3 October 2005
The Lawyer
Deals comment
The newly merged Pinsent Masons team is giving DLA Piper a run for its money. By Steve Hoare
Deals round-up
SJ Berwin advised private investment bank Evans Randall on a novel property deal that saw two major sites bought for £110.1m via a corporate structure. B&Q's major distribution warehouse in Doncaster was bought from Propinvest Holdings for £53.6m, while a Rolls-Royce manufacturing and distribution unit in Glasgow was sold by Glenn Maud for £56.5m. Real estate partner David Ryland led the SJ Berwin team.The ...
A vision of the future
There was much mirth at Slaughters last week as several partners took advantage of the firm's proximity to Linklaters' overspill facilities.
A&O shoots up M&A tables
Magic circle firm Allen & Overy has shot up 13 places to rank third on the European M&A league tables published by Bloomberg, Thomson Financial and Mergermarket for announced deals.
Alternative Comedy
Allen & Overy (A&O) has finally bowed to the criticisms levelled against it from the firm's growing number of disenchanted assistants, who are pushing for alternative career paths.
An age-old problem
There is an ige crisis in the legal market that could lead to missed opportunities. By Mark Brandon
Arthur Cox leads the ranks as first Irish figures are published
Arthur Cox leads the first financial ranking of Ireland's leading law firms.
Ashurst and Travers advise NTL on $6bn Telewest deal
Ashurst, Davis Polk & Wardwell and Travers Smith have teamed up to advise NTL on its $6bn acquisition of Telewest.
Ashurst keeps Candover close with £2.18bn Gala - Coral deal
Silver circle firm Ashurst is back in favour with key private equity client Candover as it clinches the £2.18 billion acquisition of bookmaking chain Coral Eurobet by bingo and casino operator Gala.
Axa makes in-house changes as counsel quits
Axa has reshaped its in-house department following the departure of group general counsel Noleen John to Norton Rose.
Bain sticks with Forschbach for purchase of Framatome
French private equity star Thomas Forschbach has completed his first deal for Boston buyout shop Bain Capital since his departure from Ashurst to Latham & Watkins ...
Bird & Bird boosts global dispute resolution
Bird & Bird has recruited former DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary senior associate Sarah Walker (left) as a partner.
BLP raids Dewey for global projects head
Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has raided Dewey Ballantine’s London office for a new head of the firm’s global projects practice.
Building momentum
To accommodate for the growth in Ireland's economy, the construction industry has had to keep pace. Rory Kirrane reports on the contractual developments
Bush picks White House lawyer for Supreme Court
White House counsel Harriet Miers has been nominated to the Supreme Court by US President George W Bush.
Careers: In brief
The Law Society has announced the members of two new boards to oversee consumer complaints and regulation. The Consumer Complaints Board and the Regulation Board will be responsible for the policy and operations of the Law Society's complaints handling and regulation functions respectively. The Complaints Board is chaired by Professor Shamit Saggar and features Susan Hodkinson, Christopher Hughes, Mohammed Arif Khan, Jennifer Isabel Kreser, Michael Spencer Tildesley as solicitor members. ...
Careers: People
w Peters and Peters has appointed a new partner, Tony Lewis, to the civil fraud/commercial litigation department, with effect from 1 October.
CC loses second tax partner in the space of a week
Clifford Chance has lost its second tax partner in as many weeks.
Cleary joins rush into China as Cepa II comes into force
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton is gearing up to launch its first office on China's mainland - the latest in a line of international law firms swooping to cash in on the country's booming economy.
Colt Telecom bags new regulatory head
Robin Saphra has joined Colt Telecom as commercial director and head of regulatory.
Coudert team in Hunton Bangkok shift
Hunton & Williams has snared two new partners for its Bangkok office from collapsing US firm Coudert Brothers.
Criminal barristers begin strike after DCA shuts them out
Criminal barristers are today (3 October) beginning a national walk-out over the Government's refusal to raise legal aid fees. The action follows months of unsuccessful negotiations between the Department for Constitu-tional Affairs and the Bar Council.
DCA appoints first chair of the Judicial Appointments Commissio.
The Department of Constitutional Affairs (DCA) has announced the appointment of the first chair of the Judicial Appointments Commission.
De Pardieu mops up Coudert Paris
French independent firm De Pardieu Brocas Maffei has picked up one of Coudert Brothers’ two remaining Paris partners.
DLA Piper network wins African ally
DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary is preparing to storm Africa after the DLA Piper Group alliance signed up Egyptian law firm Matouk & Bassiouny.
Edwin Coe chief steps aside after 19 years
After 19 years as senior partner of Edwin Coe, John Tomlins has decided to stand down.
Edwin Coe launches CAT appeal against supermarkets
Edwin Coe has launched an appeal to the Competition Appeals Tribunal on behalf of 32,000 independent shopkeepers calling for an inquiry into massive supermarket chain stores’ monopoly on the market.
EMI, GE and Microsoft launch anti-piracy war
A coalition of some of the world’s most powerful chief executive officers (CEOs) today launched a new front on industry’s global war on intellectual property pirates.
Equitable: two directors settle, Headdon claim dropped
Equitable Life has settled claims against two of the 15 former directors it was suing for negligence, it was announced this morning (Monday 3 October).
Ex-Hammonds partners in repayment stalemate
The group of former Hammonds partners fighting the firm's demand for the repayment of overdrawings is calling for the firm to demonstrate clearly that the amounts it is asking for have been allocated properly.
Ex-managing partner set to quit Hammonds
Hammonds' former managing partner Chris Jones will leave the firm in May next year as the 15-month equity partner lock-in comes to an end.
Exodus of associates sparks A&O overhaul
Magic circle firm in massive career path review as attrition rate hits 25 per cent
Fast-track partners
Congratulations to the lean and mean team from Henderson Homes for its triumph in this year's Formula Law Marathon for The Lawyer (hosted by Pro-Kart Series). Some 20 teams, including brave souls from Addleshaw Goddard, Milton Keynes firm Fennemores,
Final fantasy
It's been clear for weeks that Coudert has been deluded about its future. Even after it announced its dissolution, spokespeople were talking about "the firm's strengths".
Firm profile: Higgs & Sons
Higgs & Sons" /Senior partner: Ian Shovlin Turnover: £7m Total number of partners: 24 (15 equity) Total number of staff: 150 Main practice areas: Commercial property, company and commercial, employment, family, insolvency, litigation, ...
Freshfields candidates step forward for senior partner election
Six candidates have come forward to stand for the post of senior partner at Freshfields just a few days before the magic circle firm’s partnership conference in Paris this weekend.
Freshfields wins £1.9bn Reckitt role on Boots deal
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has landed its first M&A transaction for Reckitt Benckiser, the household and personal care group.
Ginestié launches tax practice in Lyon with Lefebvre capture
French independent and former DLA ally Ginestié Magellan Paley-Vincent is ramping up its new Lyon office with the hire of tax partner Rémi Gouyet from CMS Bureau Francis Lefebvre.
Govt's CICA scheme for bomb victims attracts lawyers' ire
Lawyers taking part in the pro bono effort to help the victims of the London bombings have been attacking the government-run compensation scheme. Immediately after the attacks, the Law Society set up a helpline to direct the victims and their families to free legal advice.
Grapevine
Harbottles, sad to say, has a history of losing key people from its music department to glitzy new jobs.
Herbies bags Oracle man for COO position
Herbert Smith has bagged its new chief operating officer (COO) from software company Oracle.
Hooman Yazhari: Gate Gourmet
In an exclusive interview, Gate Gourmet's European general counsel defends the actions taken by his company throughout the high-profile striking saga. By Husnara Begum
House of Lords judge Steyn quits and returns to bar
House of Lords judge Lord Steyn is retiring from his post to return to practice at Essex Court Chambers as an arbitrator.
How Masons doubled its IT turnover with a perfect match
Masons' IT group brought in a revenue of £9.5m in its last year before the merger with Pinsents. This year Pinsent Masons' outsourcing, technology and communications (OTC) budget is £17.6m and the group believes it is well on track to smash £20m.
HRA gains plaudits but terrorist legislation set to test it to the full
Five years on, the Human Rights Act wins applause from practitioners, who warn that the only danger is the new terror laws
IBM's longstanding counsel lured away by Nokia job
IBM Europe, Middle East and Asia vice-president and general counsel Carl Belding has quit the company after more than 20 years to become the chief legal officer at Nokia.
Impressing the press
Herbert Smith. Litigation group. Press party. Words that caused much giggling at Tulkinghorn Towers last week as the proximity to the firm's highest-profile defeat (Excitable Lie) and a bash to meet and greet a boozed-up press neared.
Indian act threatens outsourcing prowess
The revival of a long forgotten law banning women from working through the night is threatening to derail the boom in the Indian outsourcing market.
Isle of Man leader launches in London
Top Isle of Man firm Cains has opened its first office in the UK as the offshore firm seeks to take advantage of the expansion of the island’s economy powered by its zero tax strategy.
Kirkland boosts London insolvency with new partner
Chicago bankruptcy specialist Kirkland & Ellis has promoted senior associate Partha Kar to partner within the London restructuring group.
Latest WorldCom settlement sees two US firms haul in $194m in fees
BARRACK Rodos & Bacine of Philadelphia and Manhattan's Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossmann reaped more than $194m (£109.9m) in fees from the latest WorldCom settlement.
Law Soc demotes BPP with 'very good' rating
BPP Law School's London branch has lost its 'excellent' rating following the latest round of visits by the Law Society.
Law Soc tries and tries again
They might turn their noses up at it in the office, but there was no escaping the class of the Law Society on the playing field.
LeBoeuf instructed by Eon on purchase of Caledonia
LeBOEuf Lamb Greene & MacRae's London office has landed its first-ever deal for German power company Eon.
Linklaters kicks CC from brand top spot
Linklaters has knocked Clifford Chance from the top spot for brand value this year, with a total brand value of £1.69bn.
Lone former director settles dispute with Equitable Life as £1.7bn claim rages on
One of the former executive directors of Equitable Life, Shaun Kinnis, is understood to have settled his dispute with the society late last week, as settlement negotiations over the ongoing £1.7bn negligence claim against 14 other directors continued.
Lord Steyn to chair Justice
Lord Steyn is to be nominated as chair of human rights organisation Justice’s council.
Lord Woolf joins Blackstone
Lord Woolf, the retiring Lord Chief Justice, has joined Blackstone Chambers as a non-resident mediator and arbitrator.
MBRM in securitisation raid on White & Case
Mayer Brown Rowe & Maw (MBRM) has hired White & Case lawyer Dominic Griffiths as a partner in its London securitisation group to boost its UK structured finance practice.
Media organisations challenge covert DCA changes to rules on court documents
The UK's largest media organisations launched an assault last week against a change to the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR), which they say is an "unnecessary and disproportionate interference with the right to freedom of expression".
Morgan Lewis, TMI in Japanese joint venture
Morgan Lewis & Bockius has announced a new joint venture in Japan with TMI Associates, Simmons & Sim-mons' joint venture partner. TMI has had an official relationship with Simmons since 2001.
Music Choice legal head joins Kirkpatrick
Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Nicholson Graham has recruited the head of legal and business affairs from client Music Choice Europe.
New silk selection procedure sees minimal applicants
Uncertainty over the new QC selection process has led to a lower than expected number of applications, with just 440 junior barristers and solicitor-advocates putting themselves forward.
Nick or cheat
Mike Hamersley's decision to blow the whistle on KPMG's tax shelters helped the US Department of Justice nail the big four accountancy firm. Jon Robins reports
Nuclear expertise sees Imperial College instruct Burges Salmon
Burges Salmon" /South West firm Burges Salmon has won a beauty parade to become Imperial College London's legal adviser on nuclear law issues.
Open shop
The EU Prospectus Directive is receiving a warm welcome in Ireland, which boasts the expertise to take full advantage of the benefits it confers. Tara Doyle reports
Opinion
The CFA system is fundamentally flawed and should be rethought
Paul Hastings raids Covington for employment head
US firm Paul Hastings Janofsky & Walker has bagged employment specialist Christopher Walter from rival firm Covington & Burling.
Reed Smith raids Paul Hastings NYC
US firm Reed Smith has raided rival firm Paul Hastings Janofsky & Walker’s to secure two new partners for its New York office.
RPC ramps up IP practice with new partner hire
Reynolds Porter Chamberlain (RPC) has picked up former Hammonds partner Kathleen Harris in a boost to its IP practice.
Sandelson favourite to be CC City managing partner
Clifford Chance London litigation head Jeremy Sandelson is emerging as the frontrunner for the job of London managing partner, as nominations close at 3pm today (3 October).
Seven Bedford Row bolsters fraud capability
Civil and criminal set Seven Bedford Row has hired Pump Court Chambers tenant Luke Blackburn in a boost to its fraud and criminal team.
SFX Sports Group signs up Couchmans as sole adviser
Leading sports agent SFX Sports Group Europe has appointed Couchman Harrington Associates as the company's sole legal adviser.
Sheridans raids Simkins in film and TV drive
UK entertainment and media firm Sheridans is set to launch a new film and television practice after poaching two partners from The Simkins Partnership.
Show and tell
Dublin's leading firms have always been tight-lipped, but are they starting to show signs of transparency? Matt Byrne reveals all
Skadden scales the M&A rankings for third quarter
Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom jumped from fourth place at the half-year mark to first place in the US M&A league tables after the first three quarters.
Skadden scoops record Russian deal as Millhouse sells off Sibneft
Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom has landed its most lucrative work to date from Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich, advising the majority shareholder of Sibneft in its $13.1bn (£7.4bn) sale to Russian natural gas company Gazprom.
Slaughters conflict hands A&O Alliance-Boots deal
A Slaughter and May conflict has gifted Allen & Ovey (A&O) with a mandate to advise Alliance UniChem on its multi-billion pound merger with Boots.
Slaughters seeks allies in Central, East Europe
Slaughter and May is set to expand its best friends network to Central and Eastern Europe to take advantage of the EU accession economies.
Sore users
Recent legislation promises to revolutionise personal injury cases in Ireland. Margaret Muldowney outlines the most significant changes
Tax boutique Arsene lures teams away from Landwell, Taj
French boutique Arsene has raided the Paris offices of Landwell and Taj for two tax specialists and their teams.
TCC guide hailed as 'new dawn' after Seymour row
The Technology and Construction Court (TCC) is today (3 October) launching a guide which will give judges and counsel a clear path to best practice in the court.
The £25m dream team
They humiliated Equitable and out-lawyered Herbert Smith: the E&Y defence team on bullying tactics, press strategy and holding their nerve. By Catrin Griffiths
The work-life quiz
Matthew Rhodes, director, RollOnFriday
Troubles-free
With the end of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, the area can start looking forward to fulfil its commercial potential. Nemonie Fulton reports
Unsober as a judge
Tulkinghorn was delighted to hear that the standards at the High Court are being maintained.
Weil and Linklaters advise on PGNiG IPO
Weil Gotshal & Manges and Linklaters' Warsaw office are celebrating after advising Polish energy company PGNiG on a successful IPO on the Warsaw Stock Exchange.
Weil faces $40m claim by Christian group
WEIL Gotshal & Manges is being sued for $40m (£22.7m) over a bankruptcy filing in the US by a former not-for-profit client.
Where have all the good men gone?
By Sam Roberts, a consultant with EJ Human Resources
Winning pools
The introduction of the non-UCITS common contractual fund into Ireland's economy has helped the funds sector thrive. Brian McDermott reports
