22 November 2004
The Lawyer
3/4 South Square the victors in MyTravel case
3-4 South Square has emerged as the one of the winners in today’s crucial court battle between MyTravel and its bondholders.
A very uncivil war
Bush is backing big business at the expense of its victims, say his Democrat opponents. Jon Robins reports on an anticipated four years of guerilla warfare over tort law reform in the US
A&O sneaks Brixton deal as CC is conflicted out
Allen & Overy (A&O) is advising property giant Brixton on its acquisition of the £675m Industrious property portfolio after Clifford Chance was forced to pass on the instruction because of a conflict of interest.
A&O takes up Countryside Alliance fight
Allen & Overy (A&O) is taking on the fight for hunting on behalf of the Countryside Alliance, The Lawyer can reveal.
Adams Canary Wharf launch scoops Waitrose as new client
Adams fledgling Canary Wharf office has won upmarket supermarket chain Waitrose as a new client.
Amvescap installs global risk management unit
Global asset management giant Amvescap is developing an international operational risk management unit in a bid to reduce the threat of facing another massive fine for improper trading.
Australia opens indigenous work to private firms
The Australian federal government has launched a tender process for firms interested in providing indigenous legal aid services in Victoria and western Australia.
Australia set to unify defamation legislation
Australia could introduce uniform national defamation laws after the country’s eight states and territories agreed earlier this month to support the development of new legislation.
BID whetter
US-inspired business improvement districts are being hailed as the answer to the UK’s declining town centres. Adrian Bland reports on the process
Blackstone backs up Refugee Legal Centre unfairness claim
Barristers from Blackstone Chambers acting pro bono have carried out two challenges in the Court of Appeal on key elements of the Government’s policy towards asylum seekers.
BP demands transparency from external legal advisers
BP is demanding access to key billing and financial information held by its external lawyers as part of a review of the energy giant’s global technology requirements.
Careers: in brief
A survey of 25,000 small and medium-size business customers by web-hosting provider 1&1 Internet, found that 77 per cent of the professions acknowledged a link between the launch of a website and the rise in their sales revenue.
Careers: people
Russell Jones & Walker announced a series of promotions across its national network of offices last week, with eight solicitors admitted to the partnership. They were: Neil Blundell, Rakesh Somaia and Jeremy Summers in the London criminal and investigations team, personal injury specialists Tristan Hallam, Nick Collins and Jonathan Reid in the London, Cardiff and Sheffield offices respectively, Julie Morris in employment in London and Adam Tulk as head of IT in Manchester. The promotions ...
CC loses rainmaker as partner is picked for FSA chairman role
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has appointed rated Clifford Chance investment funds partner Tim Herrington as the chairman of its Regulatory Decisions Committee, as revealed on www.thelawyer. com (19 November).
Clifford Chance to close Berlin office
Clifford Chance (CC) is taking an axe to its entire Berlin office following a management review of profitability.
Cobbetts wins unique four-council instruction
Cobbetts has beaten 27 other firms to the unique position as the preferred legal supplier to four Northern councils.
Commitment to diversity bags Reed Smith top Sara Lee place
Sara Lee Corporation has promoted US firm Reed Smith to the top tier of its panel, due in part to the firm’s commitment to promoting racial and sexual diversity.
Conference report: The European Legal Summit 2004
From 11-13 November, more than 200 delegates, including 120 in-house heads of legal, gathered in Rome for The Lawyer’s fifth annual conference, held this year in association with Lexis Nexis. Here we review five of the fifteen key sessions that took place
Corporate deals round-up
Clifford Chance (Guy Norman, Adam Signy, Mark Stewart) has advised Melrose, a UK-based cash shell, on an unsolicited hostile offer for £625.5m for UK conglomerate Novar. Novar was advised by Freshf
DLA hires Pinsents' IP head to lead Birmingham push
DLA has stolen Pinsents head of intellectual property to kickstart its Birmingham IP practice.
DLA, BLP predict £500K PEP
Mid-market stars DLA and Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) are predicting average profit per partner (PEP) over £500,000 as both post double-digit turn-over growth in the first half of the year.
Do you wanna be a record breaker?
It’s not just Cliff Richard that releases Christmas records. Media and entertainment firm Harbottle & Lewis has finally realised its staff have the talent to match its client base. The Harbottles crew has released an album of Christmas ditties with a title that Sir Cliff ...
EBRD probes Eastern Europe law
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is conducting a wholesale review of the commercial law systems of Eastern Europe to pinpoint areas in need of reform.
ECJ judge joins CMS Bureau Francis Lefebvre
CMS Bureau Francis Lefebvre has bolstered its European and competition expertise with the arrival of a former European Court of Justice (ECJ) judge as an of counsel.
Eversheds consolidates Midlands management
Eversheds has announced plans to consolidate its Midlands offices under one management team.
Ex-CC German chief resurfaces at Mayer Brown
Peter Nägele, former managing partner of Clifford Chance in Germany, is set to join the Frankfurt office of Mayer Brown Rowe & Maw in January next year.
Faegre Benson London in bid to join the management team
The London office of Faegre Benson Hobson Audley is close to securing a place on the management board of the US firm at the next elections, The Lawyer can reveal.
Firm profile: Eric Robinson Solicitors
Sometimes it can be painful to adapt, but the Southampton firm founded in 1964 by Eric Robinson is looking to change. The firm celebrated its fortieth anniversary over the summer and Robinson was there, but the firm he built on a platform of family work and serving local businesses has ambitions to spread its name beyond its current six-office geographical ...
Floating charges
Deals are concluded in many places – exotic countries, buildings of architectural significance… But Tulkinghorn thinks that a couple of City associates may have scooped the prize for oddest location to finish a deal.
Four enter the fray to become DWS chief exec
Denton Wilde Sapte’s (DWS) forthcoming chief executive elections will feature four candidates, it emerged last week. The possible replacements for Virginia Glastonbury are: Martin Kitchen, a former member of DWS’s consultation committee; former Denton Hall managing partner Jonathan Tatten (left); financial institutions head Howard Morris; and regulation ...
French govt looks to Herbert Smith for Snecma sale advice
Herbert Smith has scored a first-time instruction from the French government to advise on a unique privatisation.
Freshfields hedges bets with NY and London Olympic bids
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, one of the firms advising London 2012 pro bono on the capital’s bid for the Olympics, has also donated over $50,000 (£27,000) in support of a rival bid by New York.
Glazer frustrated as Man Utd board tries nipping bid in bud
Is the MUFC board’s rejection of Glazer in the best interests of the shareholders? By Helen Power
Grapevine
Baker light
Growing gains
Scottish Re has transformed itself. And with a new industry regulator in the shape of the FSA you have a hectic legal remit. By Joanne Harris
Half-year results: Addleshaws posts 13 per cent turnover hike
Addleshaw Goddard is predicting average profits per equity partner (PEP) of £400,000 after the firm posted a 13 per cent increase in turnover in the first half of the year.
Halliwells-Cuff Roberts marriage challenges Liverpool incumbents
Halliwells is breaking into the North West’s second-largest city through a merger with Liverpool-based Cuff Roberts, it emerged last week.
Harris wins Lovells election
Lovells has elected finance head David Harris to succeed Lesley MacDonagh as its new managing partner.
Hill Dickinson develops industrial diseases team
Hill Dickinson has bagged a new partner for its industrial diseases team from insurance specialist Plexus Law. Stephen Walsh joins the London office of Hill Dickinson in order to build up the firm’s industrial diseases team. He will be advising insurers and self-insured companies on litigation in this niche area. First revealed on www.thelawyer.com 15 November
International firms triumph in Paris bar elections
The number of representatives from international firms on the Paris bar council is significantly increased this morning (24 November) following the second round of elections.
Jacksons challenges the Hague Convention
Niche litigation firm Jackson Parton has scored a coup by forcing the Law Lords to rethink a legal point that has been at the centre of international trade and maritime law for half a century.
Kendall Freeman builds banking capability
Kendall Freeman is developing a banking practice with the hire of banking and finance partner Timothy Parsons from Barlow Lyde & Gilbert. It will be based on the firm’s existing insurance expertise and will include advising on insurance sector lending, leasing and structured finance and cross-sector risk transfer. First revealed on www.thelawyer.com 15 November
Kendall Freeman seeks injunction against former client
Kendall Freeman is fighting for its right to light as former client Land Securities proposes to build an 18-storey building in Fetter Lane.
Lammy commands elite of the legal profession to embrace diversity
Constitutional affairs minister David Lammy today (23 November) called on solicitors’ firms and barristers’ chambers to encourage diversity within the legal profession.
Latham makes up a record thirty-one partners
Latham & Watkins is following aggressive expansion with the largest partnership class in the firm’s history.
Law Soc faces £1m fine for complaints blunders
The Law Society could be fined £1m if it delivers another “inadequate” plan for complaints-handling. Legal Services Complaints Commissioner Zahida Manzoor last week said the society’s original plan contains “fundamental weaknesses” and has asked for a revised version by 6 December. Manzoor has the power to levy a fine of up to £1m if the society fails to meet her targets. First revealed on www.thelawyer.com 15 November
Law Society and Bar Council hammer out new QC scheme
The Law Society and the Bar Council are revolutionising the appointment of QCs with a new scheme announced today (23 November).
Law Society slams plans for UK 'FBI' agency
The Law Society has criticised government proposals to introduce an "FBI-style" agency to fight organised crime.
Life at Lovells
Helen Power, City editor
Linklaters ditches junior partner role in global harmonisation plan
Linklaters’ German practice is phasing out the role of junior partners in a bid to harmonise the job titles used by the firm’s international offices.
Linklaters NY aids Gold Fields to fight Harmony’s hostile bid
Linklaters NY aids Gold Fields to fight Harmony’s hostile bid" /Linklaters’ renascent New York practice has captured the US end of Gold Fields’ defence to a hostile bid by rival South African mining company Harmony.
Lovells faces crash in profits as City trumpets revenue hike
Half-year results: Lovells’ billings falter as Slaughter and May posts 47 per cent turnover rise; Clifford Chance, Freshfields flat
Macfarlanes private client star resurfaces at Maitland
Maitland, the South African trusts advisory group that took on Linklaters partner Rupert Weber, has also hired former Macfarlanes partner Michael Hayes.Hayes, formerly a partner in the City firm’s highly rated private client department, will join as a part-time consultant next month. He retired from Macfarlanes ...
Making your firm pitcher perfect
Pitching requires special skills. Peter Rush explains how to turn a beauty parade into a victory parade
Matrix boosts revenue by a fifth despite tenant losses
By Brendan MalkinDespite the loss of three key tenants, Matrix Chambers has reported a 19 per cent revenue hike for the first six months of the 2004-05 financial year.
Mauritius gives green light to foreign law firm access plans
Global ambitions see foreign firms able to form joint ventures and partnerships with local players
Morton Fisher set for merger with Gwynnes
West Midlands law firm Morton Fisher is to merge with Shropshire law firm Gwynnes to create MFG Solicitors. Subject to due diligence, the merger will take effect from 1 February. The new firm will have 24 partners and 200 staff in 10 offices across the region. First revealed on www.thelawyer.com 15 November
Olswang hires Jones Day head for pensions launch
Olswang has recruited Jones Day Reavis & Pogue’s UK head of pensions Martin Scott to launch its own pensions team.
Opinion
By easing red tape on public offerings, the SEC will bring the process into the 21st century
Pannones takes Mace & Jones construction head
Manchester firm Pannone & Partners has snapped up a partner from Mace & Jones.
Penningtons gains two for immigration, property
Penningtons has bolstered its immigration and property practices with the hire of two partners. Philip Barth joins from Mishcon de Reya as head of Penningtons’ immigration team, while commercial property specialist Jeremy Fieldhouse is joining from the London office of Scottish firm
Pinsents and Masons pick joint London chiefs ahead of December merger
Pinsents and Masons have named Martin Lane and Martin Roberts as joint London managing partners ahead of the national firms’ tie-up in December.
Press gang
The Government at present is really worried about how much it’s spending on such things as its lawyers’ fees and all those nasty inquiries. Lawyer redundancies beckon, which is perhaps why the Government has instead decided to invest so heavily in the far more important communications division.
Sainsbury’s ditches property panel review for fixed-fee plan
J Sainsbury has abandoned plans to overhaul its property panel and is now demanding a single fixed fee from its advisers.
Separated at Birth
The Government at present is really worried about how much it’s spending on such things as its lawyers’ fees and all those nasty inquiries. Lawyer redundancies beckon, which is perhaps why the Government has instead decided to invest so heavily in the far more important communications division.
Shaw Pittman London ripped apart by MoFo raid
Morrison & Foerster (MoFo) has raided Shaw Pittman’s London office by taking its three remaining partners including outsourcing star Alistair Maughan.
Shell fills up on international law firms
Shell International has completed an exhaustive six-month review of its global law firms.
Sidley names new managing partner in Asia
Sidley Austin Brown & Wood has chosen a new managing partner for its Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore offices. William Fifield, managing partner of Sidley’s Dallas office, will take over from Kenneth Cote in March 2005. He has been with the firm for 33 years. Cote will return to Sidley’s New York corporate practice after seven years in China. First revealed on www.thelawyer.com 17 November
Simmons identifies its next managing partner
Simmons & Simmons’ head of financial markets Mark Dawkins is to replace David Dickinson as managing partner of the firm. He is standing unopposed after being the only nominated partner to confirm that he would run for the role. The appointment is expected to be confirmed at a partners’ meeting in December. Dickinson stands down on 30 April 2005. First revealed on www.thelawyer.com 15 November
Simmons Milan in double client coup
Two client wins at Simmons & Simmons’ Milan office could signal a renaissance at a firm that was decimated by departures just 12 months ago.
Skadden hires Sanofi counsel into Paris fold
Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom has taken on the general counsel of French pharmaceutical company Sanofi-Synthelabo for its Paris office. Laurent Cohen-Tanugi joins as a partner in the M&A department after handling Sanofi’s unsolicited public bid for Aventis this summer. He lost the role of general counsel for the merged company to Aventis’s Dirk Oldenburg.
Speech therapy
It is important to consider mediation in property disputes – not least because the row is often with a neighbour. By Stephen Shaw
Stibbe IP duo quit to launch boutique
Dutch M&A heavyweight Stibbe is to restructure its intellectual property (IP) department following the departure of two of its partners, Jan Brinkhof and Kurt Stöpetie.The pair are leaving Stibbe along with two assistants to set up their own technology and pharmaceutical law boutique on 1 January. The departures will leave Stibbe with five fee-earners in its IP group. It will be subsequently folded into the firm’s litigation team.Brinkhof, the more senior of the two, is a former ...
Subject razing
Thanks also to Harvest PR for proving that Tulkinghorn is not alone in offering ‘deliberate’ mistakes.
Sweden’s courts fall foul of ECJ
Sweden faces censure from the European Commission for failing to refer enough cases to the European Court of Justice (ECJ).
The work-life quiz
Robert Manning, senior partner, Fox Hayes
Two more partners quit Jones Day London
Jones Day’s London office is facing the loss of two more legacy Jones Day partners.
UK Supreme Court’s costs estimated at £7m per year
The Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer of Thoroton, gave evidence to the Commons Constitutional Affairs Committee last week, estimating the cost of the proposed Supreme Court to be £7m per year.
We can work it out
The benefits of residential commonhold schemes are clear. But is commonhold a viable option for commercial investors? By Christopher Harrison
White & Case man pulls out of Paris bar race
White & Case finance partner Jean-Luc Boussard has pulled out of the race for a place on the Paris Bar Council following the first round of elections yesterday (23 November).
Who beat Richard’s Mighty Arse?
Thanks to Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr partner Richard Eaton for putting Tulkinghorn straight on his footballing facts.
Wilmer Cutler launches first mainland China base
Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr has become the latest foreign firm to launch an office on the Chinese mainland.
