravel merger
M&A rainmaker Tim Emmerson has landed his first deal since jumping ship from Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy to US rival Sullivan & Cromwell.
Farrer ramps up corporate offering
Farrer & Co has bolstered its corporate team with the addition of two new senior lawyers to boost the firm's competition and banking divisions. Competition law specialist Christopher Brown joins as a barrister from the Competition Appeal Tribunal, where he was a référendaire (judicial assistant). Simon Graham joins Farrer as a partner on 19 March from the London office of O'Melveny & Myers, where ...
Farrers recruits silk for mediation push
Farrer & Co has continued its recent recruitment drive, snaring the services of highly rated family barrister Jeremy Posnansky QC from 1 Hare Court.
Fizzy and buzzy makes it all go fuzzy
There are few sights in the City quite so glorious as seeing Freshfields corporate boss Tim Jones holding court.
Freshfields and Herbies reprise Warner-EMI battle
Warner Music’s renewed attack on EMI will reunite last year’s line-up of legal advisers, with Herbert Smith to square up to Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.
Freshfields associate's death highlights concerns over heavy City workloads
While Matthew Courtney’s family, friends and colleagues come to terms with their loss, the tragic death of the Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer newly qualified associate has reignited the debate about associate ...
Freshfields' restructuring head Shandro joins UCL
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer’s head of global restructuring and insolvency is set to leave the magic circle firm to take up the position of dean of the University College of London’s (UCL) law faculty.
Freshfields, links get active on sports float
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Linklaters have reaffirmed their positions as market leaders for London Stock Exchange (LSE) listings after securing roles on the Sports Direct International float. The retail sports company, which owns Sports World, Sports Direct, Original Shoe Company and Lilywhites, ...
Fuglers allies with media agency
West End law firm Fuglers has set up a one-stop media shop with media agency The Leo Media & Entertainment Group.
G force
Tulkinghorn learnt the other day that Addleshaw Goddard managing partner Mark Jones has made it his mission to get his firm into what he called "the G7".Tulkinghorn is confused. Is this like G4, but less good-looking?
Germany
Travers joins Berlin exodus while Olswang bucks the trendOnly eight weeks into 2007 and a number of firms have already reviewed their German strategies.
Group lobbies for EU French language use
A high-profile Francophile lobby group is pressing for the French language to have precedence in any translation dispute regarding European law.
Harbottle & Lewis: Sound advice
Harbottle & Lewis has hired its third head of music in a year. Will Paul Jones be tempted by pastures greener or stick around to save the practice??
Haringey installs interim legal head
The London Borough of Haringey has confirmed its interim head of legal.
Herbert Smith wins Polar Aim float
Herbert Smith has advised fund manager Polar Capital Holdings on its IPO and admission to AIM. The listing comprised an offer of both news shares issued by Polar and existing shares sold by the selling shareholders. The Herbert Smith team was led by partner Scott Cochrane. Bridgewell, advised by Addleshaw Goddard, acted as nominated adviser. Last November Herbert Smith advised BlueBay Asset Management, ...
InBev GC lands corporate legal chief role
InBev Western Europe general counsel Deepak Malhotra been appointed to the role of corporate legal chief as part of his extended duties. The brewing company opted to incorporate the Western Europe and corporate teams under the leadership of one person. Malhotra, who replaced Miren Aguirre, has taken on the global IP,competition and M&A legal functions. ...
Jacobs nets mining hatrick for Linklaters
Linklaters has scored a hatrick of deals in the mining so far this February after advising Impala Platinum Holdings (Implats) on its recommended takeover of an AIM listed African metal business.
Journo gist
Speaking to the media about a particular case can have damaging as well as positive repercussions, so appropriate training is essential if one is to avoid the pitfalls. By Fiona Cunningham
JP Morgan sues Lovells for negligence
Lovells is being sued by JPMorgan Chase for negligence for an undisclosed amount in the High Court.
Junior lawyers in greatest demand
Lawyers at the two year-PQE level were the most sought-after by both private practice employers and in-house teams.
Kendall Freeman
Quality is the buzzword at insurance and reinsurance firm Kendall Freeman. As managing partner Laurence Harris explains, improving the quality of the firm's services is crucial in order to survive the slowdown in the litigation market.
Kirkpatrick pursued by Al Fayed for £8m payout
Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Nicholson Graham will once again find itself in court over advising Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed in connection with the acquisition of Fulham FC.
Lateral recruitment drive pays off as Linklaters' banking practice thrives
By bucking the magic circle trend for internal growth, the team is reaping the rewards. By Catrin Griffiths
Law firms need to change their ageist ways
Poor old Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. That is not an oft-heard remark, but along with the report of 100 equity partners being culled (The Lawyer, 5 February), the firm is facing publicity over an age discrimination claim brought by one of its ...
Law Soc, College of Law kick off Gulf training programme
The Law Society and the College of Law are set to team up to provide a training programme for solicitors practising in the Gulf states.
Legal Intelligence
The City was suffering a definite hangover in the first weeks of 2007 after the frenzied M&A commotion before Christmas. Deal activity only really started to pick up in the latter stages of January, with the largest transaction coming on the last day of the month when Indian conglomerate and Herbert Smith client Tata emerged victorious in the £6.7bn battle for Corus to forge the world's fifth-largest steel producer.
Lifting the bid
Being the surprise winning bidder for the UK's first super-casino will provide a massive boost for East Manchester - but challenges from disappointed bidders are still in the offing. Hamish Lawson reports
Linklaters bids for senior talent as it woos Weil Gotshal’s Francies
Linklaters has approached Weil Gotshal & Manges London managing partner Mike Francies in a dramatic escalation of its lateral hiring programme.
Linklaters brings new client Gem to LSE
Linklaters has scooped a mandate to advise on the successful London Stock Exchange listing of Gem Diamonds.
Linklaters' executive decision
Linklaters' executive decision" /There is much speculation over in Silk Street on who is going to replace Giles White as Linklaters' overall head of finance. The two obvious frontrunners - capital markets head Nick Eastwell and banking head John Tucker - recently went for the managing partner job, ...
Linklaters poaches new talent chief from Lovells
Linklaters has hired Lovells’ former director of legal training as its new global head of learning and development.
Linklaters puts the moves on Weil Gotshal's Francies
Linklaters' hiring spree shows no signs of abating. As revealed in The Lawyer this morning, the magic circle firm has made an audacious move for Weil Gotshal & Manges head honcho Mike Francies. See story
Linklaters secures Hutchison Essar acquisition for Vodafone
Linklaters has scored a victory for longstanding client Vodafone in its fierce battle to buy India's fourth-largest mobile operator Hutchison Essar.
Macfarlanes picks up float mandate for accountant
Macfarlanes is advising longstanding client Smith & Williamson on its potential IPO. The advice is being led by partner Tim Lewis.
Manches wins IP battle for Tolkien
Commercial law firm Manches has secured author JRR Tolkien’s estate a subpoena against content-sharing website eSnips, it was revealed today (22 February).
Mayer Brown suffers NY exodus
Mayer Brown Rowe & Maw (MBRM) has suffered a five-partner walk-out from its New York office, with White & Case reaping the rewards,
MBRM seeks home comforts
So, Mayer Brown Rowe & Maw's 2008 move into its new premises at 201 Bishopsgate looks set to ruffle a few feathers.
Milbank rebuilds corporate with former A&O partner
Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy has moved to rebuild its corporate department by hiring former Allen & Overy corporate partner Stuart Harray.
Mixed fortunes in North West counsel salary stakes
The Average salary for in-house lawyers in the North West is on the rise, with the maximum salaries for three year-PQE in-house lawyers having increased by more than 30 per cent since 2005.
Motability brings in-houser on board
Europe's largest car-leasing company Motability Operations, which leases cars to disabled drivers, has made its first hire since a major restructuring of its legal department last year.
Mourant merges with Cayman outfit
Jersey giant Mourant du Feu & Jeune is to merge with Cayman Islands rival Quin & Hampson, pushing the firm back into the top five offshore firms.
Norton Rose pushes partners to shrink carbon footprints
Norton Rose pushes partners to shrink carbon footprints" /Norton Rose chief executive Peter Martyr has laid down the gauntlet to the firm's partners, challenging them to reduce their individual carbon footprints by 10 per cent.
Of misery and money
The reasons for the death of Freshfields IP associate Matthew Courtney are still unknown. However, many have linked the tragedy to the long hours he was working while at the magic circle firm. Whether this assumption is right or wrong, the incident at the Tate Modern on Friday 11 February has sparked the debate over associate workload (again).
Okoro quits Schroders for top legal position
Baring Asset Management has poached Schroders’ head of legal for corporate services Sandie Okoro for the newly created role of global head of legal.
Olswang prays for loyalty onus
Now the dust is settling and the race for his crown has begun, another question remains to be answered: what is going to happen to Jonathan Goldstein's extraordinarily remunerative client relationships?Some of the top names in property have featured in Olswang's bills over the years thanks to Goldstein. They include Dawnay Day, Minerva and Tchenguiz, along with, obviously, Heron (Goldstein's future ...
Orrick talks mar Dewey retention
The cost of Dewey Ballantine's failed merger with Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe is underlined by figures exclusively obtained by The Lawyer.
Pinsents alliance to focus on litigation
Pinsent Masons is setting up a pan-European dispute resolution group with its German ally Luther.
Shandro hands reins to Baird at Freshfields
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has moved quickly to announce a new restructuring head, with partner Ken Baird named as Sandy Shandro’s successor.
Sharp exit
More news of former Dewey Ballantine capital markets rainmaker Camille Abousleiman.
Simmons wins first LSE closed-end listing
Simmons & Simmons has scored its second instruction on the float of a closed-end fund, working on the first to be listed on the LSE. Brevan Howard hopes to raise $1bn (£510m) as part of a flotation of closed-end investment vehicle BH Macro. Simmons advised Brevan Howard, led by investment funds partner Steven Whittaker and tax partner Paul Hale, while Freshfields advised BH Macro. Brevan Howard appointed Citigroup, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Cazenove, with
Simpson Thacher set for boss swap as UK chief returns to US
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett’s London office is set for a leadership shake-up as long-term managing partner Walter Looney prepares to return to New York.
Slaughters drives £1.9bn first group buy
Slaughter and May has scooped a mandate to advise bus giant First Group on the £1.9bn acquisition of Laidlaw, the US's biggest operator of yellow school buses. The deal is First Group's second foray into the US. The group entered the US in 1999 with the £540m acquisition of school bus operator Ryder. The acquisition will be financed through new bank facilities and equity issues of approximately ...
Swede swoops into TwoBirds
There was one big surprise from Bird & Bird’s leadership election today. See story.
Takeover Panel hits out at Rothschild blunder
A rare public rebuke by the Takeover Panel of bank NM Rothschild has thrown into relief the question of how much responsibility lawyers bear when advising clients on the Takeover Code.
The ignored board
Tulkinghorn recently dispatched a mole to Thomas Eggar's 'Kaleidoscope of Colour' party at the South East firm's Gatwick office.
The North West
Manchester looks set to command increasing attention over 2007 after the city emerged as the surprise winning bidder for the UK's first super-casino licence.
The work-life quiz: Nick Shaw
What was your first-ever job?
Train and gain
Offering career-enhancing training, particularly in the so-called 'soft skills', will help businesses attract top in-house talent, says Steve Hockey
Training
As recruitment and retention become pressing issues for law firms and in-house counsel alike, training has stepped to the fore.
Travers' high hopes
Could Travers Smith be the City's healthiest law firm? Each time Tulkinghorn drops into Snow Hill he bumps into some übermensch about to embark on a Marathon des Sables or two.
Trowers hires two for Saudi offensive
Trowers & Hamlins is ramping up its successful Saudi Arabian office with two hires aimed at making a push into the corporate market.
Two Birds bows down to Diaz
Bird & Bird managed to stave off a libel action for American tabloid The National Enquirer on Friday (16 February), after the paper alleged that Hollywood actress Cameron Diaz was a love cheat.
UK lawyers welcome new AIM rules
UK lawyers have welcomed the amendments to the AIM rules, saying the changes will ensure it maintains the right regulatory balance to continue thriving.
Up, up - and then away
Fancy becoming a partner at Dewey Ballantine? No? Don't blame you, neither does Tulkinghorn. Still, if you were hankering after the badge then Dewey might be the firm for you.
US firms' revenue growth trend continues unabated
Several more US firms have released their financial results for 2006, adding to the general picture of modest growth painted by the dozen or so that announced their performance last week (12 February).
US hedge fund specialist launches in London
New York hedge fund specialist Tannenbaum Helpern Syracuse &Hirschtritt has opened an office in London, the firm’s first outpost from its New York headquarters.
Web week
The Lawyer's Web Week is a weekly commentary on legal activity on the web. This includes an overview of the best of the week's blogs. If you want to direct us to useful links, email webweek@thelawyer.com.
Weil scoops instruction from APN News & Media purchasers
Rising private equity star Jonathan Wood is leading on his biggest deal since joining Weil Gotshal & Manges from Lovells last year.
When is a conflict not a conflict?
When it involves football clubs.
White & Case to vote on three-tier management
White & Case to vote on three-tier management" /White & Case is expected to introduce a three-tier management structure as the firm finalises the radical overhaul of its global governance system.
Wilde times
Want to know Linklaters banking partner Nick Syson's unofficial reaction when he heard David Ereira was set to come across from Freshfields? "Yeah, we're getting the band back together."Once a Wilde Sapter, always a Wilde Sapter.
WilmerHale closes Oxford office
WilmerHale is set to close its Oxford office with managing partner Joe Pillman transferring to London.
WilmerHale unfazed by Heller raid as Europe gets overhaul
WilmerHale unfazed by Heller raid as Europe gets overhaul" /Heller Ehrman hammered the final nail into the coffin of the European dream that was the old firm of Brobeck Hale and Dorr when it scooped a three-partner corporate team from WilmerHale last week to help launch its London office (www.thelawyer.com, 12 February).
Wragges spreads its wings with Hong Kong, Guangzhou launches
Wragge & Co is set to launch in Hong Kong within the month, giving the firm its first presence outside Europe.
