6 September 2004
The Lawyer
Adam Cowell - 1 October 1963-29 July 2004
The sudden death of Adam Cowell on 29 July at the age of 40 marks the loss of one of the profession’s leading business crime lawyers.
Ashurst rainmaker in Latham move
Ashurst rainmaker in Latham move" /Ashurst has been dealt a blow after losing highly rated Parisian corporate rainmaker Thomas Forschbach to Latham & Watkins.
Balfour & Manson hooks up with GW Tait
Edinburgh firm Balfour & Manson has bolstered its private client practice by merging with GW Tait & Sons. The move will see two GW Tait partners, George Tait and Allen Kerr, join the partnership, along with three associates and the majority of the firm’s staff. The 18-partner firm has expanded significantly this year with the acquisition in May of a substantial part of the personal injury practice of Aberdeen firm Burnside Kemp Fraser and the opening of an Aberdeen office, its first outside ...
Beau jest
It’s always tough when a relationship breaks down, but never more so than when the couple live together.
Big, swinging clicks
One would think that being a partner at Slaughter and May would be reward enough, what with all that kudos. But that isn’t enough for some folks over at One Bunhill Row.
Blake Lapthorn loses corporate partner to Charles Russell
Southampton-based law firm Blake Lapthorn Linnell’s corporate practice has suffered a blow after losing a partner to Charles Russell.
British Olympic Assoc head of legal pushes for ambush marketing laws
No sooner had the British Olympic Association’s (BOA) head of legal affairs Sara Friend stepped off the plane from Athens, than she was back in the office working on the London 2012 bid and demanding legislative change.
Byrne and Partners
Byrne and Partners, an independent six-partner boutique specialising in commercial litigation, was founded on high aspirations. “We aren’t yet a name in the marketplace that everyone thinks of first, but that’s what we’re aiming for,” says partner Matthew Frankland. “We want to be the pre-eminent business crime firm, offering real solutions to real problems and adding value ...
Careers: in brief
Wigan’s Greenhalghs Solicitors has appointed a new solicitor in the wake of a recent firm relocation to larger premises. Richard Kerr joins as an assistant solicitor from Manchester law firm Nexus Solicitors, where he will practise as a commercial litigator.Greenhalghs, a six-person firm, moved from a rented office space to a new, wholly-owned premises two months ago.
Careers: people
Thames Valley firm Pitmans has hired ex-Dechert corporate finance partner Janice Wall as a partner in the corporate commercial team. Wall, with Dechert for seven years, specialises in national and international M&A, property finance and joint ventures.
CC beats Freshfields and CMS to be 3i’s top German adviser
CMS to be 3i’s top German adviser" /Clifford Chance has dealt a blow to rivals Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and CMS Hasche Sigle after winning a place on 3i’s German panel.
CC’s CMT team suffers another departure
Clifford Chance partner Nick Elverston will be the latest partner to leave the firm’s troubled communications, media and technology (CMT) team after announcing his departure for Herbert Smith last week.
China loosens up on foreign regulations
China has unveiled a second phase of reforms that will next year see further relaxation of the tough restrictions on the country’s legal market. However, the new regulations still fall short of granting foreign lawyers the right to practise local law.
Clementi sparks surveyors into review of industry regulation
Sir David Clementi’s review of legal regulation is sparking action in other professional services industries.
Cobbetts snaps up niche housing practice
Cobbetts is onto its fourth merger in 10 months as it takes on the Leeds office of niche housing practice Walker Charlesworth & Foster.
Competition expert returns to fold at Stanbrook & Hooper
International competition law and trade practices firm Stanbrook & Hooper has re-appointed a former partner of the firm to boost is competition and intellectual property expertise.
Dechert gets close to conclusion in its search for the perfect home
Dechert’s long-running search for new premises at a bargain basement price, which has resulted in more than 100 different sites being inspected, may finally be drawing to a close.
Dentons closes door on Asia as Beijing practice joins Mallesons
Denton Wilde Sapte has closed the final chapter of its exodus from Asia after securing a deal to transfer the bulk of its Beijing practice to Mallesons Stephen Jacques.
Field Fisher raids Mayer Brown for property litigator
Field Fisher Waterhouse has further bolstered its real estate department with the hire of a property litigator from Mayer Brown Rowe & Maw.
Finding fault
Amid fears of the onset of a US-style compensation culture, Australia’s Ipp Review has recommended a crackdown on payouts. Jon Robins reports
Fleck v Gold for Herbies top job
Herbert Smith has formally kick-started the process to appoint a new senior partner, with two candidates emerging as early contenders for the post.
Food for thought
The ECHR is set to decide whether multinationals should be able to sue individuals for libel. Jon Robins reports on how the McLibel case could change the rules of the game
France is EU’s environmental black sheep
The European Commission has concluded that France is Europe’s laggard for implementing EU environmental law.
Fresh start for McGrigors London after KPMG split
McGrigors has distanced itself further from its former allegiance with KPMG by signing an agreement for new offices in London.
Freshfields plays give and take in Land Secs roundabout
Merger aftermath throws up surprising winners for legal instructions. By Gemma Westacott
FSA in search for chairman
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has begun the hunt for a new chairman of its regulatory decisions committee following the resignation of former Slaughter and May partner Christopher Fitzgerald in June.
Giving up the smoke
Leaving the City is on many lawyers’ minds during the summer. Jonathan Kay reports on two who did
Gowlings gifts Morgan Cole client Vanguard
Morgan Cole is celebrating after winning Canadian terrorist defence company Vanguard Response Systems as a client.
Grabiner and Sumption case settles before trial
A courtroom clash between the titans of the commercial bar, Lord Grabiner QC and Jonathan Sumption QC, has been called off following a late settlement deal in the six-year long Metro Trading dispute.
Grapevine
News that Admiral’s £700m-plus flotation is on track has been greeted in some quarters as an indication that the UK’s new issues market is about to get a much-needed kick up the backside.
Hammonds Berlin scoops new partner from Freshfields
Hammonds’ Berlin office has added a second partner to its projects and planning team after a swoop on Freshfields.
Hatfield trial scheduled for January
After last week’s collapse of the corporate manslaughter and health and safety charges against Railtrack, prosecutors over the Hatfield rail crash now have four months to prepare their case against Balfour Beatty Rail Infrastructures and a number of its former executives.
Herbert Smith picks up Macquarie work on NGT gas network buyout
Herbert Smith has gained a further foothold in the private equity arena after winning Macquarie European Infrastructure Fund as a new client.
High Court appoints first black judge
Criminal barrister Linda Dobbs QC has been appointed the first black full-time High Court judge in English legal history.
Hogarth, 19 Old Buildings join to create IP mega-set
Hogarth Chambers has merged with 19 Old Buildings to form the bar’s largest IP set.
Information underload
The postmodern age of the minimalist press release has arrived – and not a moment too soon. So thanks to Oury Clark Solicitors for setting the trend with its one-line release about a recent deal.
In-house teams tackle new employment laws
In-house lawyers and HR teams are gearing up for a raft of new employment legislation coming into force on 1 October, with those that do not comply facing increased claims from disgruntled staff.
James Chapman boosts catastrophic injury
Manchester insurance litigation firm James Chapman & Co has expanded its specialist catastrophic injury team with the appointment of partner Philip D’Netto. D’Netto, recently a partner with Ilford firm Edward Duthie Solicitors, specialises in advising insurance clients on catastrophic injury cases. He brings with him client Highway Insurance.
Land craft
Jean Bursle and Matthew Edwards report on how the Australian property market and the recognition of native title have found some middle ground
Land Securities returns to Nabarros
Nabarro Nathanson has gained a major property swap instruction from client Land Securities, re-establishing the firm as a key legal adviser to the company.
Law firm coffers fuelled by UK’s switch to liquefied natural gas
UK’s Dragon LNG terminal to use project finance techniques to fund development. By Joanne O’Connor
Law Society condemns mental health bill
The Law Society today condemned government proposals for a new mental health bill.
Leader
Every summer, the entire reporting staff of The Lawyer turns into a bunch of geeks – and we love it. The Lawyer UK 100 Annual Report is the biggest statistical exercise in the legal profession bar none, and we spend weeks researching the figures. We talk to managing partners, equity partners, finance directors, bankers, accountants, headhunters, management consultants, heads of chambers and senior clerks. It’s bliss, alright.
Legal & General in review of its UK external advisers
Legal & General (L&G) is in the throes of a full-scale review of its UK law firm panel.
Legal widow
Bang! Waaah! So begins another fun-filled day in the Lawyer’s household, this time with Liability sobbing her heart out in the bathroom because her father won’t let her have a mobile phone.
Lester Aldridge ace becomes the ‘Flying Lawyer’
Ex-Lester Aldridge partner James Daly has left private practice to launch the Flying Lawyer, a new mobile legal concept designed to meet the needs of businesses in the asset, consumer and motor finance sectors. Daly, who has 20 years of expertise in asset and consumer financing and on industry committees, aims to provide a client-tailored service. Specifically, the Flying Lawyer will offer an in-house ...
Licensing Legal signs up Weightmans partner
A partner from Liverpool firm Weightmans is joining a new niche practice specialising in licensing and regulatory law.
Linklaters NY makes second lateral in a week
Linklaters’ New York office has made its second lateral hire in just over a week, this time paving the way for a US structured finance and derivatives practice. Adam Glass is moving to Linklaters from Sidley Austin Brown & Wood, which he joined in 1997. His appointment arrives hot on the heels of Mark Palmer, a restructuring ...
Lord Mayor calls for freedom of practice for international law firms in South Korea
The Lord Mayor of London this week praised South Korea’s efforts to allow international law firms to have a presence in the country.
Lovells adds dispute resolution capability in Madrid
Lovells’ fledgling Madrid office has been boosted following the appointment of Jose Luis Huerta to head the firm’s Spanish dispute resolution practice.
Lovells and Lewis Silkin return to fray in Villalba
Lovells and Lewis Silkin were back in action in Croydon last week as Merrill Lynch began its defence of former banker Stephanie Villalba’s £7.5m claim for sex discrimination.
Lovells wins landmark criminal injuries case
The widow of a man killed by her son has won a substantial criminal injuries claim, thanks to the pro bono efforts of lawyers at Lovells.
News capers
A raft of newspaper raids has heightened fears of an attack on press freedom. Keith Brandt investigates
Nick Carter: Capital One Bank
A former City lawyer is heading the legal team at Capital One, a company that markets itself as ‘fun’. Jodi Bartle goes looking for a laugh
No change for DAC senior management
Davies Arnold Cooper’s senior management will remain unchanged after nominations for the posts of executive and operations partners closed without any names being put forward. Daniel Gowan (left) and David Hertzell, who have held their respective posts for four years, will continue in their roles for another two. However, there will be a contested election ...
Opinion
Former International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Juan Antonio Samaranch declared the Sydney Olympics “the best Games ever”. Could the Athens Games rise to this challenge? The Greeks certainly had a tough act to follow and the doom-merchants had a great time cataloguing the problems facing the organisers, but by the closing ceremony the praise was all but unanimous: the Greeks ...
Pachulski conflicted on Brobeck-CC case
US bankruptcy firm Pachulski Stang Ziehl Young Jones & Weintraub has been disqualified from acting for a group of former Brobeck Phleger & Harrison partners who are attempting to sue Clifford Chance for $100m (£55.8m).
Penningtons acts for Equatorial Guinea president against three Britons
Penningtons is advising the President of Equatorial Guinea on a civil action arising from an alleged conspiracy to overthrow the government of the oil-rich African state.
PepsiCo wins US Justice Department heavyweight
PepsiCo has hired the former number two at the US Department of Justice as its new general counsel and head of government affairs.
Personal injury law firm network to launch in London
A new network of London firms is being launched to give personal injury advice across the capital.
PI lawyers hit out over referral fees
Personal injury lawyers hit out yesterday (Wednesday 8 August) at the Law Society’s stance on referral fees.
Quadrant Chambers hires DWS aviation expert
Quadrant Chambers is continuing its hiring spree after recruiting a former corporate partner from Denton Wilde Sapte (DWS). Hugh O’Donovan is joining the set after 13 years at DWS, where he was a member of the firm’s aviation practice specialising in the growing area of airline regulatory and competition work. His clients include easyJet and travel company Opodo. The move is a coup for Quadrant, which has made seven lateral hires in the last year, including Julian Malins QC from Littleton ...
Real estate deals round-up
Ashurst (Ian Nisse, Hugh Lumby) advised Chelsfield on the funding arrangements agreed with Commerz Grundbesitz Investmentgesellschaft (CGI) for the White City regeneration project in West London. The project, believed to be the largest singular investment of an open real estate fund, will ...
Regrettable situations
Whatever happened to the cringe-making email? The Bradley Chaits and Andy Dowdney’s (of Norton Rose and Charles Russell respectively, just in case you’d forgotten) of this world seem to be taking more care with those pesky digits, judging by the drop-off in mirth-making cyberspace screw-ups. Or perhaps the mistakes ...
Sex, race and disability claim payouts total £4m
Compensation totalling more than £4m was paid out by employers last year in compensation for sex, race and disability discrimination cases.
Simmons loses fifth partner in one month
Simmons & Simmons has lost a fifth partner in a month, with US-qualified Christopher Lewis quitting for Thacher Proffitt & Wood.
Simmons takes on Qtel work
Simmons & Simmons has acted on a major instruction for Qatar Telecom (Qtel) for the first time since the firm’s arrival in Doha one year ago.
Simmons wins Fantuzzi restructure
Simmons & Simmons’ Rome office has scooped a new client, crane and container manufacturer Fantuzzi, after advising on its successful financial restructuring.
The work-life quiz
Matthew Higdon, partner, M-Law
The yawn chorus
Australia’s former prime minister Bob Hawke revealed his plans for a career change, from political heavyweight to pop icon, at a recent star-studded event to celebrate Aussie law firm Holding Redlich’s tenth year in Sydney.
Thomas Eggar in lockstep overhaul
South East firm Thomas Eggar is set to overhaul its partner remuneration structure in a bid to boost profits and attract new talent.
TLT Solicitors lures Osborne Clarke duo
Bristol’s TLT Solicitors is ramping up its leisure practice with the appointment of two new partners to the group. Former Osborne Clarke senior assistants Matthew Phipps and Julian Mant have joined the firm as partners, specialising in work for leisure clients. Phipps will head the dedicated five-lawyer licensing practice, ...
UK government attempts to avoid impact of EU on employment legislation fail
An EU law expert will next week tell trade unions that the government’s attempts to avoid the effect of the European constitution on employment legislation have failed.
US firms circle Ashurst as Shearman and Debevoise lure away top players
US firms have turned their acquisitive attentions to Ashurst as, in a shock move, former managing partner Ian Nisse moves to Shearman & Sterling and Jeremy Hill, head of the financial institutions, products and services group, prepares to join
US firms smash pay scale for UK private equity talent
Top stars offered up to forty per cent on top of UK earnings as US firms enter into City bidding war
Walt Disney European general counsel quits
Walt Disney’s European general counsel Rosemary Bloom has quit after 10 years with the media giant.
Watson Farley parries pay claim from Orrick defectors
Watson Farley & Williams has successfully fended off a claim for holiday pay from the Paris team that defected to Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe.
Whistling an unhappy tune
The Steve Moxon case shows that whistle-blowing legislation may not protect employees if they go to the press. By Jon Robins
