29 November 2010
The Lawyer
‘World’s largest dispute financier’ targets US litigation market uptick
Burford staying local, but as Matt Byrne reports, London might not be a million miles away
Britax purchase sees Ashurst act on its first buyout mandate for Nordic
Ashurst has landed its first buyout mandate for new client Nordic Capital since being appointed to the private equity house’s panel earlier this year.
DAC forms alliance with Chilean firm
Davies Arnold Cooper (DAC) has signed a formal alliance with newly established Chilean firm Seguros Lex in a move that is expected to lead to a merger between the two.
Davis Polk aims to steal a march in Hong Kong with UK talent
Wall Street titan Davis Polk & Wardwell ruffled a few British feathers last week when it launched a twin raid on the magic circle and the cream of the UK’s student talent.
Debevoise, Olswang land BBC’s JV sale to Discovery
Debevoise & Plimpton and Olswang have secured the key mandates on the sale of BBC Worldwide’s 50 per cent interest in its global TV joint venture (JV), incorporating the channels Animal Planet and Liv, to Discovery Communications.
Direct contact between GC and chambers skyrockets
Direct access to the bar has soared since the recession began, as chambers build stronger relationships with in-house counsel.
Ferguson
One of the Cit?y’s best-known employment boutiques Ferguson Solicitors converted to LLP status this month in what amounts to a nod towards modernisation.
Focus: The law society: Chancery lame
The Law Society’s relevance has never been under more scrutiny while what many perceive as its rival, the SRA, is setting out its stall for regulatory dominance. Who holds the whip hand?
Freshfields’ finance commitment in doubt with Howard missing Links
Banking star in shock return to previous site of thwarted partner ambitions. By Gavriel Hollander
ICC turns to A&O as arbitration selection wrangle intensifies
The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has instructed Allen & Overy (A&O) to intervene in a bid to overturn a Court of Appeal (CoA) ruling that found the selection process for appointing arbitrators in commercial disputes breached UK equality laws.
Kass proves he’s a clever Fela
It is not often that in-house lawyers summon their external advisers to an evening of Afrobeat, but Associated Newspapers group legal director Harvey Kass did precisely that earlier this month.
Kent County Council eyes independent legal function
£330m cost-saving initiative could see law director role axed and lawyers liable for negligence
Local motive
In the age of austerity the Government has set out an agenda based on localism for the real estate and planning sectors. By Simon Ricketts and Matthew Mainstone
Opinion: Consider structural changes before LSA forces you to
Most firms are adopting a ’wait and see’ approach to the impact of the Legal Services Act 2007 (LSA) on the legal market, confident that the big bang will turn out to be a small pop.
Opportunistic PRK pounces after Gide review sees 10-strong Prague team axed
Czech firm PRK Partners is set to take on Gide Loyrette Nouel’s Prague team, which was let go by the French firm following its global strategic review.
Orbit Homes builds inaugural legal roster
Orbit Homes, the for-profit arm of residential and social housing organisation Orbit Group, has formed its first-ever legal panel amid a changing funding climate.
Pinsents steers Halfords through £300m credit refinancing
Pinsent Masons has advised longstanding client Halfords on the refinancing of its £300m credit facility.
Revealed: The Lawyer HR Awards 2011 shortlist
The shortlist for The Lawyer HR Awards 2011 highlights thoughtful leadership and community engagement at a time of unprecedented challenges for the industry.
Rockin’ role: Roger James, MTV Networks
MTV Networks International general counsel Roger James has the dream job for a lifelong music lover.
Simmons ups its game on female partners
Simmons & Simmons has implemented a raft of measures to address its poor standing on senior female representation.
Toeing the line
Blighted Bulgaria is freeing up its bar rules for international firms, while the government has promised to clamp down on corruption. James Swift looks at whether things really are looking up
Total drops Grabiner for Milligan on Buncefield
French oil giant Total has swapped One Essex Court’s Lord Grabiner QC for 20 Essex Street’s Iain Milligan QC to lead its Supreme Court case over liabilities spinning out of the Buncefield oil explosion.
Trowers puts lockstep in the firing line
Trowers & Hamlins launched a consultation process recently with around a dozen fee-earners that could see the firm scrap its associate lockstep.
Tulkinghorn: Gene therapy
As far as Tulkinghorn understands, private equity giant Bain Capital is still on the hunt for a general counsel.
Wild on the walking side
You can always rely on Kent County Council (KCC) for a good story. Local authorities might not get everyone’s pulses racing, but ever since KCC started punting out its own lawyers to handle work for rivals it’s blazed a trail in the public sector.
