5 December 2011
The Lawyer
A&O stays true to strategy with Istanbul launch
Allen & Overy (A&O) is launching an office in Turkey as the firm pushes ahead with its strategy to target growth markets.
A&O, Bakers tie up financing for Thai power plant project
Allen & Overy (A&O) and Baker & McKenzie have advised on the financing for the first large independent power producer project in Thailand to close since the global financial crash.
Ashurst City duo head Down Under to firm up Blakes link
Ashurst is set to deploy rail head Lee McDonald and a City finance partner to Australia as part of its merger with local firm Blake Dawson, after deciding against sending infrastructure star Logan Mair Down Under.
Cable wise
Since becoming deputy general counsel at Cable & Wireless, Helen Copestick has put her private practice experience to good use when it comes to getting the best legal deals, says Katy Dowell
CAT chance
Chancery judges may still be settling in at the Rolls Building, but their responsibilities to the Competition Appeal Tribunal represent an interesting and often complex crossover. By Rhodri Thompson QC
CC goes where no law firm has gone before on SKA deal
Clifford Chance has beamed itself into the intergalactic market by winning a role on the establishment of an organisation that could help uncover secrets about life beyond Earth.
Clifford Chance targets mainland China with alliance talks
UK firm in discussions with Beijing’s Broad & Bright in wake of Mallesons-King & Wood deal
Clifford Chance turns suitor in Beijing
It’s official. Clifford Chance doesn’t want to be big, it wants to be Broad.
Delegates dissect EU funds regulation report
New rules concerning funds were the hottest topic at The Lawyer’s second Funds Summit. Joanne Harris reports
Fertile land
Ukraine has huge potential for law firms, with tax and agriculture promising significant work streams. But as Dale McEwan finds, if it wants to attract foreign investment its legal system is going to have to clean up its act
Focus: The litigation top 50 - Wars of the world
How are firms measuring up to the increasingly international nature of the litigation sector?
ICC surveys in-housers on arbitration process
In-house counsel are being invited to engage with the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) over what role they should play in arbitration proceedings.
In harmony’s way
Jonathan Harris points out the potential pitfalls that EU harmonisation could foist upon UK practitioners in commercial litigation
Indian graduates see salaries double
The salaries and bonuses paid by India’s top corporate law firms to graduates from premium law schools have in many cases doubled in the past five years and now often top 1.4m Indian rupees (R) (£17,300) per year if bonuses are included.
Influential IP boss quits FFW board
Field Fisher Waterhouse (FFW) IP/IT head Mark Abell has resigned from the firm’s management board in a move seen as representing a loosening of the practice’s grip on the firm.
Keystone Law
In the 2010-11 financial year Keystone Law posted a revenue hike of 9 per cent, up from £10m to £11m. According to managing partner James Knight, the uncertainty caused by the recession has created some opportunity for growth and practice diversification as clients shop around further for legal services.
Legally Ballroom 2012 video
Video:Legally Ballroom
Links lawyer scoops diversity gong
Linklaters capital markets lawyer Paulette Mastin is a leading light in the field of law firm diversity, devoting much of her time to championing the work of black lawyers in the City.
Living Wills – More Questions than Answers?
The G20 endorsed a raft of critical papers from the Financial Stability Board (FSB) in Cannes in early November. They included the policy for addressing the “too-big-to-fail” issues posed by Systemically Important Financial Institutions (SIFIs).
Macfarlanes gets BATS green light on Chi-X buy
Slaughter and May and Macfarlanes have secured competition clearance for the takeover of Chi-X Europe by US exchange BATS Global Markets after originally winning corporate roles on the deal.
Manches eggs on Fabergé in London
Manches has helped jeweller Fabergé launch its first London shop for almost a century.
Mergers on the Orient express
Clifford Chance must be kicking itself. Exactly three years ago we revealed that the magic circle firm had, for the second time, pulled the plug on merger talks with Australia’s Mallesons Stephen Jaques.
Model building
Dewey & LeBoeuf’s Moscow lawyers are packing their bags for an upcoming move to a new office.
New Russian front
The merger between Magisters and Russia’s Egorov Puginsky is a sign of the growing interest being shown in Ukraine by its powerful neighbour, says Dale McEwan
On the move
Mayer Brown has hired a New York Allen & Overy counsel as a partner in its London corporate practice.
Opinion: Taylor Wessing photo competition confounds dim views
The Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize is no stranger to controversy. Every year the chosen portraits address the difficulties and celebrations of ordinary people - and occasionally celebrities - around the world.
Own goal
Football’s coming to Ukraine, but the country’s lack of preparation means some lawyers aren’t benefitting.
Recruiter hits Withers with negligence claim
UK headhunter Wellesley Partners has launched a High Court negligence claim against Withers on the grounds of breach of contract.
Stash cloud
As the authorities probe the bond dealings of JSC BTA Bank’s ex-chairman, Catherine Newman QC highlights some legal aspects of the saga that appear to add up to a near-reversal of the burden of proof
This post will exceed your expectations
My favourite blog post of the week was in the Harvard Business Review (HBR), not normally somewhere I hang out but worth it on this occasion. The author admitted that in about half of his business conversations he had ‘almost no idea what other people are saying’.
Treasury Solicitor to streamline legal panels
The Treasury Solicitor’s Department (TSol) is preparing a major shake-up of its panel arrangements as the squeeze on the public sector continues to bite.
Work Life Quiz: Richard Eaton, Bird & Bird
Workplace & Diversity Awards showcases innovation in HR
?The Lawyer Workplace & Diversity Awards (formerly The Lawyer HR Awards) reflect the fact that talent issues have become integral to strategic thinking at the highest level of law firm management.
