In brief: Herbert Smith switches PR agent

Herbert Smith has appointed Ludgate Communications as the firms' PR agent. The appointment was made by Liz McDougall, an experienced lawyer who became the firm's head of business development some months ago. Ludgate replaces Tavistock Communications, which was introduced to the firm by Herbert Smith's short-lived former marketing chief Roger Bruce, who departed last year. McDougall is seeking to recruit a "number two" for her marketing team.