The Lawyer
Andrew Pugh Editorial

Clock is ticking on Barclays’ panel cull

04 April 2011

Barclays kicked off its legal panel review last week, inviting firms to vie for places on what is expected to be a radically reduced list of preferred advisers.

Skadden wins injunction for TNK-BP shareholders

04 April 2011

Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom has helped seal victory at the High Court for client Alfa-Access-Renova (AAR) in its ­multibillion-dollar dispute with UK oil giant BP.

Baker Hostetler takes 17-strong Howrey team in DC and LA

29-Mar-2011

Ohio-headquartered Baker Hostetler has snapped up 17 lawyers from dissolved firm Howrey, including litigation co-chair Robert Abrams.

Camerons plumps for Tyler as senior partner race concludes

28-Mar-2011

CMS Cameron McKenna’s partnership has elected Dick Tyler as its next senior partner.

Chadbourne sets sights on Istanbul practice

28 March 2011

US firm Chadbourne & Parke is planning to launch an office in Istanbul later this year.

Charles Russell rejig sees top job ditched

28 March 2011

Top 50 firm Charles Russell has scrapped the role of managing partner in a ­radical overhaul of its ­management structure.

Mayer Brown, Heenan Blaikie land Afghan mining mandates

28 March 2011

US firm Mayer Brown and Canadian outfit Heenan Blaikie have been appointed to a panel advising the Afghanistan government on the development of its ­hugely lucrative mining industry, which is estimated to have a potential value of $3tr (£1.85tr).

Ropes & Gray leads Liberty Global on German cable TV acquisition

28 March 2011

Ropes & Gray lined up alongside a raft of leading UK and US firms on cable ­company Liberty Global’s proposed e3.16bn (£2.76bn) acquisition of Germany’s third-largest cable TV ­operator Kabel Baden-­Württemberg (Kabel BW).

Mayer Brown rebuilds asset finance with Orrick hire

22-Mar-2011

Mayer Brown has boosted its City asset finance offering with the hire of former Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe Europe managing partner Stuart McAlpine

Relocation: Yahoo!

18-Mar-2011

Grainne Brankin

IP rights: Lycatel

18-Mar-2011

Mohammed Malique

Financing: Liberty Global

18-Mar-2011

Jeremy Evans

Bribery/Anti-corruption: Balfour Beatty

18-Mar-2011

Bribery/Anti-corruption: Novartis

18-Mar-2011

Thomas Werlen

Data protection: Guardian News & Media

18-Mar-2011

Gill Phillips

2Birds scores SNR Denton energy duo

14 March 2011

Bird & Bird has hired corporate and energy partners Matt Bonass and Michael Rudd to its international energy and ­utilities sector group.

Euro Car Parts installs commercial lawyer

14 March 2011

Euro Car Parts has hired Samar Naeem as its new commercial lawyer from Manchester firm Slater Heelis.

K&L gates sees rise in City revenue and profit

11-Mar-2011

K&L Gates has posted another year of rising revenue and profit in its London office, reporting a 6 per cent rise to $46.3m.

Remaining Howrey partners vote to dissolve firm

10-Mar-2011

Howrey’s executive committee has confirmed that the partnership has voted to dissolve the firm, bringing an end to its 55-year history.

Crowell brings Sidley's Brussels office founder on board

9-Mar-2011

US firm Crowell & Moring has hired the founder of Sidley Austin’s Brussels office, Laurent Ruessmann.

Countryside clothing start-up lines up Muckle for Partridge buy

7 March 2011

North East outfit Muckle has advised a North East start-up on the acquisition of countryside clothing brand John Partridge.

Non-lawyer partners remain a minority trend

7 March 2011

When white-collar boutique BCL Burton Copeland made practice director Jonathan Cornwell a partner last week, it became the latest firm to welcome a non-lawyer into the fold.

Welsh lawyers join forces in City

7 March 2011

At the time of writing a ’yes’ vote was widely anticipated in last week’s referendum on whether to widen the National Assembly of Wales’ ­legislative powers.

Howrey left with one City partner as Kirkland swoops

1-Mar-2011

Howrey’s London office has been reduced to only five lawyers following the departure of partner Shaun Goodman and counsel Sarah Jordan to Kirkland and Ellis’s City base.

Everything Everywhere finalises legal personnel

28 February 2011

Everything Everywhere general counsel and company secretary James Blendis has completed the restructuring of his 45-strong legal team, with three lawyers each from Orange and T-Mobile ­winning top roles.

KKR turns to Bakers for advice on divestment of Seven Media

28 February 2011

Baker & McKenzie has landed a mandate advising private equity powerhouse Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR) on the sale of its stake in Seven Media Group (SMG) to West Australian Newspapers (WAN).

Revenue hike sees Edwards Angell vie for elite US status in City

28 February 2011

The London office of US outfit Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge (EAPD) saw its London turnover rocket by almost 50 per cent in 2010, putting it on course to break into the top 30 US firms in the City.

Speechly woos DLA partner to lead PE team

28 February 2011

Speechly Bircham has hired DLA Piper partner Malcolm ­MacDougall to head its private equity practice. McDougall, who was based in DLA Piper’s London office, is the second partner to leave the firm’s corporate practice in recent weeks, with partner Kiran Sharma heading to Ropes & Gray.

Paul Hastings raids Hogan and Proskauer for five-partner team

22-Feb-2011

Paul Hastings Janofsky & Walker has brought a five-partner team in to its Paris office with lawyers from Hogan Lovells and Proskauer Rose.

Hogan Lovells combo pays dividends as PEP jumps 10 per cent in first year

21 February 2011

Merged firm impresses market despite absorbing merger costs.

HogLov posts PEP hike and marginal revenue drop in first set of merged results

17-Feb-2011

Hogan Lovells has reported a slight dip in revenue in the first set of financial figures the firm has released since its merger in May 2010.

Nine more Howrey partners jump ship, joining Jones Day and Ober Kaler

16-Feb-2011

Another nine construction partners left Howrey yesterday including Stephen O’Neal, the former chairman of collapsed US firm Thelen.

Howrey exodus continues as another seven partners jump ship

15-Feb-2011

Seven IP partners have left Howrey’s US offices in the last five days including San Francisco-based rainmaker KT Cherian. 

Bakers leads Ensco bid to buy rival US driller Pride

14 February 2011

Baker & McKenzie is ­representing UK-based ­offshore drilling company Ensco on its $7.1bn (£4.4bn) bid to acquire US competitor Pride.

Harrow to make all data public in FOI revolution

7 February 2011

Harrow Council legal head Hugh Peart is considering plans to revolutionise the way the authority ­discloses data under the Freedom of Information Act (FOI).

Wragges snares finance partner from BLP

7 February 2011

Wragge & Co has boosted its banking and finance team with the appointment of veteran Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) partner Jennifer Mackerras. Mackerras, who joins on 1 March, specialises in cross-border banking transactions and acts for borrowers and lenders, counting Lloyds TSB among her clients.

Howrey exodus continues as Chicago chief quits for Morgan Lewis

2-Feb-2011

Three partners have left Howrey’s Chicago office to join Morgan Lewis, including office managing partner David Clough and consumer class action chief Kenneth Kliebard.

Sidley promotes City quartet in 28-strong global round

25-Jan-2011

US firm Sidley Austin has added four lawyers to its partnership in London in a 28-strong round of annual promotions.

Hogan Lovells lures Sidley partner in City

24 January 2011

Hogan Lovells has boosted its London debt capital markets team with the hire of Sidley Austin partner Dennis Dillon.

Spirit guide: Martin Cooke, Edrington

24 January 2011

Martin Cooke, until recently the first and only lawyer at spirits business Edrington, also enjoys a heady cocktail of non-legal roles.

Howrey vice-chair quits as Kilpatrick swoops for Taipei outpost

19-Jan-2011

Three Howrey partners have left to join US rivals Dewey & LeBoeuf, including vice-chairman Henry Bunsow, and the firm’s Taipei office has been acquired by US firm Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton.

Hunton names UK privacy head as City chief

17-Jan-2011

Hunton & Williams has appointed UK privacy and information management head Bridget Treacy as its London managing partner.

Google searches out Pinsents legal director

17 January 2011

Pinsent Masons legal director Struan Robertson is leaving the firm later this month to join Google’s legal team as product counsel as the internet giant ­continues its recruitment drive in London.

Bingham shuns London in 13-strong promos round

12-Jan-2011

Bingham McCutchen had added 13 lawyers to its partnership, all of whom are based in the firm’s US office, in its annual round of promotions.

FFW snares Howrey team for launches in Munich and Düsseldorf

11-Jan-2011

Field Fisher Waterhouse (FFW) plans to open in Munich and Düsseldorf after hiring a four-partner team from Howrey.

Howrey boss: shedding 60 partners is all part of a cunning plan

10 January 2011

Radical downsizing and a strategic rethink as IP is spun off.

Man at M&A

10 January 2011

Barclays M&A legal chief Matthew Dobson believes his job combines the best parts of in-house and private practice, says Andrew Pugh

Howrey's London chief jumps ship to Field Fisher

7-Jan-2011

Howrey’s London managing partner Mark Hodgson has left the firm to join Field Fisher Waterhouse (FFW).

Fladgate LLPs reveal £1m loan funded Covent Garden move

6-Jan-2011

London firm Fladgate took out a £1m loan to fund its move to a new office near Covent Garden, its 2009-10 LLP accounts have revealed.

Kester Cunningham prepares to seal merger with Ashton Graham

5-Jan-2011

The partnerships of East Anglia firms Kester Cunningham John and Ashton Graham are expected to vote on a proposed merger within the next four to six weeks.

Mayer Brown exits continue as Hong Kong partner defects to Holman Fenwick

4-Jan-2011

Holman Fenwick & Willan has hired a partner and associate from Mayer Brown’s Hong Kong office

Bakers revamps City management team as Evason stands down

4-Jan-2011

Baker & McKenzie has rejigged its London office management committee with the election of IP partner Paul Rawlinson

Howes Percival wins a spot on Camelot panel

3 January 2011

Howes Percival has landed a place on National Lottery operator Camelot’s winners’ advisory panel, alongside a clutch of leading regional firms.

Tolaney shines among the new stars

3 January 2011

If 2009 was the year Sonia Tolaney rose to prominence then 2010 was the one when she affirmed her position as one of the bar’s brightest stars.

Muckle bulks up litigation group with Eversheds hire

22-Dec-2010

Newcastle firm Muckle has hired the former head of Eversheds’ North East litigation practice as a partner.

Cleary anoints DC litigator as new managing partner

20-Dec-2010

US firm Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton has elected Mark Leddy as its new managing partner following an uncontested election.

Dickie Dees launches redundancy consultation in banking team

16-Dec-2010

Dickinson Dees managing partner Jonathan Blair has confirmed that the firm has entered into redundancy talks with its banking team.

Quinn Emanuel makes City promotion two years after UK launch

15-Dec-2010

US litigation firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan has elected a London associate to its partnership in an eight-strong promotions round.

McDermott promotes two in UK while preparing move to City's most expensive building

14-Dec-2010

US outfit McDermott Will & Emery has made up two partners in London ahead of the firm’s relocation to the 46-story Heron Tower, the City’s tallest building.

Dewey pays bonuses of up to 19.5 per cent to City associates

14-Dec-2010

The City office of US firm Dewey & LeBoeuf has announced its year-end bonuses for London associates, with awards ranging from five per cent to 19.5 per cent of salary.

Seyfarth Shaw launches in UK with Norton Rose hire

8-Dec-2010

US firm Seyfarth Shaw is opening a London office after poaching Norton Rose employment chief Peter Talibart.

SullCrom promotes one London partner in eight-strong round

7-Dec-2010

Sullivan & Cromwell has made up one City associate in an eight-strong global partnership promotion round.

Coca-Cola European counsel retires

6 December 2010

Coca-Cola Europe’s ­veteran general counsel Christopher Barnard has retired from the company, with Sandra Mori stepping up to replace him.

Hammonds' Europe profit halved in 2009-10, LLP results reveal

2-Dec-2010

The profit generated by Hammonds’ mainland Europe offices almost halved in the 2009-10 financial year, the firm’s last set of LLP accounts as an unmerged entity have revealed.

Hogan Lovells advises Sport England Olympics lottery grant

1-Dec-2010

Hogan Lovells has advised Sport England on the terms of its £10.5m lottery grant towards the London 2012 Olympics VeloPark project.

Chadbourne names new managing partner as O'Neill steps down

1-Dec-2010

Chadbourne & Parke’s veteran managing partner Charles O’Neill has stood down from the role after 13 years.

Royal Mail slashes legal panel with three firms winning places

25-Nov-2010

Royal Mail has cut its legal panel from eight firms to three following a review of its external advisers.

Mayer Brown promotes 32, six in London

24-Nov-2010

Mayer Brown has made up six partners in London as part of a 32-strong round of annual partner promotions.

Jones Day targets Boston with latest office opening

22-Nov-2010

Jones Day has announced plans to open a Boston office in the New Year.

Runaway Tube legal bills are set to hit the spending cut buffers

22 November 2010

Budget reductions and an end to the PPP saga signal lower legal bills for LUL.

Addleshaws, Hammonds score as Blackburn sold to Venky's

19-Nov-2010

Addleshaw Goddard and Hammonds have advised on the £23m sale of Premiership football club Blackburn Rovers to Indian poultry and pharmaceuticals company Venky’s.

Bryan Cave promotes 14 to partnership

18-Nov-2010

Bryan Cave has made up 14 partners with all but one based in the firm’s US offices.

A&O joins US duo on debt restructure for Wind Hellas

15 November 2010

Allen & Overy (A&O) has lined up alongside US firms Bingham McCutchen and White & Case on the e1.9bn (£1.64bn) debt restructuring of Greek mobile phone operator Wind Hellas.

Hammonds’ brand: going, going, nearly gone

15 November 2010

Hammonds and US ­firm Squire Sanders & Dempsey are on course to complete the latest transatlantic tie-up after the ­proposed merger last week (5 November) received the overwhelming backing of both partnerships.

Screen star

15 November 2010

Darren Drabble, GC at online comparison website Moneysupermarket.com, jumped in feet first when he learnt the company was on the verge of becoming a plc.

Hammonds, Squire Sanders win 90 per cent backing for merger

8-Nov-2010

The partnerships of Hammonds and Squire Sanders  & Dempsey have voted overwhelmingly in favour of its proposed merger, which will go live on 1 January 2011.

Court of Appeal comes to the rescue in European Directories restructure

8 November 2010

Supreme Court threat means it ain’t over till it’s over, says Andrew Pugh

Trowers contrives merit-based switch

8 November 2010

Trowers & Hamlins is consulting fee-earners over plans to abandon its PQE model in favour of a merit-based remuneration system.

Hammonds brand to be dropped in US and Eastern Europe as part of Squire Sanders merger

4-Nov-2010

Hammonds has confirmed its name will not feature in the US and Eastern Europe if its merger with US firm Squire Sanders & Dempsey goes ahead.

Herbert Smith snubs overseas partners for strategy meeting

2-Nov-2010

The timing of Herbert Smith’s November general partner meeting (GPM) has triggered claims that lawyers in the firm’s overseas offices are being marginalised by London.

Bakers reshuffles management team as Latin American partner takes chair

1-Nov-2010

Baker & McKenzie has reshuffled its global management committee as Latin America chair and Brazil managing partner Eduardo Leite takes over as chairman.

Dechert takes on ex-DLA Piper partner

1 November 2010

Dechert has hired DLA Piper partner Igor Panshensky as a partner in its corporate and securities group in Moscow.

Hammonds promotes insolvency duo

1 November 2010

Hammonds has promoted two partners in its business ­recovery and insolvency team.

Milbank adds to London securities team

1 November 2010

Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy has announced the arrival of Weil Gotshal & Manges partner Peter Schwartz as a partner in its global securities group in London.

Fladgate helps German retailer set up shop in UK

25 October 2010

Fladgate has advised German retailer Jack Wolfskin on the company’s first foray into the UK market.

Nationwide slashes 43 firms from commercial lending panel

22-Oct-2010

Nationwide Building Society has cut the number of firms on its commercial lending panel from 60 to 17 following a comprehensive three-month review of its legal advisers.

Winston turns to Cadwalader to fill Beijing chief role

21-Oct-2010

Winston & Strawn has poached three corporate lawyers, including new Beijing managing partner Jem Li, from US rival Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft.

Land Securities turns to SABMiller for first-ever legal chief

19-Oct-2010

FTSE100 property company Land Securities has appointed its first group general counsel and company secretary.

Jones Day to open São Paulo arm

18-Oct-2010

US firm Jones Day has unveiled plans to open its first office in Brazil.

Housing alliance plans for cuts as it appoints roster

18 October 2010

The recently established Housing Associations’ Legal Alliance (HALA) has appointed its first panel of legal advisers, the latest in a series of organisations seeking to pool legal resources ahead of impending public sector cuts.

Aegis Media GC promoted to group role

11 October 2010

Aegis Media general counsel (GC) Simon Zinger has been ­promoted to the newly created role of GC at Aegis Group.

CC and Freshfields land roles on £1.3bn AZ Electronic IPO

11 October 2010

Clifford Chance and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer have bagged roles on what could become one of the biggest private equity- backed initial public offerings (IPO) of 2010.

Freeth Cartwright remains optimistic about debt levels

11 October 2010

Top 100 firm Freeth Cartwright has a “reasonable expectation” that it will continue as a going concern despite being heavily reliant on overdraft facilities to meet its working capital needs.

Skadden helps SocGen fight off US subprime class action

11 October 2010

Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom has successfully defended Société Générale (SocGen) in a class action that alleged the bank violated US securities law and misled investors over its exposure to subprime mortgages.

Proskauer elects its youngest-ever chair as SJ Berwin talks continue

5-Oct-2010

Proskauer Rose has elected a new global chairman as the New York firm continues to pursue a potential merger with SJ Berwin.

Akin-Orrick merger talks collapse

4-Oct-2010

Talks between US firms Akin Gump Hauer & Feld and Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe have broken down just five days after the pair announced they were discussing a possible merger.

Freshfields and Travers brought in on CSG’s bid for BSS provider Intec

4 October 2010

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Travers Smith have advised on CSG Systems’ offer for UK business support services (BSS) provider Intec Telecom Systems.

WRU will look to London as it sets up first formal panel

4 October 2010

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) is poised to launch its first formal legal panel early next year.

Orrick rejoins merger club by courting Akin Gump

29-Sep-2010

US firms Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld and Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe are in talks regarding a potential merger.

DMH develops London with corpfin figure

27 September 2010

DMH Stallard has hired the former corporate finance chief of Hogan Lovells legacy firm Lovells in the latest step in its plan to expand in London.

Herbies poised to reappoint managing partner

27 September 2010

Herbert Smith managing partner David Willis looks set to stand unopposed for a second term.

Hammonds hires former Halliwells partner for hotels practice launch

20-Sep-2010

Hammonds has launched a hotels and leisure practice with the arrival of former Halliwells partner Chris Eddlestone.

Debevoise beefs up London practice with Travers hire

20-Sep-2010

US firm Debevoise & Plimpton has expanded its London private equity practice with the hire of Travers Smith partner David Innes.

FFW lands Kazakh energy outfit’s North Sea stake

20 September 2010

Field Fisher Waterhouse (FFW) has advised Kazakhstan’s JSC KazMunaiGas Exploration Production (KMG EP) on its acquisition of a 35 per cent stake in North Sea oil and gas fields from BG Group.

Sea worthy: Dominic Buckwell, GE SeaCo

20 September 2010

GE SeaCo legal chief Dominic Buckwell takes a commercial approach to his job and a careful approach as to which firms he chooses to spend his significant legal budget on.

Cleary and Freshfields scoop Deutsche deal

17-Sep-2010

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer have landed lead roles in Deutsche Bank’s proposed takeover of Deutsche Postbank.

Clarke Willmott hires in for Manchester launch

13 September 2010

Clarke Willmott is to open its fifth UK office, with a base in Manchester planned for later this year.

HayFin instructs Macfarlanes on £375m funding package

13 September 2010

Macfarlanes has advised corporate lender Haymarket Financial Holdings (HayFin) on its multimillion-pound capital injection.

Hogan Lovells sets out stall for New York corporate and finance push…

13 September 2010

…but accepts patience is a virtue if it is ever to be at the core of the Big Apple.

Fladgate hires former Halliwells real estate finance chief

10-Sep-2010

The former head of Halliwells’ London real estate finance practice has joined Fladgate.

Aviva names new general counsel

6 September 2010

Kirsty Cooper has been appointed to the dual role of general counsel and company secretary at Aviva.

Dechert arrival puts Frankfurt in the frame

6 September 2010

Dechert is looking at launching in Frankfurt ­following the arrival of ­alternative investment funds specialist Achim Pütz from SJ Berwin.

National duo lose RSA panel places

6 September 2010

Addleshaw Goddard and Eversheds have been dropped from RSA’s UK legal panel following the insurance company’s revamp of its roster of ­external advisers.

Clarke Willmott and Davenport Lyons advise on Stig court case

2-Sep-2010

Clarke Willmott and Davenport Lyons advised on the high-profile dispute between the BBC and Top Gear driver the Stig.

Herbies stalwart Gold takes on corporate monitor role at BAE Systems

31-Aug-2010

Herbert Smith’s former senior partner David Gold has been appointed independent corporate monitor at BAE Systems.

Hammonds to seal transatlantic merger with Squire Sanders

25-Aug-2010

Hammonds is the latest UK firm to eye a US merger, after announcing it is in talks over a potential tie-up with Cleveland-headquartered Squire Sanders & Dempsey.

Former Rio Tinto legal chief joins investigations business GPW

25-Aug-2010

Former Rio Tinto general counsel Charles Lawton has joined private intelligence company GPW as a special advisor.

Calm under pressure: Hugh Peart, Harrow Council

16 August 2010

Providing legal services to local councils - which often come under considerable public scrutiny - may not have the cachet of working for the private sector, but it’s certainly not without its share of controversy.

Thomas Eggar brings in US strategy guru

16 August 2010

Thomas Eggar has appointed veteran chairman of US firm Williams Mullen as a strategic adviser.

PEP up 56 per cent for Bakers' London partners

12-Aug-2010

Average profit per equity partner (PEP) at Baker & McKenzie’s London office rose  55.5 per cent to £650,000 in the 2009-10 financial year.

King & Spalding prepares for Singapore launch

10-Aug-2010

US firm King & Spalding has announced plans to open its first office in Asia.

Milbank hires five-partner team from Latham

6-Aug-2010

A five-strong team of banking partners has left Latham & Watkins’ New York office to join Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy.

Hogan Lovells, White & Case act on China's Venezuela investment

6-Aug-2010

Hogan Lovells and White & Case have bagged roles on one of the biggest financing projects undertaken by the China Development Bank (CDB) in Latin America.

Welsh Rugby Union hires FA man as legal chief

4-Aug-2010

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has named former FA senior solicitor Rhodri Lewis as its head of legal affairs.

Law games: Julia Runnacles, Hasbro Europe

2 August 2010

As vice-president of Hasbro Europe’s legal team, Julia Runnacles’ job is not just fun and games - it’s also IP, safety regulations and a long list of upcoming Hollywood films.

Nokia Siemens hires HP legal chief as general counsel

30-Jul-2010

Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) has hired Hewlett-Packard’s (HP) Europe legal chief as its general counsel.

Shoosmiths hires Halliwells team for Manchester corporate launch

27-Jul-2010

Shoosmiths has continued the expansion of its Manchester office with the arrival of a three-strong corporate team from Halliwells.

Bakers secures IP panel spot for JCB

26 July 2010

Baker & McKenzie has been appointed as global IP counsel for manufacturing giant JCB.

Wedlake Bell posts 120 per cent PEP hike

26 July 2010

London-based firm ­Wedlake Bell has posted the biggest rise in average profit per equity partner (PEP) of the 2009-10 ­financial year so far - an astonishing 120 per cent

A touch of Das: Orjit Das, Genpact Europe

19 July 2010

General counsel Orijit Das has taken Genpact Europe from ostensible start-up to being one of the fastest-expanding companies around. He tells Andrew Pugh about the changing face of life as an in-house lawyer

Orange, T-Mobile merger kicks off panel scramble

19 July 2010

Telecoms giants’ ’Everything Everywhere’ tie-up puts legacy panel firms on red alert

Lovells' PEP rises 13 per cent in year before Hogan merger

14-Jul-2010

Hogan Lovells legacy firm Lovells has reported a 13 per cent increase in average profit per equity partner (PEP), rising from £586,000 to £663,000.

Mills & Reeve sees marginal increases in turnover and PEP

12-Jul-2010

Mills & Reeve has posted slight increases in turnover and average profit per equity partner (PEP) for the 2009-10 financial year.

Eversheds, Hogan Lovells, Links capture prison PFI instructions

12 July 2010

Eversheds, Hogan Lovells and Linklaters have acted on the £415m ­Belmarsh West Prison PFI ahead of Government plans to cut the £4bn prisons budget.

Lovells posts turnover rise in last year as unmerged firm

9-Jul-2010

Hogan Lovells legacy firm Lovells saw a marginal increase in turnover in the 2009-10 financial year.

Howes Percival welcomes two to partnership

8-Jul-2010

Howes Percival has made up two partners in its annual promotions round, with both based in the firm’s East Midlands employment practice.

Hammonds posts turnover dip at 2009-10 year-end

6-Jul-2010

Turnover at Hammonds continued to decline in the 2009-10 financial year, falling by 6 per cent to £117.8m.

Dechert, FFW and Slaughters take on Schroders’ acquisition of RWC

5 July 2010

Dechert, Field Fisher Waterhouse and Slaughter and May have landed roles on Schroders’ acquisition of a 49 per cent stake in asset management company RWC Partners.

Iron woman

5 July 2010

For most in-house lawyers, a high level of involvement with a thriving start-up would be enough. MetLife’s Stephanie Fuller, however, also manages to squeeze in some Ironman training.

US firms line up to crack Brazil

5 July 2010

There’s a saying among US law­yers: “Brazil is the China next door.” It might help explain why US firms continue to pour into the region.

Bakers makes up seven City partners

1-Jul-2010

Baker & McKenzie has promoted seven lawyers to its London partnership.

Capital’s gain

28 June 2010

Particularly where litigation and regulation are concerned, business is booming for Capital One Bank general counsel Rupert MacInnes.

Watson Burton plugs leadership vacancy

28 June 2010

Watson Burton has named veteran corporate head Gillian Hall as its new senior partner following a two-month period when the firm had no clear leader.

DLA private equity chief departs for Kaye Scholer

24-Jun-2010

DLA Piper’s private equity chief has left to become managing partner of Kaye Scholer’s London office.

City firms line up for latest bout of Lehman litigation

21-Jun-2010

Leading City firms appeared in the Court of Appeal today to try to recover funds for their clients in a long-running dispute relating to the collapse of investment bank Lehman Brothers.

Hodge Jones & Allen

21 June 2010

When Hodge Jones & Allen was founded 33 years ago it was part of a wave of radical law firms ­established to fight injustice for the disadvantaged and ­disenfranchised.

Neuberger report: more solicitor judges wanted

21 June 2010

The Law Society has long stated its belief that the judiciary should better reflect the diversity of the society it serves rather than being the preserve of the white, heterosexual, Oxbridge-­educated, male barrister.

Shepherd & Wedderburn posts 11 per cent revenue drop

17-Jun-2010

Scottish firm Shepherd & Wedderburn increased profits by 9 per cent in the 2009-10 financial year despite revenues dropping by 11 per cent.

The cable guy

14 June 2010

Liberty Global head counsel Jeremy Evans was the man behind the groundbreaking acquisition of Unitymedia. He tells Andrew Pugh about overcoming the deal’s challenges in record time

Ward Hadaway hire secures schools project

7 June 2010

Ward Hadaway partner Karen Andrews has helped secure a mandate advising on a £350m schools project two months after arriving at the firm.

Dechert to split leadership role as Winokur prepares to step down

4-Jun-2010

US firm Dechert will restructure its leadership after announcing that long-term chair and chief executive Bart Winokur will stand down next year.

Kirkland raids Ashurst for private equity partner duo

1-Jun-2010

Ashurst has lost two corporate partners to the City office of US firm Kirkland & Ellis.

Day of the low costs

31 May 2010

Santander UK’s head of commercial law, Joanna Day, has seen the company undergo radical change and has been instrumental in guiding it through the recession.

A&O spin-off boosts partnership with double lateral hire

28-May-2010

Allen & Overy spin-off Maurice Turnor Gardner (MTG) has hired two pensions partners.

Hogan Lovells makes first lateral with Wilmer Hale partner

27-May-2010

Hogan Lovells has made its first lateral hires since its merger went live on 1 May.

GTM hires White & Case counsel as partner

26-May-2010

Greenberg Traurig Maher’s (GTM) recruitment drive has continued with the hire of finance specialist Emma Menzies from White & Case.

Freshfields and Hammonds advise on Pearson's Melorio bid

25-May-2010

Hammonds has been instructed by vocational training provider Melorio to advise on its £99.3m takeover approach from Pearson.

Paul Hastings prospers in the face of recession, thanks to European focus

24 May 2010

Increase in UK turnover the result of a patient build-up on the Continent

Trio of Paul Hastings partners return to Hunton & Williams

20-May-2010

Three former Hunton & Williams partners have returned to the firm from its US rival Paul Hastings.

Reed Smith adds seven-strong real estate team in Pittsburgh

19-May-2010

US firm Reed Smith has snared seven real estate lawyers from the Pittsburgh office of Pepper Hamilton.

DAC bags Thomas Eggar employment head

17 May 2010

Thomas Eggar London employment head Nick Hine has joined Davies Arnold Cooper’s (DAC) employment team.

Kobre & Kim, Quinn Emanuel target London as financial litigation hotspot

17 May 2010

US litigation outfits see UK capital as fertile ground for growth.

London law firm fined £400,000 by Financial Services Tribunal

13-May-2010

London law firm Atlantic Law has been fined £400,000 for its part in an illegal boiler room share fraud.

Coffin Mew boosts corporate with Penningtons former group head

11-May-2010

Hampshire-based Coffin Mew has bolstered its corporate and insolvency teams with two new partner hires.

Five make director in Dickie Dees reshuffle

10 May 2010

North East firm Dickinson Dees has promoted five of its ­associates to director level across its pensions, property, ­corporate recovery and public services departments.

Latham and A&O emerge as biggest hirers and firers

10 May 2010

The two global firms believed to have made the most redundancies over the past two years have also been the most active in the recruitment market, figures obtained by The Lawyer reveal.

Senior Clifford Chance partner quits for King & Wood

7-May-2010

Clifford Chance partner Rupert Li has left the firm to become international managing partner at King & Wood.

Hogan Lovells suffers third China departure as Beijing chief quits for Paul Hastings

6-May-2010

Childs defends US headcount drop as CC posts worst magic circle figures

3 May 2010

?Matt Byrne and Andrew Pugh report on CC’s dwindling people power

One step ahead: Heather Mitchell, The Carlyle Group

3 May 2010

General counsel at The Carlyle Group Heather Mitchell sees outsourcing to exceptional people as one of the secrets of her success.

Simmons added to roster as Standard Chartered tweaks UK panel

29-Apr-2010

Simmons & Simmons has been added to Standard Chartered Bank’s UK panel, joining six existing firms on the roster.

Field Fisher promotes record number of partners - all in London

28-Apr-2010

Field Fisher Waterhouse has promoted nine new partners, more than double the number that made the grade last year.

Ernst & Young faces Lehman litigation following examiner's report

27-Apr-2010

Ernst & Young has been named as a defendant in an amended class action in the Lehman Brothers securities fraud case, but Linklaters appears to have avoided the threat of litigation.

Berryman

26 April 2010

Nottingham firm Berryman has undergone a raft of changes since managing partner James Jarvis arrived at the firm in 1999.

Crowell & Moring ramps up presence in Middle East and North Africa

22-Apr-2010

US firm Crowell & Moring is stepping up its presence in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) with tie-ups in Cairo and Saudi Arabia.

Howes Percival plans major expansion of family practice with Harvey Ingram hire

21-Apr-2010

Howes Percival has brought in former Harvey Ingram partner Jane Cowley to head its new family law team, as the firm forges ahead with plans to expand its private client offering.

Walker Morris chair steps down amid management overhaul

20-Apr-2010

Walker Morris’s long-term chairman is to stand down from the role next month prompting a major shake-up of the firm’s management structure. 

A&O and Sullivan bag key roles in Goldman fraud case

19-Apr-2010

Allen & Overy (A&O) and Sullivan & Cromwell will play key roles when Goldman Sachs defends fraud allegations brought by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Focus: The General Election, Commons goal

19 April 2010

With less than three weeks to go until the general election, The Lawyer catches up with some of the legal practitioners hoping to become the political stars of the future

Kirkland bags lead role on Almatis’s disputed Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing

19 April 2010

US firm advising Oaktree as co-investor, and main contender, DIC picks Weil.

Hammonds names new Manchester chief

14-Apr-2010

Hammonds has elected a new head for its Manchester office, with Jane Haxby taking over from Jonathan Edwards.

Focus: Top 30 us firms in London, Inner-City blues

12 April 2010

Despite positive noises regarding London prospects, the past year has been just as tough on the big US players as it has on their domestic rivals

States in the City

12 April 2010

With the global economy showing signs of recovery, The Lawyer takes the temperature of US firms in London.

City firms tie up Yorkshire private equity transaction

5 April 2010

Addleshaw Goddard, DLA Piper and Hammonds have completed an all-­Yorkshire private equity transaction for Phoenix Equity Partners.

Kirkland restructuring partner in GTM U-turn

5 April 2010

One of the restructuring partners due to join ­Greenberg Traurig Maher (GTM) from Kirkland & Ellis has decided to stay where he is.

Watson Burton chief stands down ahead of move to Muckle

1-Apr-2010

Watson Burton senior partner Robert Langley has resigned from the firm’s partnership ahead of a move to North East rivals Muckle.

Thomas Eggar targets City mid-sizer for merger

29 March 2010

Thomas Eggar is drawing up plans for a merger in a bid to boost its profile in the City and attract outsourced work from magic and silver circle firms.

Schilling Zutt raids Skadden for Frankfurt launch

26-Mar-2010

Schilling Zutt & Anschutz (SZA) has raided Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom’s tax practice ahead of its new office opening in Frankfurt.

Greenberg Traurig Maher raids Kirkland for two more restructuring partners

25-Mar-2010

Greenberg Traurig Maher (GTM) has continued its hiring spree with the capture of two more restructuring partners from the London office of Kirkland & Ellis.

SRA chair in hot seat at Lawyer event as City firms scrutinise regulatory shift

15 March 2010

The new chair of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) board will today (15 March) set out the objectives of the new-look regulatory body in a speech at The Lawyer’s sixth ­annual Strategic Risk Management Conference.

Freshfields beefs up US litigation team with triple partner hire

11-Mar-2010

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has expanded its US litigation team with the capture of three new partners.

K&L Gates bulks up City corporate practice with double partner hire

8-Mar-2010

K&L Gates has strengthened its corporate capabilities in London with the hire of two partners.