Eversheds ousts Olswang in Hewlett-Packard review

Olswang has lost out to Eversheds in Hewlett-Packard's final post-merger review of its law firms.
Hewlett-Packard completed the UK and Ireland part of its merger with Compaq in February 2003 and has been streamlining its legal advisers since then.
The final stage covers employment and has resulted in the appointment of Eversheds as the company's employment adviser. Olswang's Reading office (formerly Garretts) was Compaq's adviser on employment issues prior to the merger.
Hewlett-Packard head of legal Gareth John has now settled on a panel of firms. Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is the key corporate adviser after partner Claire Wills helped steer the merger and integration. The firm was also highly praised for its advice on competition issues before the European Commission.
Harry Small's team at Baker & McKenzie has won the role of key IT adviser, a relationship that has developed over a number of years. Small advised Digital before its merger with Compaq and continued to advise Compaq thereafter. Freshfields also advises on some IT issues.
Lewis Silkin is the company's property adviser, while Baker & McKenzie and Clyde & Co complete the panel as Hewlett-Packard's litigators.