2 July 2007
The Lawyer
300-lawyer A&O team completes Tyco split
Allen & Overy (A&O), McDermott Will & Emery and Gibson Dunn & Crutcher have completed the three-way $65bn (£32.4bn) split of Tyco International, the biggest spin-off in the world so far this year.
A&O opens doors to Düsseldorf office
Allen & Overy (A&O) has continued its aggressive expansion plans by opening a Düsseldorf office with a former German managing partner from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.
A&O overhauls management team in Germany
Allen & Overy (A&O) has overhauled its management in Germany, announcing a new managing partner and senior partner.
A&O, Ashurst and SJ Berwin scoop £1bn Canary Wharf deal
Allen & Overy, Ashurst and SJ Berwin each landed a role advising on the £1bn sale of Citigroup's Canary Wharf European headquarters, with the deal closing on Saturday night (30 June).
Addleshaws, the maverick judge and a big fat telling-off
A judge getting slammed by the Court of Appeal? A judge in discussions with a law firm for a new job?
Alright Dave...
It's official: Davids rule the legal profession. Davids Cheyne, Childs and Morley (of Linklaters, Clifford Chance and A&O respectively) are just three namesakes of 259 littering the market (or the database of recruiter Badenoch & Clark), which rather usefully went and counted them all up.
Baker Botts raids Dewey Ballantine for corporate hire
Baker Botts' London office has poached a corporate partner from Dewey Ballantine.
Bakers lands top deal in booming Saudi market
Baker & McKenzie has bagged a lead role on a market-shaping deal in the Saudi mineral and mining industry.
Barclays adds 10 new firms to panel
Barclays Bank has appointed 10 new firms to its panel after announcing the completion of its panel review.
BBC Worldwide restructures as legal chief bags promotion
The BBC’s director of business and legal affairs Sarah Cooper has been promoted to chief operating officer (COO) at BBC Worldwide.
Blackstone dominates Sheff Utd hearing as relegation stands
A trio of Blackstone chambers barristers played key roles in an arbitration victory for the FA Premier League after Sheffield United failed to overturn its demotion to the Championship next season.
Blair's former set 11KBW looks to build on success forged during PM's 10-year term
The former prime minister Tony Blair may have given up his tenancy at No 10 Downing Street last week, but there is one building where his name is still on the door: his former chambers 11KBW.
BLP assists SFO with bribery investigation
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has been in contact with Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) in relation to a bribery investigation being undertaken by South African prosecutors.
BLP raids CC for new head of tax
Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has bagged Clifford Chance partner Michael Wistow for its newly created role of head of tax. Wistow will work with corporate tax head John Overs, head of personal tax Jonathan Kropman and Moira Protani, head of charity law.
Brazilian IP firm splits as founding partner lures 22 to start-up
Brazilian firm Di Blasi Parente Soerensen Garcia & Associados has split in two, forming new IP firm Soerensen Garcia Advogados Associados.
Buss Murton unveils construction group
Kent firm Buss Murton has poached partner John Kings from South East rival Lester Aldridge to start a new construction group.
Camerons helps grow Wellcome Trust's portfolio
CMS Cameron McKenna and DLA Piper have advised on Wellcome Trust's purchase of a £325m residential property portfolio.
CC scores role advising Debevoise client
Clifford Chance has scooped a role advising longstanding Debevoise & Plimpton private equity client Clayton Dubilier & Rice on an exit.
CC takes BLP real estate partner in revenge raid
Clifford Chance has hit back at Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP), which poached its tax partner Michael Wistow last week (28 June), by hiring BLP real estate partner Franc Peña.
CC, Dickson Minto, Travers and Pinsents steer Saga-AA merger
Dickson Minto, Travers and Pinsents steer Saga-AA merger" /Clifford Chance, Dickson Minto, Travers Smith and
Channel 4 Diana saga was a privacy non-starter
Nearly 10 years after the death of the Princess of Wales, the media fascination with her continues. But an indication that most of what can be said about her death has been said already is the fact that the much-hyped Channel 4 programme Diana: The Witnesses in the Tunnel, when shown last month, passed off without much comment.
Charles Russell in High Court battle
Charles Russell is gearing up for a High Court battle after being accused of breach of contract.
Chinese spice
Since its admittance to the WTO, China's business environment has been greatly enhanced. Now it's the turn of the legal system, says Jane Newman
Clarke Willmott launches third raid on local rivals
Bristol-based Clarke Willmott has made its third raid on local rivals in a week, scooping the head of tax and estate planning at TLT Solicitors.
Coyle White Devine in bid to go national
Heather Mills McCartney’s former divorce lawyers, London and Buckinghamshire dispute resolution boutique Coyle White Devine, has declared its intention to become a national firm.
Cultured Muckles undergoes arty rebrand
Newcastle's Robert Muckle Solicitors has rebranded as 'Muckle LLP'.
DLA Piper bags Camerons Warsaw partner
CMS Cameron McKenna Warsaw partner Michal Zieniewski is to join two former Squire Sanders & Dempsey partners at DLA Piper's fledgling Warsaw office.
DLA Piper sees Pakistan Airways' EU ban lifted
DLA Piper's regulatory team has succeeded in having an EU ban on Pakistan International Airways (PIA) partially lifted after just three months.
DLA Piper strengthens Cologne with White & Case hires
DLA Piper has beefed up its international energy law practice with the addition of a partner and senior associate in Cologne.
Drunk gall or trunk calls?
Tulkinghorn hears that banking partner James Johnson stole the show at Clifford Chance's recent partnership retreat in Barcelona.
Equity head is richest legal aid barrister
Balbir Singh, head of Birmingham-based Equity Chambers, has been named the UK's highest-paid legal aid barrister. The annual figures from the Ministry of Justice revealed that Singh, a former magistrates clerk, had raked in more than £1.1m in the 2005-06 year.
Eversheds raid forces Weil to axe Brussels office
Eversheds has beefed up its Brussels presence with the addition of a team of lawyers that includes the head of Weil Gotshal & Manges' local office, M&A partner Stanislas De Peuter.
Eversheds wins major Samsung Euro contract
Eversheds has won its third sole-provider contract this year after scooping a role advising Samsung on all its European legal requirements.
Far East and India
In recent years the thriving industrial markets inAsia have encouraged the legal profession to advance and take advantage of the lucrative opportunities available.
Flint Bishop & Barnett equity rejig sees PEP breach £500K
Midlands firm Flint Bishop & Barnett has restructured its equity partnership, sending its average profit per equity partner (PEP) rocketing past the £500,000 mark in the process.
Flint Bishop strikes blow to Tesco's nascent property site
Flint Bishop Solicitors has scored a victory against Tesco, forcing the retail giant to pull hundreds of housing adverts from its fledgling home-selling site.
Flitting boom
Restructuring a company by transferring it to a different jurisdiction has its benefits, but equally it raises a number of questions, say Ken Baird and Paul Sidle
Flotations provide rich pickings for firms prepared to do the legwork
There is little glamour about taking a company public, but it is financially rewarding. By Margaret Taylor
Foot Anstey nets double-digit growth in PEP and turnover
Foot Anstey had another strong year in 2006-07, posting a growth in turnover of 11 per cent to £16m.
Freshfields girds itself for age discrimination fight
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has increased the number of witnesses it intends to call for the age discrimination claim of former insolvency partner Peter Bloxham, which starts a week today.
Freshfields leads on latest German megadeal
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer completed its second major German-based private equity deal in a week after advising Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR) and Permira on their EURO3.3bn (£2.2bn) sale of broadcasting group SBS.
From tobacco to wackos
Lovells' gentle smokers have lived in relative luxury ever since the firm moved into its Atlantic House headquarters back in 2000.
Geza the Caesar
As The Lawyer revealed today, almost a quarter of the UK's lawyers want to quit the law. See story. This astonishing statistic has been picked up by the media all around the world, from The Today Programme to newspapers in Japan.
Going straight
Corporate scandals have triggered a rethink in Japan's approach to compliance as business looks to learn from its global counterparts. By Peter Godwin
Halliwells plans overhaul of partner review system
North West firm Halliwells is revamping partner remuneration with a review of its modified lockstep structure.
Hammonds gets the nod for Fulham FC's kit deals
The sports group at Hammonds has held onto Fulham FC as a client, scooping the lead role on the club's kit supply and sponsorship deals.
Hammonds turnover sneaks up and PEP rockets
Hammonds has boosted average profit per equity partner (PEP) 23 per cent from £328,000 last year to £404,000, the firm’s 2006-07 financial year-end results reveal.
Heavy petting
Louise Stonier, the head of legal at Sir Alan Sugar's favourite pet store Pets at Home (in case you missed it, the cats and dogs shop played a starring role in the second instalment of the most recent series of The Apprentice), has no excuses for not owning a pet.
Herbies' global expansion push stifles profit growth
Herbert Smith had a muted year in 2006-07, with average profit per equity partner (PEP) dropping by 2 per cent on last year's figure.
Herbies probes in-house counsel for ADR insight
Herbert Smith has launched a study into how effectively and efficiently alternative dispute resolution (ADR) can be used by in-house counsel.
Herbies scoops £12.8bn Blackstone deal for Hilton
Herbert Smith has scooped a role on the Blackstone Group's $26bn (£12.8bn) acquisition of the Hilton Hotels Corporation, one of the private equity house's first major transactions since listing on the New York Stock Exchange last month.
ILaw tells clients to name their price for legal work
Niche IP firm iLaw has launched an offensive on City IP practices with a new initiative whereby clients dictate the fees they pay.
Insolvency
Insolvency practices are starting to gear up for the anticipated downturn of the UK economy. US firms have been lobbying the UK Government to change the UK's insolvency laws to parallel those in the US. This would mean a reduction in the power of customers and suppliers during administration.
Insolvency: Turning point
As banks realise the opportunities they offer, turnaround funds are becoming an increasingly used method of insolvency. By Bryan Green
Irwin mitchell loses Hra case in lords
Irwin Mitchell has lost its House of Lords appeal to stop a private care home operator evicting an 83-year-old Alzheimer's sufferer. The Lords held that the Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA) only applies against public bodies, meaning it would offer no protection to those in private care, even when a patient is placed by a public body. Irwin Mitchell partner Yogi Amin instructed David Pannick QC ...
Italian boutique launches in Brussels
Italian independent Negri-Clementi Toffoletto Montironi & Soci (NCTM) has launched its first international office, opening in Brussels.
Judge slammed by Appeal Court after Addleshaws spat
Mr Justice Peter Smith was slammed by the Court of Appeal today (4 July) for marring his judgment with his personal feelings in a recusal application.
Keeble grows with Doncaster tie-up
Yorkshire's Keeble Hawson has merged with Frank Allen Pennington, giving the firm a new base in Doncaster.
Knowing me, knowing you
Despite reservations from some, India will benefit from the liberalisation of its legal market. By Alex Pease
Landmark takes both sides as Court of Appeal rules on CSA issue
Landmark Chambers found itself on both the winning and losing sides of a Court of Appeal legal tussle that resulted in a ruling that the Child Support Agency (CSA) does not owe a duty of care in how maintenance payments are assessed.
Legal leaders welcome representatives in new PM's cabinet
The appointments of Jack Straw as secretary of state for justice and Baroness Scotland QC as attorney general by Prime Minister Gordon Brown has been broadly welcomed by the legal profession.
Linklaters revenues smash a billion; PEP hits £1.29m
Linklaters has announced record figures for this financial year, with revenues overtaking a billion for the first time and average profit per equity partner (PEP) rising 21.5 per cent to £1.29m.
Links reshuffles finance leadership
Linklaters made a raft of appointments last week, leading to the appointment of a new global head of financial markets and two new practices being launched in Amsterdam.
Links' silver lining
Clifford Chance can breathe again. Linklaters hasn't caught up.
Litvinenko suspect turns to Addleshaws for libel defence
Addleshaw Goddard has given preliminary advice on defamation to Andrei Lugovoi, the former KGB operative named by the UK Government as the chief suspect in the murder of Alexander Litvinenko.
Louise Stonier: Pets at Home
After having opened 20 stores last year Pets at Home is aiming to open 20 more this year, and legal head Louise Stonier and her team have proved key to the company's success. By Malar Velaigam
Lovells wins BNP Paribas court action
Lovells has won a victory for BNP Paribas by defending a discrimination case brought against the bank by former employee Katharina Tofeji. Tofeji alleged that, following the birth of her daughter, BNP Paribas made it difficult for her to return to work part time. The Employment Tribunal dismissed Tofeji's claims, which included direct and indirect discrimination and victimisation, failure to agree to flexible working requests and unfair dismissal. Lovells partner Elizabeth Slattery ...
Lovells, CC play key roles in German private equity deal
Lovells' German practice has acted for longstanding private equity client Advent International in its €770m (£520m) acquisition of Permira's majority position in discount retailer Takko.
Maclays pleased with 12 per cent growth
Maclay Murray & Spens has unveiled significant increases in both turnover and profit in its annual results for 2006/07.
MBRM beefs up Cologne with CC hires
Mayer Brown Rowe & Maw (MBRM) is to boost its German insurance practice with the addition of Clifford Chance counsel Ulrike Monnich and associate Michael Marx.
MBRM ramps up City finance practice
Mayer Brown Rowe & Maw (MBRM) has boosted its London finance group with the addition of Elana Hahn as a partner. Hahn, currently an associate at Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy, will join the firm on 2 July.
McDermott raid sparks change at Lovells Italy
Lovells has seen a number of changes in its Italian presence following the departure of two lawyers to McDermott Will & Emery.
Mourant raids Guernsey rival following split
Jersey-headquartered Mourant du Feu & Jeune has bolstered its growing Guernsey office with the hire of equity partner John Lewis from local rival Collas Day following its split earlier this year.
Nabarro becomes Sportingbet favourite
Nabarro has won a role as online gambling company Sportingbet's principal corporate adviser, filling the void left by Ashurst. Ashurst and Sportingbet parted company at the end of last year, bringing to a close their long-term relationship. Since then the company has sought corporate advice on an ad hoc basis, but has ...
New European Patent Office chief calls for quality
The new president of the European Patent Office (EPO) Alison Brimelow has started her term in office with a vow to improve the quality of patents issued by the office.
Orrick chief backs Paris office to bounce back after defections
US firm Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe's Paris managing partner is focusing on growing the office after a recent spate of high-level departures.
Paul Hastings' German team quits to launch boutique
Paul Hastings Janofsky & Walker has lost the German desk of its London office, after five lawyers left to set up their own firm with offices in Munich and London.
People
•Baker & McKenzie has hired Addison Braendel as a partner and head of the real estate and alternative fund formation team and Sarah Harris as an associate in its Chicago office from Mayer Brown Rowe & Maw.
PEP debacle forces Watson Burton to open up its equity
Watson Burton to open up its equity" /What a difference 12 months can make. At this time in 2006, equity partners at Newcastle's Watson Burton were the envy of the Geordie legal world, bagging an average profit per equity partner (PEP) of £712,000 - far clear not only of local rivals, but ...
Pinsents boosts City pay by £10K
Pinsent Masons has boosted salaries for its newly qualified associates (NQs). City NQs will now see an additional £10,000, a rise of 19 per cent from the previous figure of £53,000 to £63,000.
Pumfrey and Rimer promoted to Court of Appeal
The Court of Appeal has two new Lord Justices, with Mr Justice Rimer and IP judge Mr Justice Pumfrey moving up to the higher court.
Review calls for overhaul of bar complaints system
A wide-ranging review of the bar’s complaints-handling process has called for the implementation of 52 recommendations in a bid to address significant weaknesses in the current system.
SABMiller nets Lovells relationship partner
Lovells equity capital markets partner Stephen Jones will quit the firm to take up an in-house post at longstanding client SABMiller.
Simpson Thacher and Davis Polk steer KKR towards IPO
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett and Davis Polk & Wardwell have landed key roles advising on Kolberg Kravis Roberts' (KKR) proposed stock market flotation.
Skadden and Sullivan bag key roles on Och-Ziff IPO
Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom has secured a key role on the latest flotation of an alternative investment group.
Solicitors' Code of Conduct in post-makeover launch
The new Solicitors' Code of Conduct was unleashed on the legal profession yesterday (1 July) after five years in the making.
Sparring partners
Tulkinghorn is getting ready to rumble. This October Carmelite Chambers and David Phillips & Partners presents to the legal profession… Fight Night II. The latter is a personal injury specialist. How spectacularly appropriate.
That sinking feeling
On Monday (25 June) The Lawyer revealed that Irwin Mitchell was one of the growing legion of UK law firms that may seek a stock market listing in the post-Clementi era.
The firm that turned
What a relief. After months fielding calls about suing departing partners, Hammonds managing partner Peter Crossley can reveal a welcome piece of good news: turnover and profit both up at the year-end.
The law loses its lustre
Nearly a quarter of you want to quit. In a desperately competitive recruitment market, that's just about the last thing law firm managers need to hear.
The perfect host
Planning your summer holiday? Well, you may be interested to hear a traveller's tale from Slaughter and May head of corporate Chris Saul before you book anywhere too exotic.
Transfer err
Far from improving matters for insolvent companies, the new Tupe rules have just muddied the waters. By Andrew Gregory
Travers Smith stars on private equity deals
Two Travers Smith partners have had a particularly busy week on private equity deals and IPOs.
Trio faces tribunal fight with ex-employee
Dickinson Dees, Hammonds and Pinsent Masons are facing an employment tribunal claim from a lawyer formerly at all three firms.
Twenty four per cent of lawyers want to quit
A quarter of all lawyers want to get out of the law, according to the largest-ever research programme in the legal profession.
Understanding their motivation helps retain staff
Attracting good people is, of course, a major priority for law firms, but the real challenge is keeping them. The first step is to understand what motivates people, and financial incentives seem to be moving down the pecking order and are being replaced with a very clear idea among employees about the types of environment and culture they wish to work in.
US firms lead fight for disabled army veterans' compensation
Foley & Lardner, LeBoeuf Lamb Greene & MacRae and King & Spalding are to provide pro bono legal advice to help combat-injured US soldiers apply for compensation.
Walker Morris promotes six to partnership
Leeds-based Walker Morris has appointed six new partners, bringing the total number to 52. The new partners are spread across practice areas, with property gaining two in the form of Rachel Cowper and Jacqueline Seddon.
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 loses private equity partner with departure of Rosen
Weil Gotshal & Manges' London-based private equity partner Will Rosen is set to leave the firm, having handed in his notice today (3 July).
Welsh lawyer faces fine over miners' compensation
A Law Society council member has admitted to five breaches of professional rules in relation to his dealings with the miners' compensation scheme.
White & Case taps Bakers for emerging markets push
White & Case has expanded further its capital markets London team with a partner hire from Baker & McKenzie.
Work Life Quiz: Libby Savill, Olswang
Wragges joins salary war with 20 per cent pay hike
Wragge & Co has joined the associate salary race among national firms, upping starting salaries for its City newly-qualified associates (NQs) by more than a fifth.
