21 April 2003
The Lawyer
Addleshaws faces rent bill as partners vote to merge
Addleshaw Booth & Co will lose £1.5m in rent fulfilling the lease on its London office after moving in with its City merger partner Theodore Goddard.
BLP promotes six to partnership
Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has promoted six lawyers to its partnership, bringing the total number of partners at the firm to 122.The new partners are Greg Calladine-Smith and Ian Waring in real estate, Naveen Vijh in property finance, James Good in planning, Andrea Macaulay in insurance and reinsurance and Steven Williams in construction and engineering.Neville Eisenberg, ...
Bristows beats patent judgment
Bristows has succeeded where Bird & Bird failed and become the first firm to overturn a certificate of validity for a patent in the High Court.
Caught on the hop
Hammonds marketing honcho Simon Bailey was having a little difficulty with his voicemail message the other day when Tulkinghorn rang for a chat. "Hello, this is Simon Bailey," the message went. "I'm working in London today, or you can get me on my mobile on…" at which point the tannoy in the airport blared: "WILL ALL PASSENGERS WAITING FOR THE FLIGHT TO ALICANTE PLEASE BOARD NOW."After playing the voicemail several times for comedy value, Tulkinghorn called Simon ...
CC drops number of partnership promotions
Clifford Chance has slimmed down on partner promotions this year, making up 31 lawyers compared with 39 new partners in 2002. London, like last year, announced the largest number of partner promotions with nine associates joining the partnership. However, this was down on last year, when 15 lawyers were made up. First revealed on www. thelawyer.com/lawyernews, 15 April
City old guard dominate M&A rankings for first quarter 2003
The UK M&A tables for the first quarter have turned up the usual culprits in terms of the top rainmakers, but there were a couple of new names on the list.
Colt set for legal rejig with first in-house hire
Colt Telecom, which late last year fought off an attempt to push it into administration, has appointed the former European counsel of GE Capital Europe Jane Forrest as its general counsel, a newly created position.
Coming unstuck
Tulkinghorn has got used to law firms rebranding as though spending money on old rope's going out of fashion. What surprised him recently, though, was hearing that Barlow Lyde & Gilbert seems to have unbranded.Last week, word reached Tulk-inghorn that the firm has had a new reception put in, without a whiff of its logo anywhere to be seen.Tulkinghorn went to investigate, and heard the following sorry tale: the logo, which was to go on the glass panels ...
Competing values
In the global economy there has to be cooperation between countries, but the competition world is finding that there are fundamental differences in US and EU positions.
Corporate deals round-up
Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom (Lou Kling, Howard Ellin, Phillip Adams) acted for News Corporation on its $6.6bn (£4.2bn) acquisition of a 34 per cent stake in Hughes Electronics, which is being split from GM. News Corporation was also advised by Hogan & Hartson on tax and by Harris Wiltshire & Grannis on satellite regulatory issues. Jenner & Block represented GM with additional ...
Cost cutting
Many thought that Master Hurst's ruling in Ahmed v Powell would spell the end for cost negotiators. But, says Andrew Parker, as long as they are saving money, their popularity will hold.
Coudert rallies against Russian negligence claim
Coudert Brothers is seeking leave to appeal a judgment handed down in February that found the firm had acted negligently on a £5.5m Russian share purchase for UK clothing manufacturer IML.
Coudert US partners stage boardroom coup
First British chairman Beharrell quits executive as New York tightens its grip.
Death duties
Lawyers can make money out of literally anything these days. Take, for example, Clifford Chance and DLA, which both recently trumpeted on about a big securitisation for Dignity Finance. This is all very well until you realise that Dignity Finance is, in fact, a funeral home operator. What could possibly be next? The leveraged buyout of a pet cemetery?
Dewey Ballantine scores Gibson Dunn insurance litigation head
Gibson Dunn & Crutcher has lost its co-head of insurance and reinsurance litigation David Grais to the New York office of Dewey Ballantine.Grais, who had been with Gibson Dunn since 1998, has a practice focussing on insurance and reinsurance, IT litigation and general commercial litigation.Commenting on the appointment, Everett L Jassy, chairman of Dewey Ballantine’s management committee, said: "David brings a wealth of knowledge in reinsurance and IT litigation ...
Dickinson Dees profits soar by 14 per cent
Dickinson Dees has posted a 14 per cent rise in both turnover and overall profits. The firm saw 2002 revenues hit £35.8m, up from £31.5m in 2001, but average profits per partner rose less dramatically, from £280,000 to £300,000. Dickinson Dees managing partner Neil Braithwaite (above) said that the smaller profits per partner increase was due to a rise in the number of partners at the firm. First ...
DJ Freeman finalises redundancy programme
DJ Freeman has confirmed the final number of redundancies resulting from the disintegration of the firm, and the formation of niche insurance/litigation practice Kendall Freeman.
ECJ admits translation backlog
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has admitted delays in translating its growing case records into English, blaming staff shortages caused by a dearth of multilingual EU lawyers whose mother tongue is English.
EU supreme courts come under ECJ
An Austrian professor is creating a new legal right for EU citizens, allowing them to sue their national supreme court for damages if its rulings break EU law.
Eversheds instructed by Gresham College
Eversheds has been appointed as the sole legal adviser and company secretary to Gresham College following a competitive tender.
Fair dues
A recent ruling means that companies insured by insolvent insurance companies can now claim defence costs from the FSCS.
Farrers wins sports lawyer from Olympic body
Farrer & Co has appointed the British Olympic Association's former director of legal and public affairs Robert Datnow as a senior solicitor in its sports team. Datnow has wide commercial, dispute resolution, event organisation and sports regulatory experience, having advised sponsors, licensees, sports agencies, government bodies, events owners and athletes.
Fee fighter
Structadene boss David Pearl hates paying lawyer’s fees. Emma Vere-Jones reports
FIRM PROFILE: Underwoods
A bit of healthy introspection is Underwoods' path to expansion
Firms clamour for a piece of Italia's Seat sale
The complexities surrounding the merger of Italy's Olivetti and Telecom Italia are continuing to multiply as law firms race to pick up the last remaining roles.
Friends reunited
Tulkinghorn was chuffed to receive a thank you letter from Jonathan Pearl, Sony Business Europe's chief counsel, following his recent Client File interview. In the letter, Pearl noted that in addition to the host of emails from friends and colleagues, the interview also prompted an invite to have tea at the House of Lords with Lord Andrew Philips.Philips gave Pearl his first job fresh from law school, so Tulkinghorn was delighted to reunite master and apprentice. It ...
Galloway turns to Davenport Lyons for Telegraph battle
George Galloway, the Labour backbencher suing The Daily Telegraph, has picked media firm Davenport Lyons to act for him. Galloway said yesterday that he will sue the newspaper for libel after it accused him of taking as much as £375,000 a year from Saddam Hussein in return for support for the fallen dictator.
Gleiss wins IP star from Cornelius Bartenbach
Herbert Smith's German ally Gleiss Lutz has raided Cologne firm Cornelius Bartenbach Haesemann & Partners, which is currently in talks to form an alliance with Eversheds.
Harbottle & Lewis cuts staff for first time
Niche media firm Harbottle & Lewis is joining the growing list of firms making redundancies this year, after cutting five lawyers and a number of support staff.
Has Osborne Clarke lost its way in the City?
The technology slump has done nothing to help the firm conquer London.
Hill Dickinson hire promotes employment dept
Hill Dickinson has appointed Philip Farrar as a partner in its Liverpool office to strengthen the firm's employment department. Farrar spent two years at Carlisle-based Burnetts and before that gained experience at the Birmingham office of Mills & Reeve. He has experience in dealing with NHS and wider commercial work.
Holman Fenwick in management shake-up
For the first time, Holman Fenwick & Willan has appointed a managing partner, while senior partner Robert Wilson has been replaced by Roderick O'Sullivan.
Irvine under fire for silk appointment hike
The Lord Chancellor stands accused of attempting to dilute the upper echelons of the Bar by appointing more silks than ever before, despite a marked reduction in the number of applications.
Jones Day loses bankruptcy chair
Second bankruptcy partner leaves to join Gibson Dunn in NY
Kay & Boose closure delivers New York team to Davis Wright
The New York office of Seattle firm Davis Wright Tremaine has hired six partners from a New York media firm that is winding down its practice.The haul from Kay & Boose includes managing partner Andrew Boose and partners David Callahan, Graham Coleman, Nancy Felsten, Leonard Orkin and Marcia Paul. Four associates will also join Davis Wright.Boose focussed on entertainment, intellectual property and corporate and commercial work for clients in the publishing, theatre, ...
Klett Rooney hikes first-year pay
Pittsburgh-based Klett Rooney Lieber & Schorling has raised its first-year associate salaries from $105,000 (£66,700) to $110,000 (£69,900) in its Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Newark and New Jersey offices.
Latham & Watkins in fresh raids on Linklaters and Simmons
Linklaters is continuing to find itself vulnerable to US firms' attentions after losing a Paris capital markets partner to Latham & Watkins.
Leader
It's so easy to get silk these days even Tony Blair could get it. Doesn't matter that he hasn't practised for eons, his pal Derry Irvine is making a novel play to destroy the junior bar - make them all QCs.
Linklaters hikes corporate in Tokyo
Linklaters partner Casper Lawson is due to relocate to the firm's Tokyo office in May to head up the corporate practice, focusing on M&A, restructuring and equity issues. Linklaters' Tokyo office has approximately 30 lawyers, practising capital markets, structured finance and corporate law.
Making his mark
From cosmetics to Field Fisher via the Paris Ritz, John Olsen has had a long fight to get due recognition for his trademark practice. Steve Hoare reports
McDermott partners set to do battle over the top spot
McDermott Will & Emery is kicking off its search for a new chairman, with two senior partners emerging as potential candidates.
Memery Crystal fights claims of 'false' statements on AIM listing
Memery Crystal has been reported to the Metropolitan Police for allegedly filing false statements under the Companies Act on a 1999 AIM flotation.
Minters closes in NY and San Diego
Australian firm Minter Ellison is closing its New York and San Diego offices and consolidating its presence in a new base in San Francisco.
Nauta Dutilh cashes in on Luxembourg's appeal
Nauta Dutilh is capitalising on Luxembourg’s increasingly attractive fiscal environment by expanding its new office in the country.The firm has hired Loyens & Loeff senior tax associate Frédéric Feyten as a partner and plans to add a number of junior tax specialists.Nauta opened in Luxembourg in November 2002, when it relocated Rotterdam tax partner Derk Prinsen to launch the office. The firm is now committed to focusing its presence in the Benelux and ...
New Zealand ponders Privy Council abolition
New Zealand is considering whether to abolish the role of the Privy Council in its judicial system in favour of a more localised version.
Norton Rose gears up to fight for bondholders over Corus
Norton Rose is set to enter the increasingly fraught battle to reorganise troubled steelmaker Corus after the firm won a role acting for the secured bondholders.
Norton Rose in Singapore reshuffle
Norton Rose has appointed a new managing partner in Singapore following the election of Paul Giles as the firm's chairman.
Not at all fishy
The very suggestion that Stephenson Harwood is not a happy and healthy little family is enough to drive its chief executive John 'the Pike' Pike into a giant tizz. Recently, a question was put to him whether two senior ship finance partners at the firm were looking to, err, jump ship.The Pike demanded to know the source of the rumour, adding that those who leave tend to ...
Objection
Mr Justice Lightman believes the legal profession is too much like a business and solicitors are encroaching on barrister's turf. Jon Robins asks: is he out of touch?
Olswang scores a Hat Trick for Kleinwort
Olswang has scooped a role acting for Kleinwort Capital on its possible acquisition of a stake in Hat Trick Productions after the private equity house's long-time adviser Macfarlanes was conflicted out.
Opinion
Negative press commentary concerning pensions is undoubtedly persuading some people to suspend contributions to their pension policies and to seek alternative methods of funding retirement. However, with income tax relief of up to 40 per cent on contributions, pension funding has a head start over alternative retirement planning investment methods, so the opportunity should not be given up lightly. Besides, I believe there is a useful investment solution which gives security and optimises ...
Pinsents partner defects to Lee Crowder
Pinsent Curtis Biddle's Birmingham office has lost another property partner to Lee Crowder. Eleanor Deady is due to join the Birmingham-based firm in June. Last month, Pinsents lost property partner Jon Austin who resigned to join Lee Crowder as its new property department head. First revealed on www.thelawyer.com/lawyernews, 15 April
Please release me
A press release from Manchester firm Cobbetts has never hit Tulkinghorn's inbox with such impeccable timing.Last Monday, Tulkinghorn indulged his hilarity at the 51 press releases some firm called Poppleston Allen had sent him on the new-ish Licensing Bill, with a near half page of ranting.And what should come through that morning from our dear friends at Cobbetts? Trailing a mere 51 press releases behind our friends at Poppleston Allen, Cobbetts sent a ...
Shearman gears up for Italy
As deal activity in Italy reaches fever pitch, Shearman & Sterling is on the brink of launching a practice in the country.
Shooting stars
Despatches from the high life, part 362: Tulkinghorn is perturbed to hear that Taylor Wessing partner Dominic Fitzpatrick (bottom) may be joining the glitterati - but not through his own efforts. A chance remark in the school playground meant that his son was asked to make up the numbers in a catalogue shoot with some other kids.Assuming that it was probably a photo session for one of ...
Simmons scoops international trade award
Simmons & Simmons has won a Queen's Award for Enterprise in the international trade category, which recognises outstanding achievement in international trade.
Simmons Trenité aids Greenfield's mm02 bid
A close relationship with Greenfield Capital Partners paid off for Simmons & Simmons Trenité last week when the Dutch private equity house emerged as the successful bidder in mm02's auction of its loss-making Dutch subsidiary.
Singapore Law Soc prompts anti-thief accountancy rules
A string of recent cases involving fraudulent lawyers has prompted the Law Society of Singapore to change rules regarding law firm accounting practices.
SJ Berwin uses US contingency fees to battle for UK investors
In the first case of its kind, a UK law firm, SJ Berwin, is preparing a US-style class action on behalf of pension fund investors against an array of US companies hit by corporate scandal.
Speak to my secretary
Tulkinghorn was recently amused to discover that some press officers are so important they have their own PRs.One of his scribes rang the Lord Chancellor's Department press office the other day with a simple query and was greeted by somebody who politely refused to put the scribe through. "I need to ask you what your query is so I can direct you to the right press officer, you see," the sub-press officer said.The dep-uty assistant press officer then put ...
Survey shows big City firms are flexi-friendly
Larger London-based firms with over 100 fee-earners are more likely to offer flexible working than the smaller ones, while outside London this trend is completely the reverse, according to a new flexible working survey.
Sweet sixteen
The joy of youth means that you can get away with all sorts of mischief you'd get crucified for as an adult. Take the example of a particular partner at Berwin Leighton Paisner, who, when a wee lad of 16, took on a bet that he could consume a whole bottle of Bailey's Irish Cream before a long haul flight. Needless to say, the gullible eejit chundered all the way down his front.
Taylor Wessing hires in-houser for Düsseldorf
Taylor Wessing has hired CEA Capital Partners investment director Ernst-Albrecht von Beauvais as a partner in its Düsseldorf office. Von Beauvais is a media specialist who previously worked for Bertelsmann Group. He has also worked as head of business development at German pay-TV station Premiere. At Taylor Wessing he will concentrate on international M&A and leveraged buyouts, with a particular ...
The story so far
Last week, The US Law Firms in London Salary Survey, produced by recruitment consultants Taylor Root with The Lawyer, revealed that the number of UK associates promoted to partner in US firms had decreased by 10 per cent this year. US firms promoted 70 per cent of their partner entry-level UK associates this year, compared with 80 per cent of the comparable groups the year before.Bob Goldspink, London head of litigation, Morgan Lewis"We've made up ...
Third female partner departs CC Munich
City litigators are queuing up to take a swipe at Mr Justice Lightman after his withering attack on commercial lawyers.
Veale Wasbrough to advise Wiltshire police
Bristol firm Veale Wasbrough has won a mandate to advise the Wiltshire Police Authority, after successfully competing in a tender process. The firm will advise the body on employment, property, construction and litigation work.
Welcome to Cartel Hell
The OFT has been given a wedge of new powers in a bid to crack down on price-fixers. Sanjay Bhandari and Bill Batchelor predict tough times ahead for cartels.
