BLP, Camerons join Linklaters on Amec

Linklaters, one of the main global corporate advisers to Amec, is now having to share its client with Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) and CMS Cameron McKenna as a result of an overhaul of the company's external legal advisers and the setting up of a formal corporate panel.
The selection process involved a variety of firms that were fighting for a piece of the action to advise the construction and engineering company which has a turnover of £5bn.
The Lawyer understands that a number of national firms were hoping to be chosen, but in the end Amec plumped for the City option.
Camerons managing partner Richard Price said: "We're delighted to be appointed to Amec's panel for corporate work after a very thorough selection process."
Head of legal services at Amec Michael Blacker, who has been in his post since the beginning of the year, told The Lawyer: "The decision is based on the fact that, as with all key service suppliers, Amec is looking to have a panel of external lawyers for corporate work. We're slimming down the number of firms we use to give us greater flexibility."
The new panel formations do not just affect corporate. A litigation panel was put in place a few months ago, which now consists of Camerons, Masons and Wragge & Co. However, the panel is not exhaustive and other firms may be used from time to time, depending on the case.
Amec is also embarking on a major review of its employment panel. Blacker said: "For employment work we're looking to retain national and provincial firms as opposed to City. It's about getting the right value for money."
BLP, Linklaters and Camerons will provide general corporate advice. BLP has also been used in the past, but only for property work.
Amec has nine qualified lawyers in the UK and also has capabilities in other parts of Europe and in North America. The corporate panel is global, although overseas domestic firms are also used occasionally. The company outsources a large percentage of work and is currently looking to increase its international expansion.