27 September 2004
The Lawyer
‘Farce’ as Linklaters’ Galileo satellite job goes to Lovells
Linklaters.jpg" alt="‘Farce’ as Linklaters’ Galileo satellite job goes to Lovells" /Linklaters and Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu missed out on key roles on the mammoth Galileo satellite project following a “farcical” EU-run procurement process, which saw the pair left high and dry at the eleventh hour.
13 Old Square takes on fourteen new tenants
The new chancery set 13 Old Square, headed by former political speechwriter John McDonnell QC, has hired 14 tenants.
1COR bags four clinical negligence experts
With top sets growing in size to improve financial security, 1 Crown Office Row (1COR) has hired four tenants, including leading clinical negligence silk Elizabeth-Anne Gumbel QC.
A genuinely moving story
Partners are often quirky, unpredictable creatures. Sometimes they can’t be beat for their loveliness, other times their behaviour just seems wrong. Take this sad story.
A&O partner and two associates quit Turin office for solo endeavour
Allen & Overy’s (A&O) Turin office is losing corporate partner Fabio Alberto Regoli.
A&O primed to claim top spot for banks on securitisations in Greece
The magic circle firm is poised to reap the benefits of the burgeoning Greek market in the wake of the Olympics
Ashurst and CC set for final drama in Sumitomo trial
Ashurst and Clifford Chance are gearing up to face each other in the High Court next week (4 October) as the final stage of the Sumitomo fraud scandal comes to trial.
Ashurst sextet follows Forschbach to Latham
Ashurst sextet follows Forschbach to Latham" /Thomas Forschbach (left) will be joined at Latham & Watkins by six lawyers from his former firm Ashurst. Partner Nathalie Alibert, as well as Gaetan Gianasso, who will become ...
Bevan Ashford hikes real estate in Birmingham
Bevan Ashford has boosted its Birmingham real estate capability with the hire of a new partner. Former Kent Jones and Done partner Amanda Hanmore joined earlier this month. Birmingham lead partner Sara Woffenden said Hanmore will be instrumental in helping the firm enhance its position in the Midlands real estate market. The hire takes to 13 the total number of real estate partners across Bevan Ashford’s (soon to be Bevan ...
Birchams takes on Richards Butler projects man
Bircham Dyson Bell has bolstered real estate and major projects with the arrival of Richards Butler’s head of development projects unit. Nigel Brown joins Birchams this week as head of the firm’s non-contentious construction unit, which services both the real estate and major projects teams. A specialist in both non-contentious construction and real estate development, his appointment bolsters ...
Bird & Bird takes Norton Rose German partner
Bird & Bird has recruited an M&A and capital markets partner from Norton Rose to join its burgeoning German operation.
BLP public affairs head lands directorship at CRE
Berwin Leighton Paisner’s head of public affairs and public policy has been named as the new director of private sector at the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE).
Bringing down the spouse
Berwin Leighton Paisner’s managing partner Neville Eisenberg may think twice about initiating any friendly banter with fellow arts lovers after his usually unflappable composure deserted him on a recent night out.
CA former general counsel charged in accounting scandal
The former general counsel of US software giant Computer Associates (CA) could face 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to securities fraud.
Careers: in brief
Peter Godber, the driving force behind the LGG training unit for lawyers in local government, is to leave the organisation he set up 20 years ago. Godber, who launched LGG in 1984,will develop his own management and skills training consultancy, offering courses on in-house management and leadership skills. LGG represents around 3,200 lawyers working in local government and is frequently used by lawyers at City firms, including
Careers: people
Linklaters Madrid has strengthened its M&A and private equity practice with the hires of two associates from magic circle rivals. Alexander Kolb arrives from Clifford Chance’s corporate department, where he has worked since 1999, while Victor Manchado joins after five years at
CC litigation partner retires for Clyde & Co post
Clyde & Co has picked up a former Clifford Chance litigation partner as a consultant.
Charlie Wijeratna: London 2012
A host of City law firms are giving London’s Olympic bid their financial support. And it’s all thanks to London 2012 commercial and legal director Charlie Wijeratna. By Steve Hoare
Court of Appeal rejects older workers’ discrimination case
Two men at the centre of a far-reaching fight for the rights of older workers have had their case turned down by the Court of Appeal and are now considering their next move.
Customs to reform disclosure rules after swathe of blunders
Customs & Excise has instituted a wave of internal reform in a bid to avert any further damage to future prosecution cases.
DLA hits DWS with mass raid on TMT group
DLA is set to deliver a devastating blow to Denton Wilde Sapte (DWS) after securing over 40 lawyers from the firm’s flagship technology, media and telecommunications department.
Doppelgänger clanger
Mrs Tulkinghorn was in turn astounded and then relieved by the latest news flying from Coudert Bros.
Finance deals round-up
Sidley Austin Brown & Wood (Graham Penn, Partha Pal) represented Morgan Stanley on the first synthetic securitisation in the ELoC series, a commercial mortgage-backed securitisation programme arranged by the bank. Five loans were transfered secured by mortgages on Italian commercial real ...
Firms in U-turn over Cayman evacuations
Plans to evacuate scores of lawyers and staff from the Cayman Islands were scrapped as law firms restarted operations last week in the wake of Hurricane Ivan. Firms were planning to restart their Cayman operations in London, the US and neighbouring unaffected Caribbean islands. But with power and water returned to Cayman ahead of schedule, evacuated lawyers are in the process of being flown back to the island. First revealed on www.thelawyer.com 22 September
For the record
In ‘British Olympic Assoc head of legal pushes for ambush marketing laws’ (6 September) it was incorrectly stated that Collyer-Bristow advised Olympic sailing gold medal winner Ben Ainslie. Ainslie is sponsored by Collyer-Bristow, but is advised by Richard Butcher, head of dispute resolution at Payne Hicks Beach.
Former CC litigation head joins pals at Brick Court Chambers
The Bar has scooped one of its most high-profile recruits from the other side of the profession to date, with Brick Court Chambers securing the services of former Clifford Chance head of litigation Tony Willis.
Former nurse emerges as College of Law first trained lawyer
The College of Law (CoL) has trained up its first qualified solicitor since becoming a registered contractor.
Freshfields in lead for Chelsfield bid as SJ Berwin conflicted out
SJ Berwin conflicted out" /Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has emerged as the front-runner to act on the high profile sale of Chelsfield after key adviser SJ Berwin was ...
Fried Frank makes two London partner hires
Fried Frank has raided Ashurst and Simmons & Simmons for two high-profile partner laterals. The US firm has poached securitisation star Siân Withey from one-time merger prospect Ashurst and corporate energy rainmaker Jerry Walter from Simmons.
FSA plans for higher legal costs as more rulings are challenged
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) expects to increase its external legal spend again next year after more than doubling its budget for external enforcement to £5m for the 2004-05 financial year.
GE counsel tops list of in-house high earners
General Electric’s (GE) general counsel has been named as the highest-paid in-house lawyer in the US, after pocketing a staggering $4.365m (£2.449m) in 2003.
Good hearing
Tim Russell gives the lowdown on the forthcoming changes to employment tribunal regulation
Grapevine
Just when you think Nigel Knowles had gone quiet for a couple of weeks, back he comes with yet another grand gesture. As we revealed yesterday on www… lala la, the DLA managing partner is about to pull off the biggest team move ever in the legal sector by taking on a 40-lawyer team from Denton Wilde Sapte (DWS).
Grief steak
It’s been a long time coming, but it seems lawyers are finally getting a taste of their own medicine.
Grupo Torras ruling to decide on Caymans’ link with UK law
A Privy Council hearing next month in the Grupo Torras case – one of history’s longest fraud cases – could result in the UK’s overseas and Commonwealth territories gaining greater independence from UK parliamentary rule.
Hannes Snellman reports double-digit profit recovery
Finland’s second largest firm Hannes Snellman has recorded an astonishing 48 per cent rise in profits, smoothing the way for a new managing partner in 2005.
Hearsay
Which regional managing partner had a pre-law incarnation as a nude life model?
Herbert Smith hires Coudert Bros competition specialist
Herbert Smith has hired Coudert Brothers competition specialist Dominique Brault for its Paris office.
I get a kick out of you
There’s nothing like a bit of team building and, as one magic circle firm recently discovered, softball can be nothing like a bit of team building.
Kilpatrick continues UK recruitment drive
Kilpatrick Stockton is forging ahead with its aggressive UK recruitment drive after taking on a former Clifford Chance partner. Mary O’Connor, formerly an arbitration partner at the magic circle firm, will become a partner in the litigation department at the Atlanta firm’s London office. Just over a month ago, Kilpatrick scooped two senior IP partners from Simmons & Simmons. Its London head of IP ...
Kirkpatrick implements management change to San Francisco
Nicholson Graham & Jones’ (NGJ) imminent merger partner Kirkpatrick & Lockhart has shaken up its San Francisco management.
KPMG finds new general counsel at Linklaters
KPMG International has announced its first UK-based general counsel, bringing in senior Linklaters corporate partner Tom Wethered.
Last Cawthra Feather
August saw the launch of Last Cawthra Feather’s (LCF) sports law team, an unconventional development for a regional firm made all the more unusual by the presence of former professional footballers-turned-consultants Jim Pearson and John Hendrie.
Law Society forges links with Nigeria for human rights push
The Law Society is attempting to help develop human rights in Nigeria with this week’s launch of the British Nigerian Law Forum.
Lester Aldridge breaks into London with takeover
Lester Aldridge will gain its first foothold in London after absorbing 200-year old property, commercial services and private client boutique Park Nelson.
Linklaters brings in replacement for Moscow top spot
Linklaters is drafting in a London corporate partner to manage its Moscow office as the incumbent prepares to return to the UK after 13 years in Russia.
Linklaters’ Sweden names new office leader
Linklaters’ Swedish office is shaking-up its management by ushering in a new managing partner.
Lovells on cloud nine as Galileo PPP lands in its lap
With big projects deals thin on the ground, Joanne O’Connor reports on a surprise blow for Linklaters
McDermott unveils Dorsey corporate hire for London
McDermott Will & Emery’s London office is bumping up corporate with a lateral from Dorsey & Whitney.
Merger talks ignite between Lawrence Graham and T&L
Lawrence Graham and T&L" /Lawrence Graham is in advanced discussions with Tite & Lewis (T&L), the former law firm of accounting giant Ernst & Young (E&Y).
Milbank capture sees MoFo grow in Tokyo
Morrison & Foerster (MoFo) is blazing ahead with the expansion of its Tokyo office after scooping a senior finance partner from Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy. Tsugumichi Watanabe has worked in both New York and Tokyo and has more than 20 years’ experience of acting on complex financing transactions. MoFo is also taking on an extra floor at its Tokyo offices, allowing it to expand from 65 lawyers ...
Milbank overhauls Asia management for Japan drive
Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy has joined the growing throng of firms shaking up its Asian strategy as the US firm re-jigs the regional management.
Minter Ellison gains Shanghai head from Masons
Australia’s Minter Ellison has raided Masons in China to strengthen its Shanghai office with a new figurehead. David Cox has been appointed to the new position of Shanghai head and replaces senior associate YiYi Wu, who has been the firm’s key contact in Shanghai since 2001. Cox joins from Masons, where he was a key member of the Greater China team. His appointment brings Minter Ellison’s team in Shanghai to six. First revealed on www.thelawyer.com 21 September
Mitsui Yasuda yields more lawyers for Orrick
Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe picked up its second partner from Japan’s Mitsui Yasuda Wani & Maeda.
Morgan Cole ponders Croydon fate as Rees quits
Morgan Cole is reviewing the viability of its Croydon office as news emerges that the firm’s head of employment has quit for Eversheds.
Nabarros triumphs in first FHR deal for Savoy
Nabarro Nathanson has seen its first deal for hard-fought-for client Fairmont Hotels & Resorts (FHR) come to fruition as the Canadian company prepares to take over the management of the Savoy Hotel.
New Indian government drops DLA on Dabhol power project
DLA has had its role on the high-profile Dabhol power project arbitration terminated. It is understood DLA’s instruction from the Indian government was cancelled earlier this month following a change in government and the appointment of the new Indian Attorney General Milon Banerjee.
Nicholsons, Kirkpatrick tie the knot
The first transatlantic merger of the year is going ahead after partners at Nicholson Graham & Jones and Kirkpatrick & Lockhart voted through a tie-up.
Norton Rose’s Cologne team gears up for defection to CMS
Norton Rose may be on the verge of losing its entire Cologne office as its partners accelerate talks with CMS Hasche Sigle.
Opinion
Employment lawyer wishes to meet mediator with view to harmonious relationship. Every employment lawyer knows there is more workplace litigation about than ever before. The latest annual report of the Employment Tribunals Service (ETS) acknowledges a 17 per cent increase in tribunal applications for 2003-04. The reasons are many and include the Government’s penchant for introducing new ...
Pays and means
The Lawyer’s exclusive examination of Mayer Brown Rowe & Maw’s LLP accounts show that the London partners have been on a premium since the merger. But with the war chest from MBR&M’s global coffers, where’s the growth? Catrin Griffiths reports
Pinsents and Masons merger gets partners’ vote
The merger between Pinsents and Masons is set to go ahead after the firms’ partners voted in favour of the tie-up. The combination will go live in early December, creating a merged entity with £150m in turnover. The new firm, which will be known as Pinsent Masons, will house 240 partners, 900 lawyers and 1,500 staff.
Regions to be cheerful
The scenic route to partnership. By Clio Demetriades
Remainder of Freshfields’ Bangkok staff join Coudert
Coudert Brothers is set to pick up the remaining vestiges of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer’s Bangkok office, beating DLA and Australia’s Minter Ellison to secure the deal.
Remuneration frustration
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is known for having slightly unusual methods for paying its staff. For some time the formula for paying barristers who represent the CPS has been based on a belief that it takes only a few seconds to read a document. Not unreasonably, not a small number of barristers have disagreed with this formula.
Romania’s courts to be specialised
The Romanian government will inaugurate the country’s first specialised commercial court on 1 October as part of a process to match its legal system with the EU’s.
Separated at birth
Sometimes… you know… you get to feeling blue. Feeling down, like the world’s cares are on your shoulders and nobody loves you any more. Heck, you know the kind of feeling – despair, despondency, desperado (why don’t you come to your senses…?). It’s come around again now, like it does every year, and you know the reason why, don’t you? Yep, it’s because now is the time for ...
Shearman scores dual hire for West Coast push
Shearman & Sterling is forging ahead with its Californian recruitment drive after scooping its second lateral in less than a month. IP litigation partner Brian Cannon leaves Fish & Neave for Shearman. He will rejoin former colleague Vicki Veenker who left Fish & Neave four years ago to establish Shearman’s IP group at Menlo Park.
SJ Berwin wins Goldman mandate on CC conflict
SJ Berwin has secured its first major instruction for Goldman Sachs Asset Management after the fund manager’s longstanding firm Clifford Chance was conflicted out.
Skadden and Slaughters land bumper CEMEX mandate
Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom has teamed up with Slaughter and May to act on one of this year’s largest takeovers as Mexican cement maker CEMEX acquires the UK’s RMC for £2.3bn.
Skadden shores up European M&A with Paris placement
Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom has become the latest US firm to transfer a heavyweight partner to its Paris office in the form of senior corporate partner Blaine Fogg.
Tag of war
Collapsed claims giant Tag’s former employees are seeing life from the other side as they try to claim through no win, no fee. Jon Robins reports
The email of the species
Getting past the 1940s-style receptionists, episode six: “I’m not authorised to give out email addresses,” announced the glum receptionist at Broxbourne District Council when asked for contact details for its head of legal as part of a research project at Lawyer Towers.
The panel system as a defence tactic
Our front page story this week highlights an issue which goes to the heart of the debate on conflicts: client choice, or in this case, the lack of it.
The work-life quiz
Ronnie Fox, senior partner, Fox Williams
Trowers hires Kidd Rapinet private client head
Trowers & Hamlins has signed up South East firm Kidd Rapinet’s private client head. David Semmens joins Trowers as a partner in the firm’s developing private client department, under the direction of group head Luke Valner. First revealed on www.thelawyer.com 22 September 2004
V&E shuts up shop in Singapore as it sets up in Tokyo
Texas-based Vinson & Elkins (V&E) has realigned its Asian operations with a new office in Tokyo and the closure of its Singapore branch.
Wanted: law firm to sue the UK’s big five banks
How the banks have played the panel system and firms’ fear of conflicts – and destroyed client choice
White & Case wins Italian heavyweight for Milan rebirth
White & Case has snared the name partner of Italian independent Morano e Associati and a team of 20 lawyers for the US firm’s Milan practice.
Willing and disabled
From October, the Disability Discrimination Act will apply to businesses with fewer than fifteen employees. Christopher Fisher reports on two important and relevant cases
Zurich cost-cutting sees global review of advisers
Insurer Zurich has launched a global review of its external legal services in a move to rationalise its legal spend and will form its first official panel of preferred advisers as part of the process.
