25 October 2010
The Lawyer
Asda brings in first head of legal
Asda Stores has appointed its first head of legal as the supermarket chain breaks into city centre retail.
Bridging the gap
As heavily indebted companies look to refinance, senior secured bonds could provide the answer. By Brian Conway
Call for investigation as Jersey lawyers are accused of ‘cartel’-style behaviour
Lawyers’ fees in Jersey are too high and “exhibit all the characteristics of a cartel”, according to one States Member, who wants an investigation.
CC and schoolkids put the world to rights
Canary Wharf, probably more than any other global financial centre, is a geographical and sociological enigma.
CC, Freshfields and Herbies pick up roles on Stagecoach bus buy
Clifford Chance, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Herbert Smith have taken the leading roles on transport group Stagecoach’s purchase of the operating subsidiaries of the East London Bus Group.
Chance to show who’s boss
Senior partner elections are sometimes seen as a distraction from the real business of running a law firm, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Chinese lenders turn to Norton Rose for Greek deals
Norton Rose has advised the Chinese arrangers of three separate loans to three Greek shipping companies totalling $275m (£172m).
Dane sailing?
Hannes Snellman seems to have hit the ground running with its new Danish office, but many in the market think there will be tougher times ahead. By James Swift
Day wins showdown for SJ Berwin top job
SJ Berwin has elected Rob Day as its new managing partner after he beat fellow corporate partner Perry Yam in the second round of voting.
Fladgate helps German retailer set up shop in UK
Fladgate has advised German retailer Jack Wolfskin on the company’s first foray into the UK market.
Focus: Simmons female representation - Lady billers
From boasting an enviable proportion of female partners to currently having one of the worst showings in the City, Simmons is trying to tackle the problem head-on
FSA’s media screening plan is worrying and contradictory
Tucked away in the September edition of the FSA’s ’Market Watch’ newsletter were some pretty startling proposals concerning the regulator’s intention to monitor communications between regulated companies and the media.
Happy to help: Eleanor Doohan, Asda Stores
Eleanor Doohan, general counsel and company secretary at Asda Stores, extends her company’s service ethic to the legal function. By Luke McLeod-Roberts
Into the valley of debt
Refinancing was a breeze in the good old days, but now it’s set to kick up a storm, say Christian Pilkington, Mark Glengarry and Patrick Schumann
Laid-off minority lawyers toil for no pay
Some black and minority ethnic (BME) lawyers are working for free because they failed to land paid training contracts or work after they were made redundant.
Lawyer charged with ‘public insult’ in Dagestan after alleging beating by police
A human rights lawyer from Russia is facing criminal charges for ’public insult of state officials while on duty’ after alleging she was beaten by police.
Linklaters on defensive as Freshfields makes incursion into blue-chip stable
With rivals trying to strike it rich by luring prize clients, Linklaters circles the wagons.
London Boroughs Legal Alliance grows from cuts
Local authorities’ legal teams band together for safety as public sector cutbacks start to bite
Macfarlanes introduces senior associate tier
Macfarlanes, considered one of the most conservative firms in the City, has revamped its career progression system with the introduction of a senior associate level for the first time.
Macfarlanes, Sackers advise as EMI hikes pension fund to tune of £200m
Macfarlanes and Sacker & Partners have advised on a pensions deal that has seen record company EMI agree to pay almost £200m into its pension scheme.
Manches vows to make post-recession comeback
Manches is set to enter a fresh era of growth under the leadership of newly appointed chief executive Judit Petho.
People moves
Penningtons has hired Wedlake Bell partner Julian Yew as a partner in its London employment team.
Public sector legal teams feel the squeeze
If there were any doubts that the clouds of doom have settled over the UK, last week they were eliminated when the chancellor George Osborne announced his Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR).
Revealed: the transatlantic firms on the premier litigation mandates
Gross litigation income figures fail to tell the whole story, explains Matt Byrne
Thompsons escapes SDT rap in miner claims scandal
Thompsons Solicitors has escaped referral to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) despite chief executive Stephen Cavalier being ’severely reprimanded’ by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) over the firm’s part in the cash for miners’ claims scandal.
Thorntons
While most leading Scottish firms view an Edinburgh office as a prerequisite for success, Dundee-headquartered Thorntons Solicitors has only had a presence in the capital since 2004.
Tulkinghorn: Safety drill
Bandwagon-jumping alert! Tulkinghorn received the following missive from Lehmann Communications on behalf of Russell-Cooke on 13 October.
Work Life Quiz: John Marshall, Russell Jones & Walker
What was your first-ever job? Working in a dairy making cheese.
