21 June 2010
The Lawyer
BLP hiring spree and tax umbrella policy paves way for City supremacy
Benjamin Franklin was famously quoted as saying: “The only things certain in life are death and taxes.”
Camerons switches to merit-based structure
CMS Cameron McKenna has ditched its associate lockstep remuneration model in favour of a merit-based system.
Claims that Kaye Scholer is ‘reeling’ are wide of the mark
Firm insistent it’s business as usual in wake of $20m partner’s exit. By Matt Byrne
Double standards
First it was on, then it was off, then it was on again: Mayer Brown and Simmons are doing a bit of a Burton-Taylor, but with a tad less flouncing.
Eversheds aids Royal London with property fund conversion
Eversheds has advised Royal London Asset Management (RLAM) on the conversion to its property fund to the new, more tax-efficient Property Authorised Investment Fund (PAIF) status.
FFW advises on massive £3m sale of slots.com gaming domain name
Field Fisher Waterhouse (FFW) has advised the seller in the largest reported internet domain name sale of 2010.
Financials: LG ‘delighted’, Norton Rose ‘down a little’
LG and Norton Rose are the latest firms to announce their 2009-10 financials, with the London South Bank neighbours producing markedly different results.
High diplomacy
After strike action, snow and volcanic ash, nothing surprises BA head of employment law Julia Harrison. She talks to Tom Phillips about battles with the elements, staff and angry customers
Hodge Jones & Allen
When Hodge Jones & Allen was founded 33 years ago it was part of a wave of radical law firms established to fight injustice for the disadvantaged and disenfranchised.
Law Soc surveys experts on 2020 legal scene
The Law Society is carrying out a consultation that will seek to establish the impact of outsourcing and the role of the representative body in a changing profession.
LG and TLT hit the right spot with snooker rights deal
LG and TLT have potted leading roles on promoter Barry Hearn’s acquisition of the commercial rights of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA).
MAB brings in Roiter Zucker founder
Roiter Zucker founding partner John Zucker has joined Matthew Arnold & Baldwin as a consultant in the corporate team.
Media trio instruct third party in defamation case
Three news organisations have made the rare move of instructing counsel to intervene as a third party in a defamation case in the Court of Appeal in order to protect the ’fair comment’ defence.
Moving up a grade
An unlikely union between foreign and domestic firms has thrust Serbia closer to opening its legal market. James Swift reports
Nabarro report on general counsel’s influence finds little room at the top
In-house lawyers will invariably claim to enjoy a great relationship with their commercial team.
Neuberger report: more solicitor judges wanted
The Law Society has long stated its belief that the judiciary should better reflect the diversity of the society it serves rather than being the preserve of the white, heterosexual, Oxbridge-educated, male barrister.
Open for business: the German Commercial Court, in English
The first Commercial Court case in Germany to be held in English took place at the end of May.
Opinion: It’s time for defamation proceedings to ditch the jury
The recommendation in Lord Lester’s Defamation Bill that the presumption of trial by jury be reversed, and the recent decision of the Court of Appeal of Fiddes v Channel 4 have put the spotlight back on the question of whether jury trials are desirable in defamation proceedings.
Outer Temple’s Lissack teaches Rada students a thing or two about courtroom drama
“There’s a lot of similarity between acting and the law,” says Victoria Ross.
People moves
Hailsham Chambers has announced that Bernard Livesey QC will become the latest tenant to join the set.
Simmons and Mayer Brown merger talks: round two
Rush for transatlantic tie-ups continues as Simmons schedules partner briefing this week
SJ Berwin announces investigations offering
SJ Berwin has launched a corporate investigations group to assist corporate and financial services clients on multijurisdictional investigations.
SJ Berwin cleans up with Wheb Ventures launch
SJ Berwin’s funds team has advised on its second closure this month with the launch of Wheb Ventures’ £105m Clean Technology Investment Fund.
Skadden finally puts its faith in CC antitrust ace Baxter
Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom’s hire of Simon Baxter from Clifford Chance last week represents the end of an 18-month search by the US firm.
Striking accord?
As Greek lawyers are forced to down tools in protest over the government’s austerity measures, not everyone agrees that this is the best course of action.
Talks resume
First it was on, then it was off and now it’s back on again. Yes, Simmons & Simmons and Mayer Brown are back in talks (see story).
Taylor Wimpey scales back panel
UK housebuilder Taylor Wimpey revamped its list of external advisers following a review of its legal panel.
The human element
MoFo London is outperforming the global business and its success in Asia is plain to see, but if this people-orientated firm is to challenge at the very top level, investment in Europe is a must
Tulkinghorn: Safety first
Tulkinghorn recently got the inside track on how the mind of a politician works.
Wiggin sidesteps new tax rate by shifting financial year-end
Media boutique Wiggin & Co has changed its tax year to escape paying the new 50 per cent tax rate for a year.
Work Life Quiz: Nigel Clark, Minter Ellison
What was the first record you ever bought? Fantastic by Wham.
