29 March 2010
The Lawyer
18 St John Street criminal barrister’s advice gives Corrie plots a real feel
Barrister Paul Dockery of Manchester set 18 St John Street Chambers has an unusual claim to fame: in his spare time he advises Coronation Street’s script writers on the legal aspects of the show.
A taste for law: Suzanne Wise, Premier Foods
As counsel for Premier Foods, creating a legal function to reflect the vastly altered focus of the company has been Suzanne Wise’s bread and butter. By Corinne McPartland
American’t for Ashurst
Ashurst has never been shy of growing via laterals.
Ashurst chiefs on back foot after crisis meeting
Geffen, Bromwich forced to explain laterals and junior partner ’logjam’
BLP, Maples snap up shopping centre sale
Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) and Maples Teesdale have acted on a deal that sees a string of shopping centres that had been funded by a Lehman Brothers loan sold to the fund UK Commercial Property Trust (UKCPT).
BNP barrister sparks debate on workplace ethics
The decision by St Philips Chambers to distance itself from former barrister Roger Grierson, who is to fight a seat for the British National Party (BNP) at the general election, has instigated heated debate among Birmingham lawyers.
CEE farers
Austria’s law firms have been put through the ringer in CEE, but after having seen off competition from UK and US giants they are feeling a lot more positive about their future prospects in the region. By James Swift
Chris Allen: Blacks Solicitors
What was your first-ever job? Dough machine cleaner in a bakery.
Cleary partner jumps ship to tax chambers
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton tax partner Nikhil Mehta has quit the firm to join Gray’s Inn Tax Chambers.
Cubism bags chief for employment launch
London litigation boutique Cubism Law has hired David Buckle from Thames Valley firm BP Collins to launch its employment practice.
Dorsey would rather talk about City resurgence than its former partner
Can the firm’s progress in London distract attention away from the Rimmington trial? By Matt Byrne
Everatt & Co
Everatt & Co is that rare beast - a defendant personal injury (PI) firm that appears to be thriving in the current price-conscious, panel-obsessed environment.
Focus: Gide Loyrette Nouel, French redressing
When Gide launched in London in 2003 it hoped to crack the City. Seven years on and its UK lawyers are feeling the pressure
Full steam ahead for Ashurst on Crossrail procurement deal
Ashurst has won a mandate to advise on the procurement of rolling stock and construction of a depot for the £15.9bn Crossrail project.
Hedge fund managers’ unhappiness postponed along with AIFM directive
EU investment restrictions and tough regulations are only a matter of time.
Herbies motors into advisory job for Arriva group takeover
Herbert Smith has bagged a prize mandate acting for transport group Arriva on its prospective takeover by Deutsche Bahn.
Highest-earning French independent Fidal takes second place in Europe
French law firm Fidal posted a turnover of e295m (£265m) for the 2009 financial year, putting it among the top two largest independent law firms in Europe.
Hogan’s top Berlin rainmaker to stay put following Lovells tie-up
The soon-to-be-merged Hogan & Hartson and Lovells have scored a coup in Berlin by holding on to Hogan’s main rainmaker in the city despite most of the office spinning out into a standalone practice.
Howes Percival sets up shop in the City
Regional firm Howes Percival has launched its London office with the recruitment of Blake Lapthorn insolvency chief Nick Oliver as a partner.
Indisputable progress
Arbitration has long been central to commerce, but its processes have never been a good fit for the business world. Now, proposed changes to the IBA Rules look set to bring it into line. By Lord Goldsmith QC and Sophie Lamb
Linklaters names head of NY green team
Linklaters has appointed Jean-Philippe Brisson to head its US environment and climate change practice in New York.
Loyens & Loeff elevates Amsterdam tax boss to role of managing partner
Loyens & Loeff, the third- largest independent firm in Europe by turnover, has elected Amsterdam tax partner Maarten van der Weijden as its new managing partner.
Mind the gaps: partner exits kick off promotion frenzy
A number of firms have made emergency promotions to deal with gaps left by sudden partner exits against the backdrop of the beginning of a slow but steady UK partner promotion season.
North West councils negotiate panel freebies
Twenty five local authorities in the North West of England have appointed 35 firms and 26 chambers to a new panel.
Olswang settles on real estate chief
Olswang has filled the hole at the top of its real estate group with the recruitment of a former Mayer Brown partner.
Opinion: US corporate fraud investigation puts UK’s to shame
The SFO’s efforts to resolve its corruption case against BAE Systems, temporarily halted until the outcome of an application for judicial review, highlights once again the weaknesses of the UK system when it comes to bringing white-collar criminals to justice.
People moves
Mayer Brown has promoted David Chadwick to the position of head of the insurance and reinsurance practice in London.
Radcliffe snaps up SJ Berwin associate
SJ Berwin associate Harris Bor has left the firm to join Radcliffe Chambers in a move that is designed to boost the set’s commercial expertise.
Roome to move Bingham up the rankings
This September will see the tenth anniversary of Bingham McCutchen’s hire of restructuring partner James Roome.
Stephensons hires hike IP capability in HK
Stephenson Harwood has boosted its Hong Kong practice with the appointment of Clifford Chance consultant Audrey Shum as a partner in its IP team.
The green, the black and the hack
Joe Martin, general counsel at Italian-based catering company Autogrill, certainly wasn’t the only lawyer letting his hair down in London on St Patrick’s Day.
Thomas Eggar targets City mid-sizer for merger
Thomas Eggar is drawing up plans for a merger in a bid to boost its profile in the City and attract outsourced work from magic and silver circle firms.
Travers Smith names Carroll as new senior partner
Former Travers Smith managing partner Chris Carroll is to take over as the firm’s senior partner. He will replace Alasdair Douglas, who is understood to be retiring in June after 25 years as a partner at the silver circle firm and nearly five years as senior partner.
Walkers follows Maples to Ireland
Offshore firm Walkers has unveiled plans to open a base in Dublin.
Watson Burton puts brave face on profit dip
Watson Burton senior partner Robert Langley has said he is satisfied with his firm’s financial performance, despite its LLP accounts revealing that the highest-paid partner’s profit share dropped by 71 per cent in 2008-09.
What price efficiency? Local govt event looks at riding out the tough times ahead
With local governments facing major cuts over the coming years, the legal departments of these entities are under increasing pressure to drive efficiencies.
Zenith installs litigator as chief exec
Leeds-based Zenith Chambers has hired former litigator Andrew Argyle to take on the newly created role of chief executive.
