Top corporate transactional partner Keith Hughes specialises in US securities law, private equity and M&A transactions. He set up Akin Gump’s London office in 1997 and has been a senior partner in the office ever since. Moving with him is a four year qualified associate, Maherin Gangat, who has worked with him on a number […]
I was somewhat amused by a large display advertisement from Freshfields last week in The Lawyer. It had the heading, in large type, “Ahead of the game”, and was illustrated by a galloping cheetah. No self-respecting cheetah wants to be ahead of the game – just behind it, and eventually on top of it. But […]
CFAs have been around for two years, but many firms seem reluctant to offer them. Alasdair Pepper reports. The majority of people cannot afford to hire lawyers to represent them in litigation of any substance on a normal fee-paying basis. Historically, the options have been legal aid (when available), cover from insurance (if they happen […]
“Ashursts was plan A. This is our plan B,” so says Bill Voge, Latham & Watkins’ executive committee member. It’s not taken the US giant long to bounce back from the collapse of talks with Ashurst Morris Crisp, but far from plan B being second best, it could mark a sea-change in the way US […]
Paisner & Co represented a Prada Group German subsidiary Jil Sander on the establishment of its London store and additional offices. The firm also advised Prada on the lease of premises which will become its UK headquarters. David Levy, a property partner at Paisners, headed both deals.
Eusoff Chin, a top Malaysian judge who has been accused of “improper” socialising. Photos of Chin with his arms around a prominent male lawyer and adviser to one of Malaysia’s biggest business tycoons while on holiday inNew Zealand in 1994 were posted on the internet. A government minister said:”Certainly such socialising, shall I say, is […]
A meeting between Jack Pratchard, Tom Henderson and a new client. Henderson: You know what our problem is Jack? Pratchard: Ermm, we’re comically incompetent and corrupt to such an extent that it’s unrealistic that we’re still in business – yet still manage to earn millions in a never fully explained fashion. Henderson: No, young Pinochet. […]
Relatives of some of the 96 Liverpool fans killed at Hillsborough had to sit through videotapes of the crush at the Sheffield Wednesday ground in 1989. The families were attending the opening of the trial of former chief superintendent David Duckenfield and former superintendent Bernard Murray. The pair deny the manslaughter of two representative victims, […]
When Ashley Simpkins (Enough Is Enough, 12 June) reads my election statement he will note the reference to the “last chance saloon” for the Law Society. If I really am the “powerful figure” Simpkins describes, I hope that both he and the electorate will vote to give me the chance to show how the “last […]
The Franklin Mint v the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Fund. US fans of Diana can continue to collect the People’s Princess Doll, her ensembles and even a wardrobe/carry case. The maker of the doll has won its legal battle with the memorial fund, which sought to stop the company producing Diana memorabilia. Lawyers argued […]
Davenport Lyons represented New Media Industries on the reverse takeover of Nautilus Group, valued at £33m. Rebecca Ferguson, corporate partner at Davenports led a team of two on the deal while Edwin Coe advised Nautilus.
Mishcon de Reya represented e-commerce and internet ventures group Bright Station on the acquisition of most of the assets of boo.com. Bright Station is buying up the e-commerce technology assets and associated intellectual property rights of the company which is currently in provisional liquidation. Mishcons corporate and commercial partner Larry Nathan led a team of […]