26 July 2010
The Lawyer
Rock of wages
With Gibraltar’s transition from tax haven to mainstream financial services centre almost complete, Michael Castiel examines the impending changes
A winning bet
General counsel Dominic Bacon thrives on the challenge of building up legal teams from scratch. Andrew Pugh discovers that Bacon’s positive, hands-on approach is highly valued at WorldSpreads
Against all odds
?Despite recent setbacks, Cayman’s funds industry is holding firm and proving to be a barometer for the industry as a whole. By Tania Dons
Baker & McKenzie scores with Boon Rawd for Man Utd tie-up
Baker & McKenzie has advised Thailand-based Boon Rawd Brewery in its £6m sponsorship deal with Manchester United FC.
Bakers secures IP panel spot for JCB
Baker & McKenzie has been appointed as global IP counsel for manufacturing giant JCB.
BLG and HBJ create firewall for liabilities of Halliwells arrivals
Incoming Halliwells staff ringfenced into sub-LLPs to protect against potential claims from legacy clients
Channelling recovery
?The Channel Islands offer exciting opportunities as financial recovery looms, but how do they differ and what does the future hold? By Robin Smith and Ben Morgan
China crisis?
The Chinese government has taken a tougher stance on direct foreign investment, but this hasn’t stopped BVI or Cayman vehicles being the most efficacious medium for doing so. By Greg Knowles
Driving growth
With the economic recovery in a fragile state, international financial centres should be left to conduct business as usual as they aid growth in both the developed and developing economies. By Grant Stein
Eversheds staff bag £1K as firm achieves profit target
Eversheds will pay out a total of £2m in bonuses next month to all staff for the first time in two years.
Eversheds works on Dimension Data bid
Eversheds is advising IT infrastructure outfit Dimension Data in its £2.1bn proposed takeover by Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTTC).
Eversheds’ grand payout
Despite it being summer, these are still dark days.
Focus: Magic Circle work-life balance - Work, rest and fair play
With long hours the norm for most lawyers, achieving a work-life balance can be an uphill task. Should magic circle firms be doing more to help their associates?
Freshfields goes big on high-yield with Simpson Thacher swoop
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has taken the rare step of bringing in a non-partner from a rival firm as an equity partner.
Halliwells’ staff: where are they now?
When Halliwells filed notice of its intention to appoint an administrator at the end of last month (TheLawyer .com, 25 June), Mike Ward, senior partner at HBJ Gateley Wareing, got straight on the phone to Shay Bannon and Dermot Power at BDO.
Hammonds goes ahead with plans for Frankfurt launch despite Munich losses
Hammonds is looking to shore up its German offering, with one eye on Frankfurt - but the firm may have a tough time attracting partners following the closure of its Munich office.
Intellectual rigour
When it comes to innovation in the field of IP, Guernsey is leagues ahead of its competitors, both on and offshore. By Elaine Gray
Law firm profile: Arzinger
Ukrainian firm Arzinger was established eight years ago by two former general counsel who became disenchanted with working in-house.
Linklaters faces back tax for India work
?Linklaters could be facing a major tax bill for its India-related work following a Mumbai Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) decision to apply a retrospective amendment to its Income Tax Act. The ITAT upheld the original view of the tax assessing officer that all of the magic circle firm’s income relating to India dating back to 1995 should be taxable. Other firms could also be subject to the tribunal’s ...
No small change
Obtaining tax relief as a result of a costly mistake is difficult in England. Change may be on the cards, says Richard Wilson
Norton Rose boosts Asia IP with DLA swoop
?Norton Rose has continued to grow its Asian footprint with the hire of two IP partners from DLA Piper’s Hong Kong office. Non-contentious IP and technology specialist Gigi Cheah and contentious and non contentious IP lawyer Justin Davidson will join the City firm’s Hong Kong practice, taking its partner headcount to ...
O’Melveny bags top role on Coller’s Bank of Scotland deal
O’Melveny & Myers secured the prize mandate acting for longstanding client Coller Capital on its acquisition of a majority stake in Bank of Scotland’s private equity business.
Opinion: A simple mediation clause could avoid costly litigation
When dealing with difficult or intransigent disputants, having the ability to use a neutral to facilitate a negotiated settlement can be invaluable.
Our mutual friends
?The thriving financial centres of the Crown Dependencies are an essential part of the UK economy, a fact not lost on the coalition Government. Chris Bound and Susan O’Leary report
People moves
Dechert has taken on James Waddington, who joins the firm in London as a partner.
Prime location
Being part of the EU customs area with tax benefits, the Isle of Man is an ideal base for companies exporting into the EU. By Mike Edwards
SAS Daniels COO joins equity ranks
SAS Daniels has become the latest firm to promote a non-lawyer into its equity partner ranks. Chief operating officer (COO) Andrew Perry has taken over responsibility for the central management of all the firm’s offices across Cheshire. Perry joined the firm as business manager in 2003. “Equity status adds an even greater level of involvement and commitment,” he said, “and that’s a real motivator for me.” SAS Daniels joins a growing number of firms to have promoted non-lawyers into ...
SJ Berwin guides new client on e800m fund
SJ Berwin’s funds team has scored a new client in the shape of European LBO firm Gilde Buy Out Partners, acting for it on a new €800m (£677.48m) fund.
Smooth finish
Individual and corporate insolvency in Mauritius is now governed by a new act that aims to simplify the current legal framework. By Malcolm Moller
Taylor Vinters joins forces with Keystone
?Cambridge law firm Taylor Vinters has formed an alliance with Singapore technology specialist firm Keystone Law Corporation. The move comes shortly after the former’s London launch on 1 June. Taylor Vinters also has a relationship with another Singaporean firm, Engelin Teh Practice, which handles the firm’s litigation and arbitration issues in the country. According to Taylor Vinters chief executive ...
Time’s up for Fleet Street legal stalwart
After more than 30 years as a lawyer for The Times, Alastair Brett left this month. Katy Dowell looks back at a glittering career and conjectures on why it all ended so abruptly
Top sets post 100 per cent retention as work mounts
Several leading barristers’ chambers have reported 100 per cent retention rates for their newly qualified barristers as work levels for junior tenants soars.
Tulkinghorn: Every loser grins
Tulkinghorn dutifully ignored the wailing and gnashing of teeth that accompanied some minor football tournament in South Africa that seemed to excite so many people these past few weeks.
Wedlake Bell posts 120 per cent PEP hike
London-based firm Wedlake Bell has posted the biggest rise in average profit per equity partner (PEP) of the 2009-10 financial year so far - an astonishing 120 per cent
Winding down wind-ups?
The Cayman Islands has long been seen as an investor-friendly jurisdiction, but as Peter Hayden explains, winding up funds has become a whole lot trickier since the downturn
Work Life Quiz: Clive Seddon, Pinsent Masons
What’s your favourite film? Excalibur, directed by John Boorman.
