4 April 2005
The Lawyer
Angel flies back into a storm at Linklaters
Linklaters' managing partner Tony Angel was quoted in the press last week as saying that the magic circle firm's profits would be "above 10 per cent [up] on last year".
April march
City legal worthies, including Allen & Overy senior partner Guy Beringer, Simmons & Simmons partner Richard Dyton and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer partner and resident footy nut Raj Parker, are set to walk 10km after work on Monday 18 April.
Aviation insurers escape EC courtesy of BLG, DLA
Barlow Lyde & Gilbert (BLG) and DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary have secured success for the London aviation insurance market in a landmark competition case.
Balfour & Manson appoints 4 new partners
Scottish firm Balfour & Manson Solicitors has appointed four new partners as of 4 April 2005 and leading personal injury partner, Fred Tyler, has taken over as chairman.
Big fish for fat cats
While Tulkinghorn is on the subject of 'sport', The Lawyers' Fishing Club (www.lawfish.com) is hosting its annual beginners' day this Saturday (9 April). Tickets are a measly £28, for which you get the use of tackle and receive tuition and two fish. What you do with the fish is, apparently, up to you.Contact Nick Marshall at Mayer Brown Rowe & Maw at nmarshall@mayerbrownrowe.com, or call 020 7782 8924.
Birchams scores housing coup with Jenkins & Hand captures
London's Bircham Dyson Bell has secured a social housing practice after the acquisition of boutique firm Jenkins & Hand.
Bonelli's £5m partners lead the way in Europe
Italy's top three firms last year retained their positions as the Continent's most profitable of the 100 largest firms, with top partners at Bonelli Erede Papalardo earning a staggering £5m.
Careers: In brief
Richard Barnett, senior partner of Southport conveyancing firm Barnetts, has been appointed as a director on the board of Pisces (property information systems common exchange standard). He is already chairman of Pisces' lenders' conveyancing workgroup. Pisces is an electronic data exchange standard designed for the UK property market that aims to ease information transfers between software packages.
Careers: People
Scotland's Morton Fraser has hired Austin Flynn as a corporate partner from Edinburgh rival Murray Beith Murray. Also, corporate partner Adrian Bell will head the Glasgow office from 1 May when John Urquhart becomes a consultant.
CC and Linklaters steer Celtel and MTC through acquisition
Linklaters steer Celtel and MTC through acquisition" /Clifford Chance and Linklaters have scooped the lead roles on the $3.4bn (£1.81bn) acquisition of African mobile telecoms provider Celtel by Kuwaiti giant Mobile ...
Clifford Chance associate wins fight against dismissal
The Clifford Chance associate fighting the firm's decision to dismiss him has had his position upheld by the French Ministry for Employment.
Cobbetts partner made honorary German counsul
Cobbetts partner Mark Green has been appointed as the German honorary consul for Manchester.
Cold-blooded contract billers
Who says lawyers are reptiles? Possibly Black Country firm Higgs & Sons, which clearly spotted a kindred spirit in a recent deal.
Ditz blitz
The LAWYER's grapevine email bulletin last week on business development seemed to strike a nerve with more than a few readers. It certainly generated a ton of feedback, some of it positive.
DLA Direct axes chief exec to boost performance
The chief executive of DLA's volume arm DLA Direct has been replaced as the firm strives to turn around the underperforming Bradford-based business.
DLA Piper helps GNER on record rail franchise win
DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary has steered Great North Eastern Railway (GNER) through a competitive tender to win the largest franchise in European rail history.
ECJ finds UK tax rules incompatible with EC law
A European Court of Justice (ECJ) opinion handed down this morning (7 April) has found that UK tax law is incompatible with European Community law.
EU summit retains legal boundaries
An opportunity for UK lawyers to work in other EU countries under their own standards and professional bodies appears to have been lost at last week's (March 22-23) EU summit in Brussels.
Eversheds to advise MG Rover administrators PwC
Eversheds has scooped a mandate to advise the administrators of MG Rover and Powertrain Limited.
Exchange Chambers makes triple swoop
North West set Exchange Chambers has hired three new criminal tenants.
Firm profile: Shaw and Croft
Maritime boutique Shaw and Croft is celebrating its 25th birthday in October - a quarter of a century of expertise in one of the most quietly fascinating areas of law.
Firms' compulsory early retirement schemes fall foul of new legislation
The system of compulsory early retirement used by many UK law firms is resulting in a damaging 'brain drain' and may also fall foul of impending age discrimination restrictions, according to market experts.
Flight's legal team considers injunction against Howard
Rogue conservative Howard Flight's legal team should decide today (4 April) whether to issue an injunction against Michael Howard should he press on with moves to deselect the MP.
For the record ...
In The Lawyer's 16 March Lawyer News Weekly email, it was wrongly stated that Trowers & Hamlins was one of several firms that had refused to provide information for an HR survey regarding the number of female partners. In fact, the firm did respond with the details. We are happy to correct the error.
Fournier and Solvay pick Freshfields and Skadden
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom's Paris offices are sharing the spoils as the French pharmaceutical sector continues its consolidation.
French diss
Thanks to Clintons for inviting Tulkinghorn down to the tenth annual HMV football extravaganza at the Grosvenor House Hotel last Tuesday (29 March).
Freshfields partners' final salary pension scheme faces the chop
Last final salary scheme in City faces axe as annual costs soar to estimated £35m; retirement age to be standardised
Game on
The Gambling Bill may give the green light for regional casinos, but gaming companies will still have to overcome a raft of legal hurdles. By Simon Ricketts
Gleiss ceiling
Gleiss Lutz emerges from the sluggish German market as the top domestic performer, but the international firms still lead the way. Husnara Begum and Helen Power report
Grapevine
OFT lure proves too strong for would-be Wilmer lawyer
Greenberg Traurig in Asia launch
Greenberg Traurig has made its Asian debut after opening a Tokyo office and forging an exclusive alliance with the Landwell-tied firm Hayabusa Kokusai Law Offices.
Halliwells launches PFI practice with hire from Robert Muckle
Muckle" /Halliwells has poached Neil Wilson, currently head of construction at Newcastle firm Robert Muckle, to kick-start the development of a PFI practice.
Halliwells, Kennedys, Morgan Cole win Tesco panel places
Halliwells, Kennedys and Morgan Cole have won places on Tesco's new insurance claims panel.
Hammonds Birmingham corporate chief Somers quits for BLP
Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) is hiring Hammonds’ respected Birmingham head of corporate, Patrick Somers, to join its London corporate team.
Hammonds partners vote for lock-in
Hammonds has secured a lock-in for the next 15 months, it was announced today (4 April).
Heatons appoints new managing partner
Niche Stoke-on-Trent firm Heatons has appointed corporate finance specialist Matt Fleetwood as its new managing partner.
Helping your stars to shine
Failure to be in command of improving your talent will be the single issue driving the polarisation of professional service firms in the years to come.
Herbies wins Fortune Brands mandate on Allied Domecq takeover
Herbert Smith has won its first instruction from Fortune Brands, the US group that has teamed up with Pernod Ricard to take over Allied Domecq.
Holmans raids Stephenson Harwood for ship finance push
Holman Fenwick & Willan has hired a partner and two assistants from Stephenson Harwood in a bid to develop its ship finance practice.
How to get your women back
Businesses need women and women want to work. So what's the problem? By Elaine Aarons
Irwin Mitchell bolsters Midlands employment group
Irwin Mitchell has added a consultant to its Midlands employment team as it continues its growth.
Landing a hand
The UK Government has introduced a new tax regime in response to a lack of clarity concerning real estate derivatives contracts. Ian Johnson and Paul Miller report
Linklaters wastes no time in merging with Japanese firm
Linklaters launched Japan's first fully merged law firm last Friday (1 April), taking advantage of the recent regulatory changes that opened the door to integrated partnerships between Japanese and foreign lawyers.
Lord Slynn to head dispute resolution service
Alternative dispute resolution organisation the London Dispute Resolution Service (LDRS) has appointed former Law Lord Lord Slynn of Hadley as its new president.
Macfarlanes hikes partnership with a record six promotions
Macfarlanes is to promote an unprecedented six lawyers to the partnership this year, the largest single group in its history.
Macfarlanes lawyers go back to school in e-mentoring role
Macfarlanes is currently running an e-mentoring scheme with an East London school. Under the scheme, the firm's lawyers have been paired with pupils facing their GCSEs in an attempt to demystify the City.
New chair for judicial appointments panel
The Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer, yesterday (5 April) announced that Sir Nigel Wicks, formerly chair of the committee on Standards in Public Life, will chair the selection panel for new judicial appointments commissioners.
Norton Rose wins Hammonds banking head
Hammonds has lost its former head of banking in Birmingham to Norton Rose.
Olswang team rivals patent specialists after new hires
Olswang team rivals patent specialists after new hires" /Olswang has ramped up its unique in-house patent filing and prosecution practice with the hire of three patent attorneys and a trademarks partner, to go head-to-head with the UK's specialist patent attorneys.
Opinion
Ebbers' WorldCom conviction is big US news, but it's equally a warning for UK directors
Path master
As the Crossrail project lumbers on, Robbie Owen highlights the problems likely to be faced by individuals and businesses in the path of this monster development
Pillsbury and Shaw Pittman seal merger
Pillsbury Winthrop and Shaw Pittman have sealed their tie-in just months after they entered merger talks and in time for the self-imposed 4 April deadline.
PSMG launches major study on business development
The Professional Services Marketing Group (PSMG) last night (4 April) ratified a decision to launch a major research study on measuring the effectiveness of business development.According to co-chair Chris Hinze, the board was in "universal agreement" on designing a study among professional services firms to measure the return on investment in business development.Mark King, co-chair and marketing director at
Reeds Solicitors takes Norwich Union to court
Reeds Solicitors, a Sussex-based personal injury (PI) firm, is suing Norwich Union for an alleged breach of contract.
Ropes & Gray scoops coveted lead role on SunGard buyout
The $11.3bn (£6.03bn) acquisition of SunGard Data Systems by a consortium of private equity houses has turned into a feeding frenzy for lawyers, with no fewer than seven US firms landing roles on the biggest leveraged buyout since the 1980s.
Separated at birth
The BBC's Question Time last Thursday (31 March) was graced by the presence of Tom Wheadon, Simmons & Simmons partner and expert on GSM Gateways. Wheadon was an outstanding guest, defending his 'leader' Michael Howard's dismissal of Tory MPs for having an opinion (Howard Flight, what were you thinking?) and somehow holding himself back from talking about mobile phone ...
Sidley Austin raids Ashurst for star finance partner
Sidley Austin Brown & Wood has raided Ashurst to secure finance partner Stephen Clark.
Slaughters top the M&A league tables
Slaughter and May has jumped nine places to take the number one spot in the M&A league tables for the first quarter of 2005.
Sport goes belly-up
Tulkinghorn was outraged to read in the national press on Good Friday that, of all things darts - yes darts! - has been recognised as a sport. Good God, they'll be making ten-pin bowling an Olympic event soon.
Sports law gets Onside
Sports boutique Onside Law has been launched by former lawyers from Clifford Chance and sports marketing group IMG. It has already landed Malaysia Airlines as a new client.
Stephenson Harwood's McGrigors hire perfect fit for financial services
Stephenson Harwood is reinforcing its financial services capability with the hire of a corporate partner from Scottish firm McGrigors.
Stormproof
The insurance industry has been hit hard in the aftermath of 11 September, the Asian tsunami and US class actions, giving Converium's legal team some tough challenges. By Joanne Harris
Sullivan, Darrois take M&A lead
A quiet first quarter in France has seen four French independent firms climb the M&A rankings amid continued Anglo-Saxon and US dominance in Paris.
The work-life quiz
Stephen McNulty, head of commercial property, Burgess Salmon
Treasury Solicitor picks 12 firms for new panels
The Treasury Solicitor’s Office has unveiled two new legal panels as it reviews the way it provides services to clients.
White House adviser joins Ford as counsel and senior vice-president
Ford Motor Company has raided the White House to secure a new general counsel to take over from incumbent Dennis Ross.
Wilmer Cutler records impressive £870K PEP
Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr has posted average profit per equity partner (PEP) of $870,000 in its first full financial year as a merged firm.The results compare favourably with the average PEP of $780,000 at pre-merger Wilmer Cutler and $810,000 at Hale and Dorr.The firm’s turnover for 2004 was $750m, up an impressive 14 per cent on a combined total for Wilmer Cutler & Pickering ($334m) and Hale & Dorr ($325m) in 2003. The results should see the merged firm leap into ...
