Edward Samwel, a legal counsel with Barclays Bank Tanzania, spent six months with a magic circle firm in London through International Lawyers for Africa. As part of our Postcards From… series, he describes his experience: I left my native Tanzania to take up a three-month placement in a London law firm with no little trepidation. […]
The cessation of war and abundance of rich natural resources have oiled the wheels of recovery in Angola and Mozambique and are making them attractive to Portuguese law firms. The Portuguese-speaking nations of the world also happen to be some of the most attractive to investors. And right now none is more attractive than the African […]
A foray to foreign shores such as Nigeria could reap rich rewards for UK law firms, says Andrew Holroyd While many business sectors around the world look to shut up shop or downsize their overseas activity due to the current financial crisis, the legal sector in England and Wales is increasingly looking to extend its […]
The rewards of doing business in Africa far outweigh the challenges, especially for investors in the ITC market. Doing business in Africa comes with certain challenges. For one, the journey to work can be a nightmare, as Simmons & Simmons telecoms partner Alex Shepherd found out during a trip to Nigeria. Shepherd, then a Linklaters […]
The Madoff scandal may be bad news for Switzerland’s fraud record, but at least it’s providing plenty of work for Swiss lawyers. The familiar image of a grey-haired financier will be synonymous with a dire period in the history of the international financial markets. But whatever your own opinions of Bernie Madoff, some lawyers are […]
DP World legal counsel Jane Douglas says the company is riding on the crest of a wave. Distinguished gentlemen in 19th century dress peer down from all four sides of the central glass atrium at DP World’s offices near Victoria Station. The large paintings and glass cabinets stocked with large wooden model ships and elaborate […]
As a London firm that once had clients on its books including Ingrid Bergman and ex-Kenyan president Jomo Kenyatta, Ambrose Appelbe has a rich history. Founded in 1935 and based in Lincoln’s Inn Fields, the firm specialises in matrimonial law, private client and charity work, and since the onset of the recession managing partner Lisa […]
Two out of four exiting partners have departed Withers for Forsters despite the former threatening legal action. Two out of four exiting partners have departed Withers for Forsters despite the former threatening legal action. Catherine Hill follows Penny Elliot, who joined Forsters last August. The pair will be joined by former colleagues Andrew Lane and […]
Offshore firm Ozannes is to break with tradition by looking to expand into new jurisdictions following the appointment of Peter Ferbrache to senior partner. The move follows the early retirement of current senior partner Roger Perrot, the last of four founding partners at the firm. Perrot originally planned to retire at the end of 2010, […]
Hard times, hard decisions – they’re like food and drink to Bart Winokur, the chairman of US law firm Dechert. And despite several rounds of layoffs, he’s looking forward to eating the recession for breakfast Late last month, on Thursday 26 March, US firm Dechert unveiled its most significant round of cost cutting so far […]
What car do you drive? A battered VW – it looks and sounds like a taxi. What was your first-ever job? Working in the warehouse at Marks & Spencer. What was your worst experience as a trainee? Leaving a divorce file on the counter of the now defunct Woolies after buying chocolate on the […]
Hill Dickinson has recruited shipping partner Justin Draeger from Holman Fenwick Willan, where he was a partner. Draeger specialises in bill of lading and charterparty disputes. Hill Dickinson head of marine law Maria Pittordis said: “To have attracted someone with Justin’s skill and client following is a major coup for the firm.” Move of the […]