Freshfields and Linklaters go head-to-head for prime LogicaCMG role

Freshfields has stolen a march on its rival after Logica, to which it was the main corporate adviser, grabbed the head of legal and company secretary roles. Logica's Lawrence Guedes was app-ointed head of legal for the combined company, while CMG's former head of legal and company secretary Richard Francis was shifted from the legal group to the integration committee.

Linklaters is CMG's main corporate adviser, and the relationship partner is Michael Sullivan, while Freshfields partner James Davis led his firm's relationship with Logica.

Guedes and Francis will work on a panel review, which will comprise one main corporate adviser, a firm for IT, a non-City firm for property, a firm for employment and one for intellectual property (IP). Francis said the panel will be drawn from the companies' existing advisers, but added that they may conduct a beauty parade for the IP work.

CMG's other advisers include Clifford Chance, DLA, Nabarro Nathanson and RadcliffesLeBrasseur. Logica's include Beachcroft Wansbroughs, Eversheds, Pinsent Curtis Biddle and Wragge & Co.