28 February 2011
The Lawyer
Big Apple could make small potatoes of London and Toronto’s big exchange
US-German deal and swing to Asia could dwarf LSE-TMX merger.
Cleary, Slaughters act on Diageo’s Mey Icki purchase
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton and Slaughter and May took the leading advisory roles on Diageo’s £1.3bn acquisition of Turkish spirits producer Mey Icki last week.
Coach drivers
Coaching has matured to an extent where the skills it bestows can be passed on from one generation of partners to the next. Nigel Spencer highlights the benefits to firms that are prepared to make the investment
Diamond in the rough
As firms continue to chase revenues around the globe, there appears to be no consensus on which region holds the golden ticket to a lifetime’s supply of cash-cow work.
EU-South Korea free trade agreement heralds new dawn for Western practices
Following years of speculation the South Korean legal market is finally set for liberalisation.
Everything Everywhere finalises legal personnel
Everything Everywhere general counsel and company secretary James Blendis has completed the restructuring of his 45-strong legal team, with three lawyers each from Orange and T-Mobile winning top roles.
Focus: Pinsent Masons and Salans - Ever the twain?
If Pinsents’ and Salans’ relationship was ever intended as a courtship leading to merger, the lack of mutual attraction now makes a wedding unlikely
Fountain Court QC prepares to bring Lloyds TSB to book
Winckworth Sherwood partner Jim Rai has instructed Fountain Court silk Brian Doctor QC to represent a group of former Lloyds TSB shareholders in their legal battle against the bank.
Freshfields adds socio-economic background to census questions
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is to ask partners and employees to disclose details of their socio-economic backgrounds under plans to extend its national firm census.
From build to billed
Kuwait is finally realising its plan to improve its infrastructure, with private investment now part of the process. James Swift finds out how the legal profession is playing this one
Google’s gardening leaver
At this year’s Hampton Court Palace Flower Show - the world’s largest such event with more than 150,000 visitors - one of the eight gardens chosen for the prestigious Conceptual Gardens category will be shown off by a very unusual gardener.
Howrey lawyers leave in droves with remainder kept in the dark
Latest flurry sees high-profile departures on both sides of the Pond.
Ilex rebuts study saying legal execs get raw deal
Legal executives remain the underdogs of the profession despite a push by the Institute of Legal Executives (Ilex) to make the role the third legal career path.
Joseph Flom, 1923-2011
Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom name partner Joseph Flom passed away last week (23 February) at the age of 87.
KKR turns to Bakers for advice on divestment of Seven Media
Baker & McKenzie has landed a mandate advising private equity powerhouse Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR) on the sale of its stake in Seven Media Group (SMG) to West Australian Newspapers (WAN).
Manches creates mediation links in response to MoJ rule
Manches is setting up a network of firms that divorcing clients can turn to for mediation after the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) last week unveiled a directive aimed at keeping divorce cases out of court.
Muckle compounds Watson Burton exit woes
Watson Burton insolvency chief Andrew Cawkwell has joined Newcastle firm Muckle to lead its restructuring and insolvency team, becoming the third practice head to leave the firm for a North East rival in the past year.
Norton Rose, Pinsents instructed on Energees’ move to control Regal
Norton Rose and Pinsent Masons have claimed the mandates for the sale of a controlling stake in Regal Petroleum to Ukrainian bidder Energees Investments.
On the move
South West firm Foot Anstey has continued to bolster its key business areas with the hire of three senior lawyers.
Opinion: Prevent confidential leaks as there may not be a cure
Following the media storm caused by the publication of thousands of US diplomatic cables, Wikileaks’ ’whistleblowing’ campaign appears to be focusing on private entities.
Paul Hastings credits resurgent real estate for revenue hike
Paul Hastings has reported a 1.5 per cent increase in global revenue to $902m (£559m) for 2010, with managing partner Greg Nitzkowski citing real estate as a major driver behind the growth.
Revenue hike sees Edwards Angell vie for elite US status in City
The London office of US outfit Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge (EAPD) saw its London turnover rocket by almost 50 per cent in 2010, putting it on course to break into the top 30 US firms in the City.
SFO hires à la mode as A&P makes it three
A third senior SFO figure has left to join the City office of a US firm.
SNR Denton’s Africa capability extends to 22 states with Portuguese alliance
SNR Denton has added 10 firms to its Africa network, bringing its total number of tie-ups on the continent to 21. Including its own Cairo office, the firm now has a toehold in 22 of Africa’s 54 countries.
Speechly woos DLA partner to lead PE team
Speechly Bircham has hired DLA Piper partner Malcolm MacDougall to head its private equity practice. McDougall, who was based in DLA Piper’s London office, is the second partner to leave the firm’s corporate practice in recent weeks, with partner Kiran Sharma heading to Ropes & Gray.
The ACE face: Ken Underhill, ACE European Group
Ken Underhill, GC at insurance giant ACE European Group, not only runs a tight ship, he also wants his panel advisers safely on board. By Katy Dowell
The late late show
The review of legal services education is of paramount importance if UK lawyers are to be competitive in today’s global marketplace. Nigel Savage reflects on its late showing and the potential outcomes
Tulkinghorn: Sparrow gawk
Decorating a law firm with appropriate details such as legal statues, sculptures and paintings can occasionally help create the right atmosphere and even represent the overall mood of the business.
Winston pinpoints DC, Houston as Howrey talks reach climax
Chicago-based firm homes in on 40 per cent of remaining partners and acquisition of brand rights
