29 October 2007
The Lawyer
Juries, juries hallelujah
The Government may find there's a little spanner in the works in relation to its Fraud (Trials without a Jury) Bill, which is winging its way through Parliament at the moment.
3i takes new general counsel from GE
Private equity firm 3i has snared General Electric (GE) senior managing director Kevin Dunn to take up the post of general counsel following the planned retirement of its general counsel Tony Brierley.
A&O hires public prosecutor as New York partner
Allen & Overy (A&O) has ramped up its New York presence by hiring a Manhattan public prosecutor as a litigation partner.
A&O on track to hit £1bn turnover after 16 per cent rise in half-year results
Allen & Overy (A&O) is the first firm to publicly release its half-year figures, boasting a 16 per cent rise on its results this time last year.
A&O sets the standard
02-Nov 2007A&O sets the standard
A&O, Cleary, Mayer Brown gain superfund instructions
Allen & Overy (A&O), Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton and Mayer Brown have secured lead roles advising on the proposed mortgage securities superfund, which has been designed to help alleviate the impact of the credit crunch.
Abreu breaks into Portugal's top five with triple merger
Portuguese firm Abreu Advogados has secured a trio of law firm mergers, leapfrogging its competitors into the list of the top five largest Portuguese firms.
Age concern
One year on from the introduction of age discrimination laws, the feeling persists that they have not been fully utilised. By Naomi Feinstein and Adam Turner.
Alliance Boots closes in on panel selection
Alliance Boots is looking to complete its extensive panel review, presided over by group legal director and chief administrative officer Marco Pagni.
Andrew Edge: Ashurst
Ashurst" /What was your first-ever job?Helping in my father's butcher's shop for a summer. He said I would be a fully trained butcher within a month. By the end of the summer he was thankful that I wanted to be a lawyer.
Another Freshfields partner departs
The partner exodus from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer’s European offices continues, with Brussels corporate partner Klaus Heinemann leaving the firm.
APPC climbs down in DLA Piper OFT saga
Three lobbying industry bodies have clubbed together in a perceived attempt to defuse DLA Piper's Office of Fair Trading (OFT) complaint for anticompetitive behaviour.
Ashurst follows BLG, Lovells and Links into LLP conversion
Ashurst will finally convert to an LLP this week after more than a year of consultation.
Ashurst partners want rub of the green
Ashurst partners want rub of the green" /All of Ashurst's 132 equity partners will meet senior partner Geoffrey Green over the coming months as part of the top 10 firm's far-reaching lockstep review, which will rebase partnership points to a 25-65 point scale from its present 20-50 range. They are going to have to ...
Ashurst, CMS and Norton Rose cheered by half-year results
Ashurst and CMS Cameron McKenna are the latest firms to reveal their financial performance at the half-year stage, with both firms posting impressive increases.
Bafta winners
Tulkinghorn has just cause to feel full of pride this week because a crack team of his finest hacks, not to mention a couple of Reed Smith Richards Butler movie buffs, were victorious in a recent film quiz held at the Bafta headquarters on London's Piccadilly.
Bakers guides nike through umbro bid
Baker & McKenzie has pulled off a coup by scooping the lead role advising Nike on its £284m takeover bid for UK sportswear maker Umbro.
Bakers partner joins Barclays Wealth
Baker & McKenzie private banking partner Jonathan Burt has joined Barclays Wealth as a senior wealth adviser. Burt will join the offshore and private banking arm of the financial service powerhouse in January 2008. The former Bakers’ partner was based in the City office for seven years where he focused on private banking.
Berryman staff to benefit from new three-pronged training programme
Berryman is revamping its training programme and aims to sell itself on a renewed reputation for training its lawyers and staff.
Berrymans launches in Wales
Berrymans Lace Mawer is to launch in Wales with the opening of a Cardiff office to broaden its presence in South Wales and Bristol.
BLG strengthens Singapore shipping team
Barlow Lyde & Gilbert (BLG) has raided shipping boutique Thomas Cooper for marine partner Drew James.
Buse merges to kick-start Euro network
Field Fisher Waterhouse's (FFW) former German alliance partner Buse Heberer Fromm is creating its own European network and has merged with Frankfurt firm Heide Rechtsanwälte, which has strong ties to France.
BVC put under the microscope
The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has launched a review into whether the Bar Vocational Course (BVC) is fit for purpose for the next 10 years.
Byrne in the USA: Wragges and known man
It’s amazing how often a certain British firm crops up in New York. Or, to be more accurate, how often one of its partners does.
California scheming
Gibson Dunn sees itself as more than just a West Coast US firm. But it must convince everyone else of its global aspirations
Camerons gets in with magic circle on BNFL work
CMS Cameron McKenna has muscled in on what is an otherwise magic circledominated defence auction for Project Services, the nuclear decommissioning unit of British Nuclear Fuels (BNFL).
Camerons lands A&O pair to boost Moscow banking team
CMS Cameron McKenna has looked within the ranks of the magic circle to boost its Moscow office after Clifford Chance raided it for two key partners this summer.
Caught in the net
The boom of internet networking sites has provided a new avenue through which employers can assess job candidates. But they must ensure decisions are made on relevant criteria. By Sean Nesbitt and Camilla Marriott
CC boosts Beijing with Jones Day hire
Clifford Chance has hired Jones Day partner Bruce Schulberg as a partner in its Beijing corporate finance team.
CC, Links land roles on DP World's DIFX listing
Clifford Chance and Linklaters have scooped lead roles on Dubai Ports World’s (DP World) landmark listing on the Dubai Stock Exchange (DIFX).
Clifford Chance merges energy and asset finance teams
Clifford Chance merges energy and asset finance teams" /Clifford Chance has merged its energy and asset finance teams with the aim of streamlining internal administrative requirements and freeing up client-facing time, www.thelawyer.com can reveal.
CMS BFL regains Algerian outpost after 25 years with raid on Gide
CMS Bureau Francis Lefebvre is set to launch in Algeria, giving the CMS network its first office in the North African country.
Correction
On 22 October The Lawyer reported that Annie Tsoi was joining Baker & McKenzie from Deacons, where she is a partner and head of China IP. Tsoi is joining Bakers, but it is a different Annie Tsoi, who joins from Vivien Chan & Co, where she was an associate practising IP. Tsoi of Deacons continues to practise at Deacons as head of IP. The Lawyer apologises for any confusion.
Crossley has a lot on his plate
Tulkinghorn was surprised to hear that Hammonds managing partner Peter Crossley is starring on the next series of Celebrity Masterchef.
Dickinson Dees eschews Leeds for York expansion strategy
Dickinson Dees eschews Leeds for York expansion strategy" /Newcastle's largest firm Dickinson Dees is investing in its nascent York operation with a move to new offices to enable a massive recruitment drive.
DLA Piper Danish ally's growth plan forces split
DLA Piper's Danish arm has split from the firm to avoid future conflicts after putting in place an ambitious growth strategy.
DLA Piper rejigs restructuring team
Simon Neilson-Clark has stepped down as DLA Piper’s EMEA restructuring practice group head, in expectation of an upsurge in demand for restructuring leading him to focus on client work.
Employment
Age discrimination has been the focal point in the employment arena of late following the first anniversary of the Discrimination Act coming into force.
Eversheds restructures litigation set-up
Eversheds has overhauled its litigation practice, creating the new post of head of international dispute management, which will be taken up by current litigation chief John Heaps.
Eversheds stalwart Viv Du-Feu quits for Welsh firm
Eversheds_office.jpg" alt="Eversheds stalwart Viv Du-Feu quits for Welsh firm" /Eversheds head of international employment Viv Du-Feu has left the firm for Welsh-based commercial firm Capital Law.
Exits and referral slump see Lawfort shut up shop
Belgian independent firm Lawfort has disbanded its partnership after suffering years of lawyer defections and diminishing instructions following its split from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).
FFW signs off trio of AIM deals
Field Fisher Waterhouse (FFW) corporate finance partner Dominic Gurney-Champion has advised on a trio of AIM deals that closed within a week.
FFW splits ally Dubarry to open in Paris
Field Fisher Waterhouse is set to open its own office in Paris, taking seven partners from former ally Dubarry Le Douarin Veil, which is disbanding.
Finers secures property litigation head
Finers Stephens Innocent has hired Amanda McNeil as head of its property litigation department.
Firm profile: Devonshires
Devonshires is not your conventional City firm: it does not have a managing partner, it derives 65 per cent of its turnover from housing associations and has only one office.
Fladgates, Dorsey seal TV company tie-up
Fladgate Fielder has acted for television production company Twenty Twenty Television on its acquisition by AIM-listed Shed Media.
Freshfields loses Italy finance chief to A&O
Allen & Overy has taken the first step in rebuilding its Italian banking practice by snatching Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer's Italian finance chief Stefano Sennhauser.
Freshfields reports 18 per cent half-year growth
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is the latest firm to report strong financial performance at the half-year stage, with fee income jumping by 19 per cent on this time last year.
Fujitsu raid spearheads HP's four-lawyer swoop
Hewlett-Packard (HP) has boosted its UK in-house team with the hire of four new lawyers, poaching outsourcing specialist Andrew Howe from rival Fujitsu Services in the process.
Garrigues revenues top €250m
Garrigues has become the first Spanish firm to break through the quarter billion euro mark, ending this financial year 16 per cent up on last year with revenues of €259m.
Get cartel
Spain will no longer have to rely on the EU to fight its competition battles - a new act has brought it bang up to date in the fight against cartels. By Jaime Pérez-Bustamante
Gianni Origoni torn in two as 100 quit
Leading Italian independent Gianni Origoni Grippo & Partners has split, losing up to a third of its lawyers and partners.
Hammonds loses another team
Hammonds has lost another team as the flood of departures shows little sign of abating.
Hammonds seals Eatonfield relationship
The relationship Hammonds built with Eatonfield Group on its AIM listing has paid off, with the firm acting on the developer's acquisition of an 87 acre brownfield site from Corus.
Hempsons lures Bevan employment ace
Healthcare specialist Hempsons has boosted its employment practice with the appointment of Bevan Brittan's head of health and public sector employment.
Herbies' Gold vows to get tough on coasting partners
Herbert Smith senior partner David Gold is taking a tough stance on underperforming partners, with the aim of improving overall profitability.
Herbies set for January Abu Dhabi launch
Herbert Smith is set to open an Abu Dhabi office in January 2008, with the intention of having a Saudi Arabian presence in due course.
How do I build a future in IP?
I'm a 2 year PQE IP associate at a nice firm but I feel like I am kind of going nowhere and am worried that I may be sidelined as the firm is focusing on corporate and finance.
Iberia
As Spain's big companies begin to invest in places such as China, India and Central Europe, so the country's largest firms have been forced to think internationally.
Ince & Co
For the second consecutive year, insurance heavyweight Ince & Co has retained its entire trainee intake.
K&L Gates, One Brick Court join forces to tackle blog anonymity
Kirkpatrick and Lockhart Preston Gates Ellis (K&L Gates) has scored a brace of High Court orders for Sheffield Wednesday FC that will force websites to name anonymous bloggers who voiced their dissatisfaction with the club's management.
Kendall Freeman merges with US firm Edwards Angell
London-based Kendall Freeman is to merge with Boston-based US firm Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge.
Legal Services Bill gets House of Lords' blessing
The Bar Council and Law Society welcomed the House of Lords' approval of the Legal Services Bill last Thursday (25 October).
Legal Services Bill gets royal assent
The Legal Service Bill has received royal assent today (30 October) following the House of Lords approving the Bill last Thursday (25 October).
Linklaters trumpets new IT tool - but does the City really care?
Will reducing loan documentation time be a key factor for Linklaters' clients? asks Julia Berris
Lip service
Tulkinghorn extends a hirsute hello to Linklaters corporate partners Charlie Jacobs, Richard Youle and Owen Clay. Normally clean-shaven, you may notice something growing on their top lips in the coming weeks.
Lovells doubles office space in Singapore for corporate offensive
Lovells is expanding its Singapore offering by developing its corporate practice after taking extra floor space to accommodate the growth.
Magic circle diverges on green issues
The magic circle firms are taking diverse approaches to tackling green issues.
Magister continues high-profile hiring spree
Ukrainian independent firm Magister & Partners has secured its second big-name hire in as many weeks, appointing leading academic Sergey Karaganov as a senior adviser.
Malcolm Wood: Standard Life
As company secretary and general counsel, Malcolm Wood found himself at the heart of Standard Life's demutualisation. By Margaret Taylor
Mayer Brown promotes a bumper crop to partner
Mayer Brown has made up an astonishing 10 new partners in London, more than the firm has made in total during the last three years.
Nabarro advises Land Sec on £1bn worth of deals
Nabarro has advised longstanding client Land Securities on a series of sales and acquisitions in the City totalling more than £1bn.
Nabarro's £1bn fightback
Nabarro's recent closing of £1bn worth of acquisitions and disposals for developer Land Securities was a sign that the property-focused firm is reclaiming ground from rival Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.
Norton Rose cements easyJet links with BA takeover
Norton Rose has consolidated its position as corporate adviser for budget-airline easyJet in its £103.5m purchase of British Airways (BA) franchisee GB Airways.
Offshore market rocked by Mourant-Walkers merger
Walkers partner Ian McMurdo has defected to Cayman Islands rival Maples and Calder as the first ripples appear in the offshore market following the surprise confirmation that Walkers and Mourant du Feu & Jeune are in merger discussions.
OFT raids Freshfields to fill merger director post
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has looked to Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer for its new director of mergers.
Olswang hikes real estate with Speechly capture
Olswang is continuing its real estate expansion by boosting its planning and regeneration practice with a new head of planning recruited from Speechly Bircham.
O'Melveny responds to MoFo raid in Tokyo with US partner move
O'Melveny & Myers is planning to parachute a senior lawyer from its US office in to its Tokyo offering following a raid on its corporate team by Morrison & Foerster (MoFo) last week.
Paris Smith acts on HMS acquisition
South Coast firm Paris Smith & Randall has advised on the £22m acquisition of Hazard Management Solutions (HMS), a UK company specialising in terrorist threat advice to global clients.
People moves
Dewey & LeBoeuf associate Sabine Konrad has become the youngest arbitrator to be appointed as a member of the panel of arbitrators of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).
People power
Is it more important to keep hold of people or simply the information they possess? Merrill April looks at cases that have highlighted the issues
Peter Crossley: Hammonds
A failed expansion drive had left Hammonds a firm in turmoil. But managing partner Peter Crossley believes he can lead it to a brighter future?
PI insurers warn of 25 per cent rate hike
Solicitors' professional indemnity (PI) insurance rates have dropped to their lowest point ever.
Picture rail
Private equity can weather the credit crunch
Over the past two months, as the liquidity crunch in the debt market has taken hold, some headlines have been predicting the death of the management buyout.
Projects guru quits A&O to take up BG counsel post
Allen & Overy (A&O) will lose one of its biggest names as global projects, energy and infrastructure head Graham Vinter moves in-house to become BG Group's new general counsel.
Reed Smith lands Tate & Lyle Mexico deal
Reed Smith Richards Butler’s longstanding relationship with UK client Tate & Lyle has gifted the firm’s Chicago office a role on a £46m divestment for the company in Mexico.
Revealed: BLG litigation head quit a year ago
Barlow Lyde & Gilbert commercial litigation head Clare Canning took the decision to leave the firm a year ago, but was convinced to stay, The Lawyer can reveal.
Richards Butler HK gives Reed Smith Asia foothold
Reed Smith Asia foothold" /Reed Smith's capture of Richards Butler Hong Kong represents a fantastic turnaround for the US firm, which has landed an sturdy launch pad for Asia.
Sackers seeks Pensions Regulator help in saving Telent's scheme
Sacker & Partners has sealed its reputation in the pensions market, advising the trustees of Telent's pension scheme amid intervention from the Pensions Regulator.
Scotland launches debate on future of legal services
The Law Society of Scotland has begun a consultation process that aims to overhaul the country’s legal services industry.
Sell, sell, sell
It's a seller's market in Spain and Portugal, with English law flooding the jurisdiction. Add to this a host of new homegrown regulations, and M&A is booming. By Francisco Sa Carneiro and Christian Hoedl
Simmons' Bonser dies, aged 45
Simmons & Simmons' respected energy partner Andrew Bonser has died unexpectedly aged 45.
Slaughters dishes out associate pay rises
Slaughter and May has boosted its trainee and newly qualified pay, now offering one of the most generous packages of UK-headquartered firms.
Sports boutiques forge transatlantic alliance
New York firm Dreier has signed an alliance with London boutique SK Sport and Entertainment to advise US sports figures in the UK and Europe.
St Phillips chief exec stands down
Birmingham-based set St Phillips is to lose its chief executive Jonathan Fox at the end of this year for personal reasons.
Taxing times
New rules drafted to combat real estate tax fraud seem to do no more than line the taxman's pockets, warn Alberto Baeza and Álvaro de la Vía
Taylor Wimpey legal team gets post-merger overhaul
UK housebuilder Taylor Wimpey is embarking on a major restructuring of its legal team following the July merger of George Wimpey and Taylor Woodrow.
Technology breakthrough
In the coming years, it is anticipated that the technology, media and telecommunications (TMT) sector in the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region will enjoy significant annual growth.
Tesco escapes Competition Commission rap
The Competition Commission has found that Tesco does not stifle competition, according to its provisional findings published today (31 October) after an 18-month investigation into the UK groceries market.
TLT Solicitors lands new risk director
TLT Solicitors lands new risk director" /John Verry has joined Bristol-based firm TLT Solicitors as its new director of risk from Lockton, an international risk services provider, where he was director of risk and quality.
Trainees: the new must-have
If an increasing number of US firms are resorting to hiring trainees, then there really must be a recruitment crisis. With the dollar fading in value and UK firms catching up on pay, there really is nothing else for it. The Americans have to recruit at trainee level.
TwoBirds hits global goals
Bird & Bird held its annual inter-office football tournament in Milan this autumn.
TwoBirds takes Asia corporate chief loss on the chin
Bird & Bird is not planning to replace Julian Courtney-Stubbs, its outgoing head of the Asia corporate practice.
US firms stake City future on organic growth
US firms in London are ramping up their trainee schemes as the lateral recruitment market in the City begins to run dry.
Web week
Vienna played host to the world's first divorce fair. Law blog Quiz Law (www.quiz law.com) says the fair comes just in time, as Vienna has one of the highest divorce rates in the Western world. Apparently half of all marriages in Austria and two-thirds of marriages in Vienna never get to the 'till death do us part' bit.
What a bunch of MoFos
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg issued the strangest of proclamations last week when he designated 23 October as Morrison & Foerster (MoFo) Day in the city.
Which? campaigns star moves to Cohen Milstein
Class action law firm Cohen Milstein Hausfeld & Toll has snapped up campaigns star Ingrid Gubbay from consumer association Which?.
Wragges and College of Law in LPC tie up
Birmingham-based firm Wragge & Co has teamed up with The College of Law to launch a bespoke LPC plus course from next year.
