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James Swift Editorial

BLP to spin off Lawyers on Demand business

24-May-2012

Berwin Leighton Paisner’s (BLP) partners last night voted to spin off the firm’s interim lawyer service, Lawyers on Demand (LoD).
A&O picks up Mayer Brown partner for Vietnam launch

24-May-2012

Allen & Overy (A&O) is set to launch two offices in Vietnam after hiring Mayer Brown JSM’s managing partner in the country.
Freshfields consolidates CVC Capital relationship with F1 share sale

23-May-2012

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer advised regular client CVC Capital Partners on the sale of $1.6bn (£1bn) in Formula One shares to three investors ahead of the company’s planned IPO.
Foreign lawyers in Kurdistan warned of action against "illegal" practice

23-May-2012

A spokesperson purportedly connected to the Kurdistan Bar Association Council has confirmed that it will be pursuing international lawyers it believes are practising without a licence in the region.
Herbert Smith cuts Dubai support jobs in bid to streamline office

22-May-2012

Herbert Smith has made five support staff redundant in Dubai in a bid to align the number of back office workers with the number of fee-earners.
Former GTM restructuring head Norley takes non-legal role at Jefferies

21-May-2012

Former Greenberg Traurig Maher restructuring head Lyndon Norley has joined Jefferies Group, one of the US’s largest independent banks.
HBJ Gateley welcomes six to partnership

21-May-2012

HBJ Gateley, the Scottish arm of Gateley, has made up six partners in its annual round of promotions.
King & Wood Mallesons looks West for international expansion

21-May-2012

King & Wood Mallesons is on the lookout for tie-up partners in the US and UK as part of its bid to become a leading international firm, with Nixon Peabody and SJ Berwin touted by market commentators as early contenders.
Herbert Smith closes in on African launch in Guinea

21-May-2012

Herbert Smith is expected to make a decision on whether it establishes a footprint in Africa by the end of next month, with the Republic of Guinea emerging as a strong contender for an office launch.
Cobbetts picks litigation head as new managing partner

21-May-2012

Cobbetts has elected a new managing partner to replace Michael Shaw, who spent 16 years in the post.
CC’s fast-track exit strategy

21 May 2012

As firms look to slim their equity, Clifford Chance is poised to catch up its rivals, or even overtake them
Double fudge

21 May 2012

Farrers continues with ’compromise’ senior partner solution
Making tough love

21 May 2012

DLA Piper develops brisk management style to help it through growing pains
BLP on course for modest turnover rise at end of expansionist year

18-May-2012

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) looks set to post a single-digit increase in turnover for the 2011-12 financial year.
Legal alliances Legal Networks International and Oasis announce merger

18-May-2012

Law firm alliances Legal Networks International and Oasis have merged to create LNI Oasis, an organisation with around 57 firms spanning 50 countries.
LG bolsters real estate team with hires from Herbies and Linklaters

17-May-2012

LG has tapped Herbert Smith and Linklaters to hire three real estate partners.
Pinsents promotes 13 in first post-merger round

16-May-2012

Pinsent Masons has made up 13 new partners in its first round of promotions since merging with McGrigors on 1 May, with two new members coming from the legacy Scottish firm.
Eversheds advises BGT finalists Only Boys Aloud

16-May-2012

Eversheds is helping Britain’s Got Talent finalists Only Boys Aloud register as a charity and is also helping the group with brand protection following its TV appearances.
Addleshaws names new litigation head as Ablyazov lawyer steps down

15-May-2012

Addleshaw Goddard litigation head Richard Leedham, who is the lead advisor on the multi-billion pound Ablyazov case, will step down from his management role next month.
Pannone promotes seven to new junior equity role

14-May-2012

Pannone has shaken up its partnership model and made up seven lawyers to the new role of junior equity partner but none to full partner, in its annual round of promotions.
Simmons bolsters Frankfurt base with three-partner Dewey team

14-May-2012

Simmons & Simmons has hired a three-partner team from Dewey & LeBoeuf in Frankfurt.
Dewey bankruptcy rainmaker Bienenstock defects to Proskauer Rose

14-May-2012

Dewey & LeBoeuf bankruptcy star and board member Martin Bienenstock has jumped ship with a team of five partners to Proskauer Rose.
Goodwin Procter snares Linklaters partner in property push

14-May-2012

Linklaters real estate partner Joe Conder is leaving the firm to join Goodwin Procter’s London office.
Old dogs, new tricks?

14 May 2012

Berwin Leighton Paisner has hired two magic circle veterans in a bid to realise its corporate ambitions. Will the strategy pay off?
Magic circle cautiously optimistic for growth despite economic stagnation

7-May-2012

Law firms are predicting muted results and a sustained lull in the markets following a disappointing second half to the financial year.
Absolute Radio legal head to join Perform Group

7-May-2012

Absolute Radio’s head of legal is set to leave the company for digital rights company Perform Group.
New faces

7 May 2012

Does top UK firms’ strategy of shipping out associates for NQs hold water?
Slowly but surely

7 May 2012

Dundas won’t make any knee-jerk reactions to managing partner’s resignation
Maclays set to make private client redundancies

4-May-2012

Scottish firm Maclay Murray & Spens has announced that it has begun a redundancy consultation in its private client team.
'Go-to' technology partner defects from Herbert Smith to Taylor Wessing

3-May-2012

Taylor Wessing has hired Herbert Smith technology partner Christopher Rees.
DLA Piper promotes 58 across global network

3-May-2012

DLA Piper has made up 58 lawyers to partner in its annual round of promotions, slightly up on 2011’s 53.
Forsters sees turnover rise despite 'uncertain market'

3-May-2012

Mayfair firm Forsters has posted a 13 per cent rise in turnover for the 2011-12 financial year.
2Birds beefs up venture capital team with BLP hire

3-May-2012

Bird & Bird has hired a private equity partner from Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) in a bid to develop its venture capital practice.
Allen & Overy rebuilds in Germany with Linklaters hire

2-May-2012

Allen & Overy (A&O) has hired Linklaters’ Germany IP head, boosting its depleted team following a raid by Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan.
K&L Gates installs Eversheds partner as first Doha lateral

2-May-2012

K&L Gates has made its first partner hire in Doha since opening an office there in September 2011.
Simmons promotes 10 to partner, eight in London

1-May-2012

Simmons & Simmons has made up 10 lawyers to partner in its annual round of promotions.
Former Halliwells fixed-share partners query BDO's impartiality

30-Apr-2012

A group of former Halliwells fixed-share partners have questioned the impartiality of the failed firm’s administrators, claiming they previously benefited “from the most lucrative referral opportunities which Halliwells had”.
Herbert Smith prepares to cut up to 51 jobs, 23 in corporate

30-Apr-2012

Herbert Smith plans to cut its London headcount by around 51, with corporate heaviest hit, as it embarks on a redundancy consultation.
DLA Piper to recognise pro bono in billing targets

30-Apr-2012

DLA Piper has rolled out an initiative across its international LLP that will see pro-bono work recorded in exactly the same way as fee-earning hours.
Eversheds in court over Newcastle Airport negligence claims

30-Apr-2012

Eversheds has begun its High Court battle with former client Newcastle International Airport, which accuses the firm of negligence.
Brand aid

30 April 2012

Do you know what’s on your firm’s Wiki page?
Kurd your enthusiasm

30 April 2012

Erbil lawyers want action taken against outsiders they feel are muscling in
Part of the union

30 April 2012

Being head of legal at the Rugby Football Union is hardly a recipe for a relaxing life, but Karena Vleck says her job is so much fun that even the bad times are good
Italy's Pirola Pennuto applies for ABS licence

27-Apr-2012

An Italian firm has become one of the first from outside the UK to apply for alternative business structure (ABS) status.
Linklaters vows to stick with lockstep after dismissing all-equity model

27-Apr-2012

Linklaters has nixed discussions to move to an all-equity or eat-what-you-kill style partnership, telling members at its partnership conference last week that it was sticking to the lockstep.
Addleshaws joins Links and Slaughters on BA's first post-Iberia panel

27-Apr-2012

British Airways’ (BA) first panel review since its merger with Spanish counterpart Iberia has been finalised, with Linklaters and Slaughter and May among the seven firms to land roles.
Herbert Smith promos down slightly as 10 get the nod

26-Apr-2012

Herbert Smith has made up 10 lawyers to partner in its annual round of promotions, with the total dipping slightly from last year’s 13.
Wragges adds Manches partner to real estate team

26-Apr-2012

Wragge & Co has hired Manches’ Thames Valley projects head as a partner in its real estate team.
Dewey Moscow latest office to mull defection

26-Apr-2012

Lawyers at Dewey & LeBoeuf’s Moscow office are weighing their options after offers from US, UK and even Chinese firms.
News International refers Times lawyer to SRA over NightJack

25-Apr-2012

News International (NI) has reported a lawyer working at The Times and Sunday Times to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) for their role in the paper’s exposé of the NightJack blogger.
Second Dewey partner quits for KPMG

24-Apr-2012

A Dewey & LeBoeuf New York tax partner has followed in former London chief Fred Gander’s footsteps, leaving the firm for KPMG.
SRA names Cardiff firm as latest ABS

24-Apr-2012

Cardiff solicitors’ firm NewLaw Legal Limited has become the latest organisation to be licensed as an alternative business structure.
BDO loses in Halliwells case but judge leaves door open for fraud claim

24-Apr-2012

It was “inconceivable” that Halliwells’ staff and fixed-share partners did not know something about the equity partners’ reverse premium windfall, a judge ruled today.
BLP hires retiring Allen & Overy corporate partner Paul

24-Apr-2012

One of Allen & Overy’s (A&O) most senior corporate partners who announced his retirement from the firm late last year has resurfaced at Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP).
BLP launches Tel Aviv representative base

23-Apr-2012

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has opened a representative office in Israel’s financial centre.
Linklaters seals Allens Arthur Robinson alliance

23-Apr-2012

Linklaters has announced that it has signed an exclusive alliance with Australian firm Allens Arthur Robinson (AAR) in a tie-up which will see the firms combine in an Asian joint venture.
Stephenson Harwood prepares to launch in Dubai

23-Apr-2012

Stephenson Harwood is preparing the ground to launch an office in Dubai as part of its continuing international strategy.
DLA Piper's funds head quits for Simmons & Simmons

23-Apr-2012

Simmons & Simmons has hired DLA Piper’s head of investment funds in the UK as a partner in its financial services team.
Eversheds adds real estate partner from Berwin Leighton Paisner

20-Apr-2012

Eversheds has hired a real estate partner from Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP), the latest in a spate of hires in the sector for the firm in London.
Dewey instructs New York bankruptcy specialist

20-Apr-2012

Dewey & LeBoeuf has instructed a leading bankruptcy lawyer as the firm moots restructuring in the wake of high debt and mass partner defections.
Latham under fire for holding cooking event for female network

20-Apr-2012

Latham & Watkins’ Women Enriching Business (WEB) programme has caused a stir after arranging a canapé-making evening for its members.
Bircham managing partner to step down in May

19-Apr-2012

Bircham Dyson Bell’s managing partner has told the firm’s management board that he will not stand for re-election next month.
BLP elects new chairman as senior partner remains in post

19-Apr-2012

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has elected a new chairman to replace incumbent Peter Robinson as Harold Paisner gets another term as senior partner.
Explosive allegations surface in Halliwells court case

18-Apr-2012

Halliwells’ equity partners altered the minutes of a meeting about the £25m Spinningfields reverse premium before passing them on to the rest of the firm, it was alleged in court today (18 April).
Mishcon promotes four partners, all in London

18-Apr-2012

Mishcon de Reya has made up four partners in London in its annual round of promotions
CapQuest turns to GE Capital to fill general counsel role

17-Apr-2012

Debt manager CapQuest Group has hired GE Capital’s chief compliance office to fill the newly created role of group general counsel.
Stewarts Law to launch offices in New York and Delaware

17-Apr-2012

Litigation boutique Stewarts Law is set to launch a US practice, with offices in New York and Delaware.
SNR Denton wins £600k bribery case against former India head

16-Apr-2012

The High Court has ordered SNR Denton’s former India head to repay her old firm and its insurers almost £600,000, which they lost as a result of her involvement in a bribery scandal.
Hidden agenda

16 April 2012

Know the mystery lawyer in the Heywood case? Well keep it to yourself
Tough talking

16 April 2012

Mediation veteran faces uphill battle in Halliwells-BDO £20m windfall negotiations
Salans puts faith in Shanghai as it pulls out of Beijing

13-Apr-2012

Salans has voted to close its Beijing office as the firm opts to focus on Shanghai in China.
DLA Piper seeks 'fresh perspective' with management revamp

12-Apr-2012

DLA Piper has made a number of management changes including naming Andrew Darwin as UK managing partner and shaking up its year-old executive management team.
Freshfields adds Asia partners from Allens Arthur Robinson and Milbank

12-Apr-2012

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has boosted its energy and infrastructure practices in Asia with partner hires from Allens Arthur Robinson (AAR) and Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy.
Ex-Halliwells partners prepare for mediation with liquidators over £20m windfall

12-Apr-2012

The former Halliwells partners facing a £20m High Court claim from the firm’s liquidators are set to enter mediation later this month, with Michel Kallipetis QC leading the proceedings.
Bond Pearce hires from Clydes

10-Apr-2012

Bond Pearce has hired a Clyde & Co partner, boosting its insurance professional risks team in London.
DLA Piper adds Goldman director to London partnership

10-Apr-2012

DLA Piper has hired an executive director from Goldman Sachs to join its restructuring practice in London.
Loosening ties

2 April 2012

The alliance model is struggling, but watch out for China
Partners in crime

2 April 2012

More top lawyers are being rumbled for financial wrongdoing
Former Linklaters partner takes advisory role at Obelisk Legal

29-Mar-2012

Linklaters’ former emerging Europe, Middle East and North Africa managing partner Nick Eastwell has joined Obelisk Legal Support as an advisory board member.
Locke Lord continues to build in London with Berkeley House hire

29-Mar-2012

US firm Locke Lord has hired a lawyer from Berkeley House Investments to join its nascent London office.
Simmons expands core sector focus as part of three-year plan

28-Mar-2012

Simmons & Simmons is adding asset management and investment funds to its list of core sectors as the firm prepares to embark on its latest three-year business plan.
Addleshaw Goddard promotes six to its partnership

27-Mar-2012

Addleshaw Goddard has made up six new partners in its annual round of promotions.
Trowers makes up 11 to partner, seven in London

27-Mar-2012

Trowers & Hamlins has made up 11 partners in its annual round of promotions, with seven of the new members based in London.
Ex Hogan Lovells partner Grierson admits £1.27m expenses fraud

27-Mar-2012

Former Hogan Lovells partner Chris Grierson pleaded guilty to four counts of fraud totalling £1.27m at a plea hearing at Southwark Crown Court this morning.
Allen & Overy and Allen & Gledhill call time on tie-up talks

26-Mar-2012

Allen & Overy (A&O) and Singapore’s Allen & Gledhill have called off tie-up talks after failing to agree terms.
Cobbetts managing partner to step down from top job

26-Mar-2012

Cobbetts managing partner Michael Shaw has announced that he is stepping down after 16 years in the role.
Down and out in Cannes

26 March 2012

Howard Kennedy left hotel-free at Mipim as trip organiser goes bust
Irwin Mitchell picks up personal injury WIP as Donns files for administration

23-Mar-2012

Irwin Mitchell has bought a portfolio of personal injury cases from failed Manchester firm Donns.
Nabarro partner sets up niche practice for SME advice

21-Mar-2012

A corporate partner who left Nabarro in January has set up his own niche practice catering to SMEs.
Enyo Law bolsters partnership with Bond Pearce hire

20-Mar-2012

Litigation boutique Enyo Law has hired a partner from Bond Pearce, taking the total number of members at the niche firm to 10.
SNR Denton Abu Dhabi partner takes charge of Kuwait office

20-Mar-2012

SNR Denton has named Abu Dhabi partner Stuart Cavet as managing partner of its Kuwait office, replacing David Pfeiffer, who resigned from the firm in October.
Axiom to open Belfast base with £1.6m public cash injection

20-Mar-2012

Axiom has launched a new delivery centre in Belfast after being offered up to £1.6m in public funding to make the move.
Former FSA conduct chief joins PwC as general counsel

20-Mar-2012

The former managing director of the FSA’s conduct business unit Margaret Cole has been appointed general counsel of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) UK.
Willkie Farr swoops on 12-partner Dewey corporate team

19-Mar-2012

Willkie Farr & Gallagher has hired a 12-strong team of transactional and regulatory lawyers from Dewey & LeBoeuf.
Bond Pearce and Maclays ditch merger plans

14-Mar-2012

Bond Pearce and Scottish firm Maclay Murray & Spens have called off merger talks that would have created a £95m turnover firm.
DLA Piper partners approve move to all-equity model outside US

14-Mar-2012

DLA Piper’s partnership has voted in favour of an all-equity model across the non-US side of its business, with management announcing the result today.
Simmons continues partner raid on BLP

13-Mar-2012

Simmons & Simmons has hired a real estate partner from Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) – its seventh partner hire from BLP in less than a year.
Heinz slashes panel in European review

13-Mar-2012

Global food conglomerate Heinz has drastically cut its roster of external law firms from more than 50 to just three, following a Europe-wide panel review.
Team of Withers litigators quits to launch City office for Australia's Lipman Karas

13-Mar-2012

Australian litigation boutique Lipman Karas is set to launch an office in London after taking a team of lawyers from Withers.
King & Spalding hires partner duo from Bird & Bird

12-Mar-2012

King & Spalding has boosted its London office with the hire of two litigation partners from Bird & Bird.
Lost in space

12 March 2012

The City property market is in the doldrums, with law firms shelving expansion plans and mergers providing the main impetus for relocating.
DWF hands third term to managing partner

7-Mar-2012

DWF has reappointed Andrew Leaitherland as managing partner for a third three-year term after he ran unopposed for the post.
Lawyers share in Lehman advisory bill of over £1bn

6-Mar-2012

Law firms and consultants have profited from Lehman Brothers’ bankruptcy to the tune of almost $1.6bn (£1.02bn), according to the latest filings – making it the largest bankruptcy in history by a wide margin.
Wragges ends promos hiatus with three new partners

6-Mar-2012

Wragge & Co has ended its partner promotions freeze by making up three new members in 2012.
White & Case revamps global pro bono offering

6-Mar-2012

White & Case, the first US firm to establish a full-time pro bono operation in London, has reshuffled its offering leading to the exit of European pro bono coordinator Felicity Kirk.
Lewis Silkin highest ranking firm in Sunday Times' best employer list

5-Mar-2012

Six law firms have made it into The Sunday Times’ 100 Best Companies to Work For list.
Dewey & LeBoeuf to cut 5 per cent of lawyers across global network

5-Mar-2012

Dewey & LeBoeuf has confirmed that it is cutting 5 per cent of its lawyers and 6 per cent of its support staff globally, as the firm takes steps to make itself more competitive.
Ashfords and Rochman Landau merge to create £30m firm

5-Mar-2012

Ashfords and Rochman Landau have gone ahead with a mooted tie-up, with the deal going live on 1 March.
Firms tooled up for diversity drive

5 March 2012

Can Toolkit for the professions break the ’who you know’ culture?
Olswang and Pinsents lead on Liberty Living refinancing

2-Mar-2012

Olswang and Pinsent Masons have both advised on the £300m refinancing of student accommodation provider Liberty Living.
Simmons represents ex-Olympus chief in Employment Tribunal case

1-Mar-2012

Simmons & Simmons is advising former Olympus president Michael Woodford, who was sacked after blowing the whistle on dubious deals at the company, as he takes his case to the London Employment Tribunal.
White & Case sees turnover rise and PEP fall in 2011

1-Mar-2012

White & Case has posted a 4 per cent rise in turnover for 2011 as global profit per equity partner (PEP) dropped by 5 per cent.
Keoghs seeks external investment from Bowmark Capital

28-Feb-2012

Greater Manchester firm Keoghs is in talks with private equity firm Bowmark Capital about taking external investment.
Linklaters moots tie-up with Slaughters' Aussie best friend

28-Feb-2012

Linklaters is understood to be in tie-up talks with Slaughter and May’s Australian best friend Allens Arthur Robinson (AAR), The Lawyer can reveal.
Linklaters' former corporate head takes role at BLP

27-Feb-2012

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has hired Linklaters’ former global head of corporate David Barnes.
Squire Sanders hires duo of DLA Piper construction partners

27-Feb-2012

Squire Sanders is poised to hire two construction partners from DLA Piper’s Birmingham office, one of whom is the group head for EMEA.
Dundas to cut partners and staff to 'reflect business needs'

24-Feb-2012

Dundas & Wilson is preparing for a round of staff job cuts and is also expected to slash partner numbers after assessing what a spokesperson termed “the nature and level of demand for its services”.
Trowers pulls out of Riyadh as sole lawyer defects to alliance firm

23-Feb-2012

Trowers & Hamlins has been forced to terminate its exclusive alliance in Riyadh after its last associate in the city jumped ship to the firm’s local ally.
BLP hands fifth term to managing partner Eisenberg

23-Feb-2012

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has re-elected Neville Eisenberg as managing partner for a fifth term.
Reed Smith sees PEP slide as turnover rises

23-Feb-2012

Reed Smith has posted a near 4 per cent rise in turnover up to $993m (£633m) for the 2011 financial year.
Cherie Booth launches legal action against NoW phone-hacker

22-Feb-2012

Matrix Chambers founder Cherie Booth QC is suing private investigator Glenn Mulcaire and News Group Newspapers.
Allen & Overy, Cleary and White & Case lead on £110bn Greek bailout

22-Feb-2012

Allen & Overy (A&O), Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton and White & Case all took roles advising on Greece’s £110bn bailout.
Hughes Hubbard’s head case

20 February 2012

Headhunter launches action for non-payment of recruitment fees
BLP ponders future of Lawyers on Demand business

17-Feb-2012

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) is discussing whether to spin off its Lawyers on Demand (LoD) service as the business goes through ‘its adolescence’.
Hammonds and Eversheds spin-outs merge to create £15m firm

17-Feb-2012

Two debt recovery boutiques that spun out from legacy Hammonds and Eversheds, respectively, are to merge to create a £15m practice.
Lawrence Graham eyes international expansion with Singapore tie-up

17-Feb-2012

Lawrence Graham (LG) is set to launch an office in Singapore after forging an alliance with a local firm.
Shearman takes 'appropriate action' against viral email trainee

16-Feb-2012

Shearman & Sterling has concluded its investigation of a trainee whose private holiday email to friends went viral and ended up as national news.
Jones Day and Wachtell lead as Kellogg's acquires Pringles

16-Feb-2012

Jones Day and Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz have landed roles on the $2.7bn (£1.7bn) sale of Pringles crisps to Kellogg’s.
FSA conduct chief to leave regulator ahead of break-up

15-Feb-2012

The FSA has announced that managing director and board member Margaret Cole will leave the organisation later this year.
Freshfields and Herbert Smith advise on £1bn Land Securities joint venture

15-Feb-2012

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Herbert Smith have helped Land Securities and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) establish a joint venture for a £1bn property project in London Victoria.
Biggart Baillie scores role on Rangers administration

15-Feb-2012

Scottish firm Biggart Baillie has been drafted in to advise as Rangers Football Club goes into administration.
HBJ Gateley makes triple partner hire for Scottish offices

14-Feb-2012

HBJ Gateley has hired a trio of partners from three different firms to give its Scottish practice a boost.
Salans and SNR Denton latest firms to hold merger talks

14-Feb-2012

Salans and SNR Denton are in talks over a potential tie-up that would create a transatlantic giant with a combined turnover in the region of £760m.
Harbottle pioneers 'preconception' agreements for non-traditional families

14-Feb-2012

Harbottle & Lewis is offering preconception contracts to non-traditional families looking to have children in the wake of a landmark High Court case that introduced the concept of principal and secondary parenting.
SNR Denton prepares for New Orleans launch

13-Feb-2012

SNR Denton will launch a New Orleans office on 1 March, with the new base focusing on energy-related work.
News Corp racked up $87m of legal fees in final quarter of 2011

13-Feb-2012

The News of the World phone-hacking scandal cost parent company News Corp $87m in the last quarter of 2011.
Access to Justice Foundation takes on first-ever CEO

13-Feb-2012

The Access to Justice Foundation has appointed its first chief executive officer (CEO) as the organisation looks to raise the profile of the pro-bono sector.
Brown Rudnick raids Gide for London disputes team

13-Feb-2012

US firm Brown Rudnick has poached a disputes partner and his team from Gide Loyrette Nouel in London.
Equity not guaranteed for McGrigors partners post-merger

13-Feb-2012

Close to a third of McGrigors’ equity partners will be forced to prove themselves to regain their equity status when the firm merges with Pinsent Masons.
In the middle of the NightJack row

13 February 2012

Newspapers’ former lawyer brought into row over police blogger
Number crunching: Wragge & Co

13 February 2012

According to managing partner Ian Metcalfe, Wragge & Co was once described by one auditor as, “the most conservatively-financed law firm in the UK”.
A&O to ditch compulsory retirement at 60

10-Feb-2012

Allen & Overy is set to abolish rules that force partners to retire at 60.
Shearman investigates viral email trainee

9-Feb-2012

Shearman & Sterling is investigating the trainee who was part of a group of City workers whose list of holiday rules for a lads’ holiday went viral yesterday, ending up as national news.
Mayer Brown property and DCM heads quit for US firms

8-Feb-2012

Mayer Brown is set to lose its head of real estate and head of debt capital markets in London in separate raids by US firms.
Pinsents scoops £25m incentive for office move

8-Feb-2012

Pinsent Masons got a £24.6m cash incentive from its developer to move into its offices in Crown Place, according to the firm’s latest LLP accounts.
Misys appoints general counsel as CEO amid merger talks

8-Feb-2012

The general counsel of FTSE 250 listed software company Misys has been made acting chief executive officer following the resignation of the present chief.
Eversheds snares Dundas property partner

8-Feb-2012

Eversheds is set to boost its real estate team in London with a partner from Dundas & Wilson.
SNR Denton posts 40 per cent drop in profit for 2010-11

7-Feb-2012

SNR Denton’s UK LLP accounts show profit at the group fell from £37.9m to £22.5m in 2010-11.
SDT strikes off former Ince partner over £3m expenses fraud

7-Feb-2012

The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) has struck off former Ince & Co partner Nathan Iyer after he admitted charges that he stole £3m from his firm and from clients.
Ashfords plans London expansion through Rochman merger

7-Feb-2012

Exeter firm Ashfords and Central London’s Rochman Landau have confirmed that they are in merger talks.
Taylor Wessing takes anti-gay law case to ECHR

6-Feb-2012

Taylor Wessing has taken on its first case since signing up to the Human Dignity Trust’s legal panel, representing two men arrested in Turkish-controlled Cyprus under a law that criminalized gay sex.
McGrigors and Pinsents vote in favour of merger

6-Feb-2012

McGrigors and Pinsent Masons have agreed to merge following a partner vote that closed on Friday, 3 February.
BA prepares to unveil slimmed down legal roster

6-Feb-2012

British Airways (BA) is close to announcing the results of its UK-wide panel review, with sources close to the tender predicting a slimmer line-up.
CPA Global appoints LSO head following departure of ex-Rio Tinto attorney

6-Feb-2012

CPA Global has appointed a new head of legal service outsourcing (LSO) to fill the gap left by Leah Cooper, who departed the business late last year.
Economical with the truth

6 February 2012

The downturn gets blamed for everything
Nowhere to hide

6 February 2012

Is open-plan working really the future for lawyers? Meet the evangelists
Canada's Gowlings continues to build in City with Cobbetts team

3-Feb-2012

Canadian firm Gowlings has hired a four-partner team from Cobbetts’ equity capital markets team for its London office.
Hogan Lovells prepares to name City litigator as firm chairman

3-Feb-2012

The head of Hogan Lovells’ London real estate litigation team has been put forward as the firm’s sole chair, with partners expected to vote on the appointment next week.
McGrigors name to disappear as part of Pinsent Masons deal

2-Feb-2012

McGrigors is set to lose its brand if its merger with Pinsent Masons goes ahead, according to sources close to the firms.
DLA's Knowles got £1.7m profit share in 2010-11

2-Feb-2012

DLA Piper’s highest earning partner, understood to be joint chief executive officer and managing partner Nigel Knowles, earned £1.711m in 2010-11, up from £1.627m the year before, according to the firm’s LLPs.
DLA Piper advises on privatisation of Kuwait Stock Exchange

2-Feb-2012

DLA Piper has been appointed by the Kuwait Capital Markets Authority (CMA) to help privatise the country’s stock exchange.
Dundas & Wilson focuses on Scottish heritage with Aberdeen launch

2-Feb-2012

Scottish firm Dundas & Wilson is set to launch a corporate-focused office in Aberdeen.
BLP's top-earner got £1.65m profit share in 2010-11

1-Feb-2012

Berwin Leighton Paisner’s (BLP) highest paid partner got £1.65m in 2010-11, according to the firm’s LLP accounts, up from £1.6m the year before.
Cumberland Ellis and Wedlake Bell prepare for April merger

1-Feb-2012

London firms Cumberland Ellis and Wedlake Bell are set to merge, creating a top 100 firm by revenue.
Australia's Minter Ellison launches in Mongolia

1-Feb-2012

Australian firm Minter Ellison is opening an office in Mongolia in a bid to capitalise on the country’s emerging resource-based economy.
Hogan Lovells capital contributions up £10m last year

31-Jan-2012

Hogan Lovells’ 2010-11 financial year accounts for the firm’s international LLP show growth in turnover and profit, while partners were asked to put more money into the business.
SNR Denton loses 10-strong Paris team to Hughes Hubbard

31-Jan-2012

A 10-lawyer team, including a former managing partner, is leaving SNR Denton’s Paris office to join US firm Hughes Hubbard & Reed.
Cobbetts and DWF abandon merger talks in uncertain market

31-Jan-2012

DWF and Cobbetts have called off merger discussions, blaming “uncertain market conditions”.
Maclay Murray & Spens LLPs reveal cost of Glasgow move

30-Jan-2012

Scottish firm Maclay Murray & Spens saw its profits dip during the 2010-11 financial year, while the firm took on more debt following an office move.
Family value: Vizards’ messy break-up sparks pay row

30 January 2012

A law firm takeover is hard to get right, but a partial one can be hell, as Vizards Wyeth is finding out.
Top-earning Nabarro partner took home £484,000 in 2010-11

26-Jan-2012

Nabarro’s top-earning partner got £484,000 in the 2010-11 financial year, down 4 per cent from £505,000 in 2009-10.
Taylor Wessing's highest-earning UK partner took home £703,000 in 2010-11

25-Jan-2012

Taylor Wessing’s top-earning UK partner raked in more than £703,000 in 2010-11, 20 per cent more than the highest paid partner got in 2009-10.
Latham and Olswang lead as Searchlight buys stake in Hunter wellies

25-Jan-2012

Latham & Watkins and Olswang were the legal advisors on the sale of a majority stake in Hunter Boot Limited to US private equity house Searchlight Capital Partners.
Listed company launches bid for Silverbeck Rymer

24-Jan-2012

Liverpool firm Silverbeck Rymer is set to become the first law firm to be acquired by a listed company after Quindell Portfolio announced it had agreed to pay almost £20m for the firm.
A&O hires capital markets lawyer from Linklaters Frankfurt

23-Jan-2012

Allen & Overy has expanded in Germany, taking a capital markets expert from Linklaters.
EMW makes trio of London partner hires

23-Jan-2012

EMW has given its London office a boost, adding three partners - all of whom join as department heads - and a consultant.
Tods Murray bolts on private client boutique

23-Jan-2012

Scottish firm Tods Murray has absorbed two-partner private client firm Fyfe Ireland.
Nabarro's European alliance gains Spanish member after two year hiatus

23-Jan-2012

Nabarro’s international alliance has added Spanish firm Roca Junyent as its newest member.
Number crunching: Addleshaw Goddard

23 January 2012

Earlier this month Addleshaw Goddard announced that managing partner Paul Devitt would continue for a second term in the role. Devitt breezed back into office in an uncontested election, even though the firm has had a tough downturn.
Simmons cites market turbulence as it trims Abu Dhabi and Dubai

20-Jan-2012

Simmons & Simmons has made lawyers and support staff in its Abu Dhabi and Dubai offices redundant in response to what it terms “ongoing market conditions in the Middle East”.
Baker & McKenzie beats 45 firms to win Colt Europe role

20-Jan-2012

Baker & McKenzie has won a bid to become FTSE 250 telecoms company Colt Group’s preferred legal advisor on commercial work across Europe, beating more than 45 firms.
Herbert Smith bulks up in Belfast with addition of 18 fee-earners

19-Jan-2012

Herbert Smith has hired 18 fee-earners for its litigation due diligence-focused Belfast office.
Revealed: McGrigors and Pinsent Masons moot £282m merger

19-Jan-2012

McGrigors and Pinsent Masons are preparing the ground for a potential merger in a deal that would make the combined firm the 12th largest in the UK by turnover.
Secret Keltie client acquires herbertsmithfreehills.com domain name

19-Jan-2012

A UK and European patent and trademark firm has registered the domain name www.herbertsmithfreehills.com following the news that Herbert Smith and Freehills are in merger talks.
DLA Piper unveils succession plan for US business

19-Jan-2012

DLA Piper has announced the duo of partners who will succeed Frank Burch and Lee Miller as the firm’s US co-chairs.
Dundas & Wilson takes two-partner banking team from Stephenson Harwood

18-Jan-2012

Scottish firm Dundas & Wilson has hired a five-strong banking team, including two partners, from Stephenson Harwood.
Cobbetts and DWF confirm merger talks

18-Jan-2012

Management at Manchester’s Cobbetts and North West firm DWF have officially confirmed that they are in merger discussions, although they stopped short of giving any further details.
Herbert Smith partners give green light to Freehills talks

17-Jan-2012

Herbert Smith and Australia’s Freehills are pushing ahead with merger talks after The Lawyer first reported the pair were mulling discussions in December.
BBC promotes in-houser to GC role

17-Jan-2012

The BBC has named a new group general counsel to replace Nicholas Eldred, who left the organisation in 2011 to join auction house Christie’s.
SDT suspends ACS:Law founder for two years

17-Jan-2012

ACS:Law founder Andrew Crossley has been suspended from practising for two years and ordered to pay £76,326.55 in costs at a Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) hearing yesterday (16 January).
Former Rowlands Field Cunningham partner sues for capital

17-Jan-2012

A former partner at Manchester firm Rowlands Field Cunningham (RFC), which was taken over by Linder Myers in a pre-pack deal in December, is suing his old firm for missing capital repayments.
DWF-Cobbetts: fit for purpose?

16 January 2012

While both firms will benefit from a tie-up, top 30 hopeful DWF will be in the driving seat
Allen & Overy reappoints senior and managing partners

13-Jan-2012

Allen & Overy’s (A&O) senior and managing partners will each serve another term in their respective roles following uncontested elections.
DLA Piper adds five Reed Smith partners to Silicon Valley team

13-Jan-2012

DLA Piper has hired a five-partner corporate and IP team from Reed Smith for its Silicon Valley office.
Herbert Smith names new Middle East head as incumbent shifts focus to Doha

12-Jan-2012

Herbert Smith has appointed a new Middle East head after the incumbent stepped down after five years in the role.
Addleshaws hands second term to managing partner Devitt

12-Jan-2012

Addleshaw Goddard managing partner Paul Devitt will serve another term in the post following an uncontested election.
Wragges' highest earner took £734,000 profit share in 2010-11

11-Jan-2012

Wragge & Co’s highest paid partner was awarded £734,000 in the 2010-11 financial year, up 65 per cent from £444,000 in the previous financial year.
BLP continues to build banking with hire from Clifford Chance

11-Jan-2012

Berwin Leighton Paisner’s (BLP) banking push shows no sign of abating as the firm picks up a structured finance partner from Clifford Chance.
London Capital Group hires legal chief from Axiom

11-Jan-2012

Financial spread betting and contract for difference provider London Capital Group (LCG) has appointed a group legal counsel from Axiom Legal.
Simmons ranks in Stonewall's gay-friendly employers top 10

11-Jan-2012

Simmons & Simmons has held onto its title as the most gay-friendly law firm for the fourth year running in LGB charity Stonewall’s employer rankings.
DLA Piper taps Hogan Lovells for five-partner US energy team

10-Jan-2012

DLA Piper has hired a five-partner energy team from Hogan Lovells in the US.
Pannone to make redundancies in three NW offices

10-Jan-2012

North West firm Pannone is mulling redundancies in its construction, road traffic accident and family teams in Manchester, as up to 12 fee earners and support staff look set to lose their jobs when the firm closes two satellite offices.
Greenberg Traurig Maher makes loss in first full year in City

9-Jan-2012

Greenberg Traurig’s London office, Greenberg Traurig Maher (GTM), raked in £8.7m in its first full financial year, according to the firm’s LLP accounts.
SNR Denton adds Linklaters partner to London finance team

9-Jan-2012

SNR Denton has added to its banking and finance team in London with a Linklaters partner as the firm continues to expand its practice globally.
Cobbetts and DWF prepare ground for May merger

9-Jan-2012

North West firm DWF and Manchester firm Cobbetts are understood to be close to finalising a merger that could go ahead as early as May, adding around £44m to DWF’s growing turnover.
Banks force debt collectives

9 January 2012

Rowlands Field Cunningham and Linder Myers could be among the leaders of the pre-pack
Eversheds extends exclusive Tyco deal for further two years

6-Jan-2012

Eversheds has renewed its deal with Tyco International to service all the manufacturer’s legal needs across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Allen & Overy's Canary Wharf exit cost firm £25m

5-Jan-2012

Allen & Overy (A&O) incurred one-off costs of £29m in 2010-11, with the decision to abandon its Canary Wharf satellite office accounting for the bulk of the figure.
Olswang taps BLP for hire of real estate partner

4-Jan-2012

Olswang has boosted its real estate team with a partner hire from Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP).
DWF bolsters nascent Newcastle practice with Dickie Dees hire

4-Jan-2012

DWF has bulked up its burgeoning Newcastle practice with banking partner from Dickinson Dees.
Hogan Lovells promotes 35 to partner in global round

3-Jan-2012

Hogan Lovells has made up 35 partners in its annual round of promotions, with 46 also promoted to counsel, of counsel or consultant.
Manchester's Linder Myers expands with pre-packed rescue of RFC

3-Jan-2012

Manchester headquartered Linder Myers has bought fellow Manchester firm Rowlands Field Cunningham (RFC) out of administration, as the firm sets its sights on growing from a £10m to £25m operation in three years.
Mayo Wynne Baxter bulks up with Allen Ticehurst deal

3-Jan-2012

Sussex firm Mayo Wynne Baxter has merged with East Grinstead’s Allen Ticehurst Solicitors.
Mubarak adviser’s timely UK retreat

2 January 2012

Link with former Egyptian president prevents Bakers’ Cairo head from going home
Allen & Overy seals two deals for Kingdom of Morocco

22-Dec-2011

Allen & Overy (A&O) has landed roles acting for the Kingdom of Morocco on two multi-billion dollar deals since launching its office in Casablanca in September.
Mishcon and Eversheds lead on Rolls Building sale

21-Dec-2011

Eversheds and Mishcon de Reya both took leading parts in the £305m sale of the Rolls Building to Legal & General Property (L&G).
Reed Smith strengthens structured finance with BLP's Box

21-Dec-2011

Reed Smith has given its structured finance capacity a boost with a hire from Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP).
BLP bolsters Singapore with Watson Farley hire

19-Dec-2011

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has hired Watson Farley & Williams’ Asia corporate head for its Singapore office.
SNR Denton adds Dechert lawyer to City financial services team

19-Dec-2011

SNR Denton has given its London financial services and funds team a boost with the addition of a hire from Dechert.
A&O and Clifford Chance among firms on new SocGen panel

16-Dec-2011

Allen & Overy and Clifford Chance have both made the cut in French bank Société Générale’s 12-strong global panel.
SNR Denton trims Paris as strategic review takes off

16-Dec-2011

A team of three partners and six associates is set to leave SNR Denton’s Paris office as the firm pushes forward with its interim strategic review.
Qatari Diar prepares ground for first-ever legal panel

15-Dec-2011

Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company is putting together its first legal panel and is seeking tenders from 46 international firms.
BLP hires Allen & Overy partner for London energy practice

13-Dec-2011

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has given its London projects team a boost, hiring an equity partner from Allen & Overy (A&O).
LG partner Garnham quits firm for social networking

12-Dec-2011

LG private client partner Caroline Garnham has left the firm to concentrate on the social networking site she dreamed up five years ago.
A&O names global corporate co-head

12 December 2011

Allen & Overy (A&O) has appointed a new global corporate co-head following Sietze Hepkema’s announcement that he will retire in the New Year.
A&O, CC, Freshfields: no Links-style cull

12 December 2011

Allen & Overy (A&O), Clifford Chance and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer have vowed not to carry out a partnership cull in response to the latest downturn.
Pinsents cuts Salans ties as it launches in Munich, Paris

12 December 2011

Pinsent Masons and Salans have called time on their strategic alliance as Pinsent Masons prepares for New Year launches in France and Germany.
Camerons cuts three from London real estate

9-Dec-2011

CMS Cameron McKenna has cut three real estate partners from its City office.
Eversheds explores client delivery revamp

9-Dec-2011

Eversheds is reviewing its client delivery model after talks with Accenture over legal process outsourcing (LPO) fell through.
A&O, Clifford Chance, Freshfields: We're not cutting our partnerships

9-Dec-2011

Allen & Overy (A&O), Clifford Chance and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer have vowed not to carry out a partnership cull in response to the latest downturn, as it emerges that Linklaters is set to cull over 30 partners globally as part of its biggest restructuring in three years
Herbert Smith moves to rebuild Asia capital markets team with A&O hire

5-Dec-2011

Herbert Smith has bulked up its capital markets offering in Singapore with the hiring of a consultant from Allen & Overy (A&O).
A&O stays true to strategy with Istanbul launch

5 December 2011

Allen & Overy (A&O) is launching an office in Turkey as the firm pushes ahead with its strategy to target growth markets.
A&O, Bakers tie up financing for Thai power plant project

5 December 2011

Allen & Overy (A&O) and Baker & McKenzie have advised on the financing for the first large independent power producer project in Thailand to close since the global financial crash.
Manches eggs on Fabergé in London

5 December 2011

Manches has helped jeweller Fabergé launch its first London shop for almost a century.
CMS Cameron McKenna sees steady half-year growth

2-Dec-2011

CMS Cameron McKenna has posted a half-year revenue of £106m – 5 per cent up on the same period in the 2010-11 financial year.
Simmons makes sixth partner hire from BLP in a year

2-Dec-2011

Simmons & Simmons has hired a corporate insurance partner from Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) – its sixth hire from the firm this year.
Hogan Lovells to move to single chairman as co-incumbent retires

1-Dec-2011

Hogan Lovells has begun soundings for a single co-chair to replace John Young and Claudette Christian, who have shared the role since the merger between legacy firms Hogan & Hartson and Lovells in May 2010.
Government infrastructure plan could provide boost for regional firms

30-Nov-2011

The Government’s National Infrastructure Plan (NIP) could be a boon for smaller regional firms, though concerns remain among lawyers whether the plan will follow reality.
Fladgate hires co-head of Finers' real estate team

30-Nov-2011

Fladgate has boosted its property team with the hire of Finers Stephens Innocent’s joint head of real estate.
Hogan Lovells names successor to retiring insurance head Young

29-Nov-2011

Hogan Lovells has appointed a new head of corporate and regulatory insurance to replace John Young, who retires in April 2012.
DLA Piper bolsters China practice with double hire from Mallesons

29-Nov-2011

DLA Piper has hired two partners for its Greater China practice from Australian firm Mallesons Stephen Jaques.
Sullivan & Cromwell announces US-led promotions

29-Nov-2011

Sullivan & Cromwell has made up five lawyers to partner – four in the US and one in Paris - in its January round of promotions.
SNR Denton posts revenue rise for first half of 2011-12

28-Nov-2011

SNR Denton has announced its global financial results for the first half of the 2011-12 financial year, with the firm posting revenue of £317.2m.
Herbert Smith advises as EDF eyes nuclear power station in Somerset

28-Nov-2011

Herbert Smith has advised long time client EDF Energy on its application to the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) for development consent to construct and operate a 3.2GW nuclear power station at Hinkley Point in Somerset.
Allen & Overy partner Alan Paul set to leave firm

28-Nov-2011

One of Allen & Overy’s (A&O) most senior corporate partners is set to leave the firm at the end of the 2011-12 financial year.
Eversheds appoints Norton Rose partner as Paris-based China head

28-Nov-2011

Eversheds has hired a Beijing-based Norton Rose partner to lead its China practice from Paris.
Allen & Overy: yes, we are pruning the equity again

28 November 2011

Allen & Overy (A&O) has returned to managing its equity partnership after a two-year hiatus.
Eversheds takes on brief for property duo

28 November 2011

Eversheds is advising two property companies that have joined forces to create a £150m build-to-let fund aimed at giving institutional investors the chance to make large investments in the private rented sector.
Freshfields there for Phoenix as it mulls CVC takeover bid

28 November 2011

Zombie life assurance fund Phoenix Group Holdings has turned to long-time legal adviser Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer for advice on its takeover talks with CVC Capital Partners.
High Court orders Herbert Smith and RBS to bare all

28 November 2011

Fresh twist in Highland Capital case as privilege waived further
Live wire: Mo Ajaz, National Grid Property

28 November 2011

Given the state of the market, National Grid Property general counsel Mo Ajaz has plenty on his plate. Luckily, he knows the company inside out, says James Swift
Addleshaws strengthens litigation with first partner hire in two years

25-Nov-2011

Addleshaw Goddard has made its first partner hire in litigation since 2009, with a lawyer from Consensus Business Group.
DWF confirms takeover of Newcastle firm Crutes

25-Nov-2011

North West firm DWF is set to merge with Newcastle firm Crutes, with the latter being incorporate into DWF in 1 January 2012.
McGrigors London besieged by protesters over cleaner row

24-Nov-2011

Cleaning staff staged a protest outside McGrigors’ London office today (24 November) complaining of mistreatment by the Scottish firm’s contract cleaning company.
DLA Piper hires Shearman lawyer to head Liverpool banking team

24-Nov-2011

DLA Piper has hired a senior associate from Shearman & Sterling’s London office to head its Liverpool banking and finance team.
DLA Piper chief Knowles faces no challengers in reelection bid

24-Nov-2011

DLA Piper joint chief executive Nigel Knowles looks set to stand unopposed for reelection.
Mallesons partners green light King & Wood merger

24-Nov-2011

Partners at Australian firm Mallesons Stephen Jaques have voted in favour of a merger with King & Wood, with the Chinese firm still to vote.
Herbert Smith puts spotlight on Asia by announcing new regional head

24-Nov-2011

Herbert Smith has named its new Asia dispute resolution head following incumbent Mark Johnson’s promotion to Asia head.
King & Wood and Mallesons plan for post-merger globalisation

23-Nov-2011

Mallesons Stephen Jaques and King & Wood are are likely to target further deals if their proposed merger wins the backing of their respective partnerships.
Trio of UK firms win places on United Drug's legal roster

22-Nov-2011

DAC Beachcroft, Eversheds and Pinsent Masons have joined two Irish firms on healthcare supplier United Drug’s first legal panel.
Half-year turnover and profit up at Manchester firm JMW

22-Nov-2011

Manchester firm JMW has seen revenue rise 16 per cent and profit increase by 23 per cent during the first half of 2011-12.
Simmons' partner numbers fell in 2010-11, LLP accounts reveal

22-Nov-2011

Simmons & Simmons’ first-ever LLP accounts have revealed that the number of equity partners at the firm fell by 8 per cent during the 2010-11 financial year.
Herbert Smith hires former E&Y partner as chief operating officer

21-Nov-2011

Herbert Smith has appointed a new global chief operating officer to replace John Mullins, who will leave the firm at the end of the financial year after more than three decades of service.
Half-year turnover up 5 per cent at Wragges

21-Nov-2011

Wragge & Co has posted a 5 per cent rise in turnover for the first half of the 2011-12 financial year.
Capsticks and Wragges secure NHS hospital deal

21 November 2011

Capsticks and Wragge & Co both scored roles advising on the first takeover of an NHS hospital by a private company.
Lewis Baach

21 November 2011

On 1 November US firm Baach Robinson & Lewis changed its name to Lewis Baach.
McGrigors cries off from maternity shift

21 November 2011

McGrigors has scrapped proposed changes to its maternity leave package following an outcry from staff.
Nabarro takes Indian client through Aim IPO

21 November 2011

Nabarro has advised an Indian biofuel producer on its £16m IPO on Aim.
New PI firm to eschew referral fees ahead of Government ban

18-Nov-2011

A new personal injury law firm that will shun referral fees has been launched in the wake of the Government’s plan to ban the controversial payments.
Addleshaws sees half-year turnover rise 11 per cent

17-Nov-2011

Addleshaw Goddard has posted revenue of £86.6m for the half year period – 11 per cent up on the same period in 2010-11.
Allen & Overy and Freshfields lead as Virgin Money buys Northern Rock

17-Nov-2011

Allen & Overy (A&O) and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer both had key roles advising on Virgin Money’s acquisition of nationalised bank Northern Rock, with the deal officially unveiled this morning.
Clifford Chance, Freshfields and SJ Berwin advise on EMI sell-off

15-Nov-2011

A raft of law firms including Clifford Chance, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and SJ Berwin landed roles on music company EMI’s break up and sale.
Turnover rise sees Eversheds post half-year figure of £184m

14-Nov-2011

Eversheds has posted a near 7 per cent rise in turnover at the half-year stage, with revenue sitting at £184.1m.
BLP adds Ashurst partner to City banking team

14-Nov-2011

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) is continuing to bulk up its finance practice, hiring a partner from Ashurst for its London banking and capital markets group.
A&O widens Belfast focus with fee-earner injection

14 November 2011

Allen & Overy (A&O) is bolstering its Belfast Legal Services Centre with a team of fee-earners as it diversifies the support centre’s focus.
DLA Piper hires for global securities start-up

14 November 2011

DLA Piper has launched an international securities group after poaching a US securities partner from Dewey & LeBoeuf.
Hill Dickinson apes DLA in brand drive

14 November 2011

Hill Dickinson senior partner David Wareing has launched a firmwide consultation process in a bid to create a “defineable” brand “like DLA Piper”.
Pannone’s white-label business hands St Johns bulk lit work

14 November 2011

Pannone has signed up St Johns Buildings to handle commodity litigation work stemming from its white-label arm Affinity Solutions.
Sports bodies team up to seek 10-firm roster

14 November 2011

The UK’s top sporting bodies have come together to establish a panel of firms to provide legal services to national governing sports organisations.
Ex-Ashurst real estate chief set to retire from firm

11-Nov-2011

One of Ashurst’s most senior real estate lawyers, Adrian Dear, is set to retire at the end of the 2011-12 financial year.
DWF sees half-year turnover rise to £45m

10-Nov-2011

North West firm DWF has revealed a 14 per cent increase in half-year turnover, posting a revenue figure of £45m.
A&O posts 11 per cent revenue hike at half-way point

10-Nov-2011

Allen & Overy’s (A&O) turnover is up 11 per cent at the half-year stage, with the firm raking in £582m compared with £526m at the mid-way point of 2010-11.
Eversheds drops O'Donnell Sweeney tag from Irish arm

10-Nov-2011

Eversheds’ Dublin branch, Eversheds O’Donnell Sweeney, is re-branding to move in line with the rest of the firm.
Half of FTSE100 High Court action involves leading banks

9-Nov-2011

The UK’s top four banks accounted for almost half of all litigation against FTSE100 companies in the High Court over the past year.
BLG partner exits fix Clydes’ conflicts

7 November 2011

The exodus of partners from legacy firm Barlow Lyde & Gilbert (BLG) has reduced significantly the number of conflicts at merged firm Clyde & Co from around 40 to seven.
Irwin Mitchell guides Mayfair site purchase

7 November 2011

Irwin Mitchell advised Phones 4U founder John Caudwell’s property division on its £143m purchase of the Audley Square House site in London’s Mayfair - one of the most prized properties held by Ireland’s National Asset Management Agency (Nama).
Links’ Singapore ally mulls switching allegiance to A&O

7 November 2011

Singapore firm Allen & Gledhill (A&G) is considering dumping joint venture partner Linklaters for Allen & Overy (A&O) as local firms look to gain access to the wider Australasian market.
Norton Rose, Trowers win roles on £1.1bn property loans deal

7 November 2011

Norton Rose and Trowers & Hamlins both landed roles on real estate services and investment company Kennedy Wilson’s $1.8bn (£1.12bn) purchase of a real estate loan portfolio from Bank of Ireland.
Judge found guilty of wife beating removed from judiciary

2-Nov-2011

A deputy High Court judge who beat his wife because she made him wait for his dinner has been removed from his post.
Trio of firms benefit from final BLG exodus on day of Clydes merger

1-Nov-2011

Edwards Wildman, Hogan Lovells and SNR Denton have all hired partners from Barlow Lyde & Gilbert (BLG) as the firm today merges with Clyde & Co.
Addleshaws to spearhead client billing revolution

31 October 2011

Government funds project to bring pricing arrangements up to date
Can Angel repeat his Links success at DLA Piper?

31 October 2011

News that former Linklaters chief Tony Angel is set to join DLA Piper as senior partner sent shockwaves through the market when it was revealed on TheLawyer.com last week (26 October).
Eversheds man’s work-life balance

31 October 2011

Eversheds’ Chrxistmas party will have a circus theme this year. Sidestepping the obvious jokes about certain partners being clowns anyway, for one employee at the firm the big top surroundings really will be a familiar sight.
BLP picks up BLG environment head

28-Oct-2011

Berwin Leighton Paisner’s (BLP) planning and environment team is set to receive a boost as the firm scoops a Barlow Lyde & Gilbert (BLG) department head.
DLA Piper buys stake in ABS-in-waiting LawVest

28-Oct-2011

DLA Piper has become a minority stakeholder in LawVest, a holding company that aims to launch into the alternative business structure (ABS) market next year.
Dentons faces $3.5m professional negligence claim in DIFC courts

27-Oct-2011

SNR Denton legacy firm Denton Wilde Sapte is being sued by a former client for around $3.5m in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) courts.
A&O takes lead role as DTZ seeks buyer

27-Oct-2011

Allen & Overy (A&O) is advising property services group DTZ as the company puts itself on the market following a failed takeover bid.
Fasken adds DMH Stallard's City corporate head to London team

26-Oct-2011

Canada-headquartered Fasken Martineau has hired DMH Stallard’s London corporate head.
SJ Berwin bolsters Frankfurt tax practice as ex-partner rejoins

24-Oct-2011

SJ Berwin Germany has re-hired a partner who left the firm three years ago to establish his own tax boutique.
A&O dispatches top man to Hong Kong to shore up energy practice

24 October 2011

Allen & Overy (A&O) is sending a senior oil and gas partner to Hong Kong in a bid to boost the firm’s Asia Pacific energy practice.
BLP’s loss of Colt brief is GTM’s gain

24 October 2011

Colt Technology Services has signed up Greenberg Traurig Maher (GTM) to take care of its employment law needs after a similar deal with Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) fell through.
Freshfields, Gibson Dunn, RPC work on Zoopla-A&N merger

24 October 2011

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Gibson Dunn & Crutcher and Reynolds Porter Chamberlain (RPC) all landed roles on a merger agreement that is aimed at challenging the dominance of online search engine Rightmove in the online property sector.
Osborne Clarke bags Taylor Wessing duo

24 October 2011

Osborne Clarke has continued its push in financial services with a double partner hire from Taylor Wessing.
RBS dumps Herbies for Links on Highland case

24 October 2011

Herbert Smith’s litigation team has been kicked off a $100m (£66m) dispute for RBS, with the bank turning to traditional counsel Linklaters mid-way through the action.
SNR Denton and DLA Piper to bulk up Kuwait offices in face of partner exits

24 October 2011

DLA Piper and SNR Denton, the only two international firms with offices in Kuwait, are looking to bulk up in the country following the loss of key partners.
Wragges client seals shopping centre deal

24 October 2011

Wragge & Co’s shopping centres team has advised new developer Queensberry Real Estate on its successful bid to build a £110m, 390,000 sq ft shopping centre at John Frost Square in Newport’s city centre.
GTM to provide all Colt's employment advice after BLP deal falters

21-Oct-2011

Colt Technology Services has signed up Greenberg Traurig Maher (GTM) as its sole employment-law advisor a year after a similar deal with Berwin Leighton Paisner’s (BLP) Managed Legal Service arm collapsed.
Courts should ditch 'absurd' paper-based systems, say Neuberger and Vos

20-Oct-2011

Britain’s leading judges are calling for an electronic revolution in the courts, arguing that enhanced use of technology would solidify London’s High Court as one of the best in the world.
A&O tops up Washington DC practice with O'Melveny partner

19-Oct-2011

Allen & Overy (A&O) has once again turned to O’Melveny & Myers as it expands its Washington DC practice.
Pinsent Masons partner joins Squire Sanders Hammonds as outsourcing head

18-Oct-2011

Squire Sanders Hammonds has hired an IT and outsourcing specialist from Pinsent Masons to head its global outsourcing team.
Freshfields names Kleiman as new Paris chief

18-Oct-2011

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has appointed a new Paris managing partner, replacing Antoine Colonna d’Istria who steps down after four years in the role.
Cleary hires ex-Competition Commission chief for London push

18-Oct-2011

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton has hired the former chairman of the UK’s Competition Commission as a senior consultant in its London office.
A&O aids Capstone on Bristol Water buy

17 October 2011

Allen & Overy (A&O) has helped Canada-listed company Capstone Infrastructure Corporation acquire a majority stake in Bristol Water.
BLP called in to redraft £15bn RMBS transaction documents

17 October 2011

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has acted for the issuers of 16 residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) worth £15bn, redrafting transaction documents in light of changes to the Direct Debit Scheme rules.
Dundas dumps all-equity partnership

17 October 2011

Dundas & Wilson has dropped its all-equity model and introduced a fixed-share tier into its partnership.
Landlord’s Gaddafi link stalls BLG’s office switch

17 October 2011

An investment company linked to fallen Libyan dictator Colonel Gaddafi could dash Barlow Lyde & Gilbert’s (BLG) hopes of moving into merger partner Clyde & Co’s London offices soon after the deal goes through.
Norton Rose helps Eni UK on £513m oil acquisition

17 October 2011

Norton Rose advised Eni UK on its €590m (£512.7m) acquisition of GDF Suez’s stake in Elgin Franklin Oil & Gas Limited (EFOG).
Eversheds launches on-demand service dubbed Eversheds Agile

14-Oct-2011

Eversheds is piloting a service similar to Berwin Leighton Paisner’s (BLP) Lawyers on Demand, creating a pool of lawyers that the firm will second to clients for temporary assignments.
Clifford Chance adds Latham associate to high yield partnership

13-Oct-2011

Clifford Chance has turned to Latham & Watkins for the latest addition to its high yield practice.
SJ Berwin adds to structured finance team with Sidley hire

13-Oct-2011

SJ Berwin has expanded its finance team with a hire from Sidley Austin.
Holman Fenwick to gain São Paulo base with BLG joiners

12-Oct-2011

Holman Fenwick Willan has been gifted a foothold in South America following its acquisition of an eight-strong team of partners from Barlow Lyde & Gilbert (BLG).
Freeth Cartwright unveils plans for post-LSA Birmingham growth

12-Oct-2011

Freeth Cartwright’s Birmingham practice is set to move into a space three times larger than its current office as the firm continues to expand in response to the Legal Services Act.
Goodwin hires Ashurst partner duo for City push

11-Oct-2011

Goodwin Procter has hired two partners from Ashurst in London, one of whom will join the US firm as London office chair.
SNR Denton adds restructuring partner from Dickie Dees

11-Oct-2011

SNR Denton has hired a restructuring partner from Dickinson Dees as the firm continues to scour the market for senior lawyers.
BLP teams with Vedder Price on ELFC aircraft engine acquisition

10 October 2011

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) and US firm Vedder Price were the two main legal advisors on Engine Lease Finance Corporation’s (ELFC) acquisition of 47 aircraft engines from Macquarie Bank Limited.
DLA Piper grows Singapore with Norton Rose hire

6-Oct-2011

DLA Piper has hired a special counsel from Norton Rose to lead its restructuring and distressed investment team in Asia.
Watson Farley turns to SNR Denton for planning launch

6-Oct-2011

Watson Farley & Williams is set to launch a planning practice in London after hiring a lawyer from SNR Denton.
Eversheds offers alternative to partner with director role

6-Oct-2011

Eversheds is introducing the role of legal director at the firm, as an alternative career path to partnership.
Enyo Law raids Reed Smith for credit-crunch litigator

5-Oct-2011

Litigation boutique Enyo Law has hired a commercial litigation partner from Reed Smith.
Dundas parts company with infrastructure co-head

5-Oct-2011

Dundas & Wilson’s co-head of infrastructure Andrew Renton has left the firm.
DLA Piper beefs up City finance team with Deutsche hire

5-Oct-2011

DLA Piper has bolstered its London finance group with a hire from Deutsche Bank.
Watson Farley taps BLP for asset finance duo

5-Oct-2011

Watson Farley & Williams has hired two asset finance lawyers from Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) in a bid to boost its core practice.
A&O snares Herbies' capital markets head in two-partner raid

4-Oct-2011

Allen & Overy (A&O) is set to hire two capital markets partners from Herbert Smith, marking the magic-circle firm’s second raid on the litigation giant this year.
Baker & McKenzie king of the global legal brands - but magic circle closes the gap

4-Oct-2011

Baker & McKenzie has topped a table of leading international law firm brands for the third year running, but the rest of the top ten is rapidly catching up.
Norton Rose explores second Canadian merger

4-Oct-2011

Norton Rose is in merger talks with Calgary firm Macleod Dixon, just four months after merging with Canada’s Ogilvy Renault.
Eversheds adds FSA lawyer to London disputes team

3-Oct-2011

Eversheds has hired a lawyer from the Financial Services Authority (FSA) to join its financial services dispute resolution team in London.
DLA bulks up Dubai arbitration group with Norton Rose hire

3-Oct-2011

DLA Piper has hired a Norton Rose arbitration of counsel into its Dubai partnership
BLP nabs Ashurst construction boss

3 October 2011

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has hired Ashurst’s non-contentious construction head to lead its engineering, construction and procurement group.
Eversheds manager on rough road to glory

3 October 2011

What were you doing when you were three years old? Trying to shove square bricks into round holes? Drawing on walls? At three, Eversheds’ business support manager Nichola Anderson was already riding BMX bikes. And at seven she was British champion.
Eversheds nets Romanian firm with Russia on radar

3 October 2011

Eversheds is set to link up with Romanian firm Lina & Guia as the former continues to mull a move into Russia.
Hill Dickinson blames NHS cutbacks for redundancies

3 October 2011

Hill Dickinson has cited government spending cuts affecting the NHS as the reason for making two fee-earners and five secretaries redundant in its health team.
Pinsents adds BLP partner to banking team

30-Sep-2011

Pinsent Masons has given its banking and restructuring team a boost with a partner from Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP).
Jones Day joins magic circle on SAV sell-off

30-Sep-2011

Allen & Overy (A&O), Clifford Chance, Jones Day and Slaughter and May all acted on the £472m sale of credit card provider SAV Credit Limited (SAV) to Värde Partners.
Former DLA partner turns to Herbies on gardening leave dispute

30-Sep-2011

Herbert Smith is acting for DLA Piper’s former global co-head of litigation and regulatory Neil Gerrard in a dispute with his former firm over the terms of his departure.
Norton Rose puts partner performance at centre of lockstep review

29-Sep-2011

Norton Rose has revamped its lockstep to put an increased emphasis on individual partner performance.
Ashurst turns to Norton Rose for Munich hire

28-Sep-2011

Ashurst has hired a corporate partner from Norton Rose in Munich.
DLA bulks up in financial litigation with triple hire from LG

28-Sep-2011

DLA Piper has hired a team of three financial litigation partners in London from LG.
Addleshaws' Singapore plans stall as launch partner defects to BLP

27-Sep-2011

Addleshaw Goddard has lost the litigation partner who was preparing to launch its Singapore office to Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP).
Real estate

The UK200 2011

With investors only really interested in the top-end properties, events both at home and abroad have kept the real estate sector in check.
Allen & Overy turns its back on Canada

26 September 2011

Allen & Overy (A&O) has put a Canada launch on the back-burner. Partners rejected the Canada proposals in favour of focusing on Australia.
Nabarro guides Great Portland on purchase of Royal Mail site

26 September 2011

Nabarro has become Great Portland Estates’ go-to firm as the developer continues to snap up prime central London real estate.
Reasonable clout: why Dundas needs Bircham

26 September 2011

It was fast becoming one of the worst-kept secrets in the legal market. For months rumours had been circulating that Scottish heavyweight Dundas & Wilson and Westminster firm Bircham Dyson Bell were in merger talks, yet both sides continued to be economical with the truth, repeatedly dismissing the stories as nonsense.
Jones Day adds to City team with hires from Simmons and Addleshaws

22-Sep-2011

Jones Day has added to its energy and financial institutions practices with partner hires from Addleshaw Goddard and Simmons & Simmons.
Dundas and Bircham unveil proposed merger

20-Sep-2011

Edinburgh-headquartered Dundas & Wilson looks set to attain its goal of bulking up in London after launching official merger talks with London firm Bircham Dyson Bell.
BLP launches in Berlin and Frankfurt with Linklaters raid

19-Sep-2011

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) is launching offices in Berlin and Frankfurt after poaching a team of lawyers from Linklaters.
Addleshaws focuses on billing innovation

19 September 2011

Addleshaw Goddard has put pricing strategy at the top of its agenda by creating the role of commercial director to spearhead the firm’s push to develop new ways of billing clients.
BLP, LG, Macfarlanes, Wedlake Bell act on sale of Pinsents’ high-rise HQ

19 September 2011

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP), LG, Macfarlanes and Wedlake Bell have all landed roles on the £139m sale of prime-location skyscraper 30 Crown Place - the site of Pinsent Masons’ London headquarters.
Eversheds digs in on L&G student property deal

19 September 2011

Eversheds has acted for Legal & General Property (L&G Property) on its £116m purchase of Battersea-based student accommodation Griffon Studios from Berkeley First and Imperial College London, which were advised by Ashurst.
Freeth Cartwright to merge with Kimbells

16-Sep-2011

Midlands firm Freeth Cartwright is set to take over seven-partner Milton Keynes firm Kimbells on 1 November.
McGrigors moots cuts in maternity and sick benefits

15-Sep-2011

A storm is brewing at McGrigors over proposed changes to the firm’s maternity leave package.
A&O and Eversheds join Cameron's Russia delegation

12-Sep-2011

Allen & Overy senior partner David Morley and Eversheds managing partner Lee Ranson have joined Prime Minister David Cameron on his visit to Russia.
Pinsents votes for Bristol closure

9-Sep-2011

Pinsent Masons will close its Bristol office, offering the 11 lawyers there relocation and working closely with support staff to “assess alternative options”.
DLA builds real estate with Ashurst's Cookson

9-Sep-2011

DLA Piper has hired a partner from Ashurst to head its London real estate group.
Macfarlanes boosts real estate with hire of Shearman's Nisse

9-Sep-2011

Macfarlanes has hired Shearman & Sterling partner Ian Nisse to head its commercial real estate practice.
BLP ups performance element in partner remuneration

24-Aug-2011

Berwin Leighton Paisner’s (BLP) equity partners will have to work harder for their pay following the firm’s decision to put more emphasis on performance when distributing profits.
Ilford firm Edwards Duthie advises Gaddafi regime on UK asset freezing

19-Aug-2011

Colonel Gaddafi’s regime, the Great Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, has instructed Ilford firm Edwards Duthie to help it regain control of Libya’s embassy and frozen assets in the UK.
Former Halliwells partners turn to Irwin Mitchell to fight BDO claims

15-Aug-2011

A group of 14 ex-Halliwells partners have joined forces to instruct Irwin Mitchell partner Chris Jones to fight claims made against them by the failed firm’s administrators at BDO.
A&O hires Simmons partner for Qatar team

15-Aug-2011

Allen & Overy (A&O) has boosted its Middle East finance practice with the hire of Simmons & Simmons partner Samer Eido.
BLG pays up after falling into arrears with Halliwells' administrators

15-Aug-2011

Barlow Lyde & Gilbert (BLG) has repaid more than £232,000 to failed firm Halliwells’ administrators after initially withholding the sum, which was owed as part of BLG’s 2010 purchase of Halliwells’ insurance practice.
Ince ups shipping focus with Monaco launch

11-Aug-2011

Ince & Co has launched an office in Monaco focusing on shipping and energy.
Hill Dicks adds DLA partner to Sheffield practice

10-Aug-2011

Hill Dickinson has hired DLA Piper partner Tim Littler for its Sheffield banking and finance team.
Herbies disputes group ups pressure for New York base

8 August 2011

Litigators fear practice is falling behind after series of departures to international players
Ashurst, Freshfields and Hogan Lovells lead on £2.4bn sale of Northumbrian Water

2-Aug-2011

Ashurst, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Hogan Lovells were all acting on Northumbrian Water’s £2.4bn cash sale to a Hong Kong consortium controlled by billionaire Li Ka-Shing.
Pannone sees profits fall after year of restructuring

1-Aug-2011

Pannone’s average profit per equity partner (PEP) fell 9.5 per cent in the 2010-11 financial year with the firm blaming restructuring costs for the drop.
Ashurst, Dickson Minto, Weil secure £579m ERM purchase

1 August 2011

Ashurst, Dickson Minto and Weil Gotshal & Manges all landed roles on Charterhouse Capital Partners’ $950m (£579m) acquisition of Environmental Resources Management (ERM) from Bridgepoint Capital.
Dechert, DLA Piper sign off Moonpig takeover deal

1 August 2011

Dechert and DLA Piper were the lead firms advising on PhotoBox’s £120m purchase of online cards retailer Moonpig.com.
Kennedys partner sacked as police probe alleged £1m theft

1 August 2011

A partner at Kennedys has been dismissed from the firm and is facing a police investigation following allegations that he stole close to £1m from a client.
Medicine man

1 August 2011

Simon Rajgopaul is the sole cure for all the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s legal ills.
Specialist firms break with tradition to take on banks

1 August 2011

Upstarts step out of the ’conflict shadows’ to boldly go where the magic circle fears to tread
DWF enters Brum market with Shoosmiths hire

28-Jul-2011

DWF is launching an office in Birmingham with Shoosmiths’ head of asset finance.
BLP partner launches phone-hacking claim against NoW

26-Jul-2011

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) litigation partner Graham Shear has become embroiled in the News of the World (NoW) phone-hacking scandal, lodging a breach of privacy claim against the defunct paper’s publishers.
A&O reels in Gide trio for new Casablanca outpost

25 July 2011

Allen & Overy (A&O) has become the first of the magic circle firms to announce its intention to open an office in Africa, with the firm scheduling a Morocco launch for the autumn.
A&O takes Westbrook through refinancing of Shell-Mex House

25 July 2011

Allen & Overy (A&O) has advised private equity group Westbrook Partners on the £338m refinancing of what is thought to be one of the most expensive properties ever bought in the UK.
Addleshaws takes axe to back office

25 July 2011

Addleshaw Goddard has made 31 business services staff redundant following a 30-day consultation. The move followed the announcement that net profit at the firm had dropped by 17 per cent for the 2010-11 financial year.
DLA Piper moves to replenish Aussie offices after Phillips Fox merger fallout

25 July 2011

DLA Piper has begun rebuilding its Brisbane office after it suffered departures in the run-up to the firm’s merger with DLA Phillips Fox, taking on two partners and their support teams from Australian firm Dibbs Barker.
Australia's Mallesons moots tie-up with China's King & Wood

21-Jul-2011

Australian firm Mallesons Stephen Jaques has entered into tie-up talks with one of China’s largest commercial law firms, King & Wood.
Harbottle given all clear to discuss News International role

21-Jul-2011

Harbottle & Lewis has been given the all clear by News International (NI) to talk to authorities about its remit in the 2007 investigation of phone hacking at News of the World (NoW).
A&O to launch Casablanca office with three Gide partners

20-Jul-2011

Allen & Overy (A&O) is set to become the first magic circle firm to open an office in Africa, with a Casablanca launch scheduled for September.
Egorov and Magisters merge to create CIS giant

19-Jul-2011

One of Russia’s largest law firms, Egorov Puginsky Afanasiev & Partners, is set to merge with Ukraine outlier Magisters.
DLA Piper starts to rebuild Brisbane with Dibbs Barker hires

19-Jul-2011

DLA Piper has begun rebuilding its Brisbane office, taking two partners and their legal support teams from Australian firm Dibbs Barker.
Kingsley Napley partner advises Rebekah Brooks after phone-hacking arrest

18 July 2011

Kingsley Napley partner Stephen Parkinson has been instructed by former News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks following her arrest in the wake of the phone-hacking scandal.
Payne Hicks keeps Team GB sailors buoyant

18 July 2011

If all you want out of the London 2012 Olympics is to see Great Britain win a gold, then a good bet would be to keep an eye on the sailing.
Pinsents bags solo role on broadband project

18 July 2011

Pinsent Masons has won the role to act as sole legal adviser on the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s (DCMS) £530m project to deliver super-fast broadband across the UK.
Royal Pharmaceutical Society invites tenders for first panel

18 July 2011

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) is looking to put together its first legal panel, with the move coming shortly after the arrival of its first general counsel.
A&O partner resigns after arrest on child porn charges

15-Jul-2011

An Allen & Overy (A&O) New York partner has resigned from the firm after being arrested and charged with distributing child pornography.
Eversheds beefs up employment team with Bircham hire

15-Jul-2011

Eversheds has hired a strike injunction specialist from Bircham Dyson Bell to head its industrial relations practice.
A&O's Morley set for two-month stint in Asia and Middle East

14-Jul-2011

Allen & Overy (A&O) senior partner David Morley is to spend two months touring the firm’s Asia and Middle East offices, starting in Singapore.
SJ Berwin's competition head ditches Milbank defection plans

14-Jul-2011

SJ Berwin has persuaded its EU and competition head Stephen Kon to stay at the firm after he handed in his resignation last month to join Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy.
LG reports drops in turnover and PEP for 2010-11

14-Jul-2011

LG’s turnover dropped 9 per cent in the 2010-11 financial year while average profit per equity partner (PEP) fell by 10 per cent over the same period.
A&O: 'We were not acting for Gordon Brown'

12-Jul-2011

Allen & Overy (A&O) has issued a denial that it has ever worked for Gordon Brown or held personal files containing information on the former Prime Minister, following the latest development in the phone hacking saga.
Harbottle & Lewis dragged into News International phone hacking row

12-Jul-2011

Emails sent to Harbottle & Lewis as part of News International’s (NI) 2007 enquiry into phone hacking at the News of the World have been retrieved from the firm as part of a fresh investigation and are reported to point to further illegal activity at the paper.
Eversheds guides pioneering £3bn private housing vehicle

11 July 2011

Eversheds is the sole legal adviser behind UK Regeneration’s innovative £3bn Barclays Capital-backed fund, designed to invest in private rented housing.
Former Wragges chief joins IT boutique

11 July 2011

Former Wragge & Co senior partner John Crabtree has joined niche corporate and technology firm White & Black as chairman.
Mishcon, Reed Smith scoop Reuben Bros Piccadilly buy

11 July 2011

Mishcon de Reya and Reed Smith both won roles on the Reuben Brothers’ £130m purchase of the historic Piccadilly Estate from receivers Allsop.
Salaried partners asked to buy into SNR Denton

11 July 2011

Non-equity partners in SNR Denton’s UK LLP are in the process of contributing between £10,000 and £20,000 to the firm following the September 2010 merger between legacy firms Denton Wilde Sapte and Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal.
Hill Dicks lays off secretaries in corporate and shipping

7-Jul-2011

Hill Dickinson has made five secretaries redundant across its London corporate and shipping departments.
Simmons posts drops in turnover and PEP after 'challenging' year

7-Jul-2011

Simmons & Simmons has seen both turnover and average profit per equity partner (PEP) dip for the second year running, as the firm reveals its 2010-11 year-end figures.
Wragges posts 28 per cent profit hike for 2010-11

6-Jul-2011

Wragge & Co’s net profit rose by almost 28 per cent to £38.8m in the 2010-11 financial year, while average profit per equity partner (PEP) jumped 18 per cent to £325,000.
A&O beats budget with rises in turnover and profits

6-Jul-2011

Allen & Overy (A&O) has posted a 7 per cent rise in revenue and an 8 per cent hike in net profit for the 2010-11 financial year.
Dundas marks return to form as revenues and profits stabilise

4-Jul-2011

Scotland’s second largest firm by turnover, Dundas & Wilson, has grown by just 2 per cent over the past financial year, with revenue at £62m.
Eversheds, Simmons forgo NI outsourcing initiatives

27 June 2011

Eversheds and Simmons & Simmons have both dismissed plans to open offices in Northern Ireland following talks with development agency Invest Northern Ireland (NI).
Freshfields to get new London boss

27 June 2011

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer London corporate head Mark Rawlinson is set to replace Tim Jones as head of the firm’s London office.
How top associates are closing in on partners

27 June 2011

There are many routes to success for assistant solicitors as they take ever more prominent roles, says James Swift
Mills & Reeve takes Ubisense Group through its Aim debut

27 June 2011

Mills & Reeve has advised technology company Ubisense Group on its oversubscribed Aim listing after winning the client last year in a competitive tender against City rivals.
Rebuilders’ mate

27 June 2011

World events have more than a passing interest for Emanuel Maurice, general counsel at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, as they can directly affect his workload.
Addleshaws appoints four partners to unitary board

22-Jun-2011

Addleshaw Goddard has appointed four partners to its new unitary board as the firm looks to pick itself up after a “disappointing” financial performance.
BDO demands return of cash from ex-Halliwells partners

20 June 2011

Former equity partners consider rebuffing administrators; those at Gateley to opt for mediation
Blackstone junior has his way with words

20 June 2011

When eminent jurist Sir William Blackstone abandoned reading Classics at Oxford to study at Middle Temple, he wrote a poem lamenting his decision to forsake his passion for verse to pursue a career in law.
Daimler legal team opposes new panel

20 June 2011

Car manufacturer Daimler’s first-ever panel search has sparked discontent from within the company’s ranks. Law firms have been invited to pitch for places to undertake work across the UK, Continental Europe and US.
DLA nudges up international LLP’s turnover

20 June 2011

DLA Piper’s international LLP, which excludes the US arm of the business, posted a turnover of $935m (£580m) for the 2010 calendar year, 0.2 per cent up on the previous year’s figure of $933m.
Eversheds lines up with Davis & Co for Crown Paints sell-off

20 June 2011

Eversheds and Davis & Co both won roles on the sale of the Queen’s paint maker, Crown Paints, by private equity house Endless to paint supplier Hempel.
Hogan Lovells to jump on Aussie bandwagon

20 June 2011

Hogan Lovells is the latest firm to set its sights on an Australian launch, confirming that it has held “informal meetings” with firms in the region.
Former Halliwells partners to repay £20.4m Spinningfields windfall

17-Jun-2011

Halliwells’ administrator BDO is calling on former partners to repay the cash they pocketed in a reverse premium deal with the failed firm’s Manchester landlord.
BLP hires Linklaters lawyer for Hong Kong launch

17-Jun-2011

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) is set to launch an office in Hong Kong with a counsel from Linklaters, as the firm eyes mainland China next.
A&O faces fresh claim from erotic-fiction-writing former associate

16-Jun-2011

A former Allen & Overy (A&O) associate who was sacked after refusing to stop publishing an online erotic novel is suing the firm for $35m in New York following a failed unfair dismissal and sexual discrimination claim in London.
LG appointed as foreign counsel to Ukraine's Naftogaz

16-Jun-2011

LG has won a bid to become foreign legal advisor to Naftogaz, Ukraine’s state-owned oil and gas company.
SNR Denton hires IMF assistant GC in regulatory boost

15-Jun-2011

SNR Denton has hired the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) assistant general counsel to bolster its public policy and regulation group.
Former Brobeck chairman Snow settles on Cooley

14-Jun-2011

Cooley has hired Tower Snow, the US securities specialist and former Brobeck chairman who spearheaded Clifford Chance’s ill-fated West Coast expansion.
Eversheds turnover stalls as profit inches up

13-Jun-2011

Profit is up but turnover is static at Eversheds, with revenue stuck at £355m for the 2010/11 financial year.
DLA Piper posts 1 per cent rise for global revenue

13-Jun-2011

DLA Piper posted a 1 per cent increase in global turnover for the 2010 calendar year, with revenue at $1.96bn (£1.27bn). Total profit was up 5.9 per cent at $777.8m £503m).
DLA Piper and BLP act on final White Tower sale

13 June 2011

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) and DLA Piper landed roles on the sale of the last property in the White Tower portfolio, Aviva Tower, to an unnamed purchaser for £288m.
Firestone boss runs Moscow practice from London as partner death probed

13 June 2011

The managing partner of a US law firm in Russia is being forced to run his firm from London after continuing to speak out against the authorities he believes are responsible for his former partner’s death.
Freshfields freshens up Asia operations

13 June 2011

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is shaking up its Asia management team, as the former US managing partner relocates to Hong Kong to add firepower to the capital markets practice.
Lex Caribbean

13 June 2011

Lex Caribbean was launched in 1997 in Barbados, but it is only since 1 July 2000, when the firm merged with Trinidad and Tobago’s De Nobriga Inniss & Co, that it really hit its stride.
Lex Caribbean

13 June 2011

Lex Caribbean was launched in 1997 in Barbados, but it is only since 1 July 2000, when the firm merged with Trinidad and Tobago’s De Nobriga Inniss & Co, that it really hit its stride.
Reed Smith has its eye on Shanghai

13 June 2011

Reed Smith is set to give its international practice a boost by opening a Shanghai office, as the firm eyes further opportunities in Europe and other parts of Asia.
Skadden banking counsel set for September switch to BLP

13 June 2011

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has given its growing banking and capital markets team a lift with a hire from Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom.
Freshfields revamps Asia management team

9-Jun-2011

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has shaken up its Asia management team as the firm’s former US managing partner relocates to Hong Kong to add firepower to the capital markets practice.
Eversheds continues Europe expansion with Hamburg launch

9-Jun-2011

Eversheds is expanding into Hamburg with a base in the city set to open in the autumn.
Vinson names new Middle East head as incumbent moves to City

8-Jun-2011

Vinson & Elkins has appointed a new Middle East managing partner to succeed Lewis Jones.
Turnover and PEP up at Watson Farley

8-Jun-2011

Watson Farley & Williams saw turnover grow by 11 per cent over the 2010-11 financial year with average profit per equity partner (PEP) rising by 2.2 per cent.
CC and Nabarro deal with Sportingbet Oz acquisition

6 June 2011

Clifford Chance and Nabarro have taken lead roles on Sportingbet’s bond issue and subsequent acquisition of Australian betting company Centrebet.
Addleshaws partner resigns amid expenses saga

30 May 2011

Addleshaw Goddard is working with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) over alleged discrepancies in the expenses and disbursements of a former partner.
EMW, Eversheds drive Jardine’s Wayside buy

30 May 2011

EMW and Eversheds have both landed roles on Jardine Motors Group’s acquisition of car dealership Wayside Group.
Focus: SNR Denton: We shall overcome

30 May 2011

Shocking financials have blighted SNR Denton’s first year as a combined entity. Chief executive Matthew Jones explains his plan for turning the firm’s fortunes around
SNR Denton nurtures Mid East-Africa focus

30 May 2011

SNR Denton has transferred London-based Africa specialist Paul Bugingo to Dubai as it aims to give its Africa practice a Middle East-Africa rather than London-Africa focus.
BLP sees PEP rocket 56 per cent to £712,000

27-May-2011

Berwin Leighton Paisner has seen average profit per equity partner (PEP) rise 56 per cent in the past financial year on the back of a turnover rise of 20 per cent.
Eversheds cuts 75 jobs as Accenture deal goes live

26-May-2011

Eversheds has confirmed that 75 support staff jobs will be cut as a result of its outsourcing deal with Accenture.
Simmons confirms hire of five-partner BLP team

26-May-2011

Simmons & Simmons has confirmed that it has hired a five-partner finance team from Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP).
Halliwells buyout helps Gateley post 19 per cent turnover rise

25-May-2011

Gateley has posted an 18.7 per cent increase in turnover for the 2010-11 financial year and made up two new partners in its annual round of promotions.
Eversheds ups Middle East focus with KSLG merger

25-May-2011

Eversheds has merged with Middle East law consortium KSLG, trebling its size in the region.
Addleshaws to cut 40 jobs after 17 per cent profit drop

24-May-2011

Addleshaw Goddard has begun a redundancy consultation among its support staff at the end of a financial year that saw net profit drop by 17 per cent.
Simmons bolsters finance group with BLP hires

24-May-2011

Simmons & Simmons is set to give its finance department a major boost with a group of partners and former partners from Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP).
Promoted Hammerson GC launches first legal panel

23-May-2011

Hammerson general counsel Sarah Booth is putting together the company’s first formal panel of external legal advisers, with firms currently tendering for places.
A&O defector ends Clayton Utz quarrel

23 May 2011

A dispute between Australian firm Clayton Utz and former partner Grant Fuzi, who defected to Allen & Overy (A&O) in February 2010, was settled after Fuzi returned his retirement payment as a goodwill gesture, The Lawyer can reveal.
A&O wins role on formation of Govt’s Business Growth Fund

23 May 2011

Allen & Overy (A&O) advised the group of banks behind the creation of the Coalition’s £2.5bn Business Growth Fund (BGF).
Brabners and Reed Smith scoop wind turbine work

23 May 2011

Brabners Chaffe Street and Reed Smith both helped wind turbine manufacturer Vestas secure an option to take a lease on a 70-hectare site at the Port of Sheerness in Kent.
Ex-Dorsey partner joins Mishcon after insider dealing acquittal

23 May 2011

Former Dorsey & Whitney partner Andrew Rimmington, whose trial for insider dealing collapsed in 2010, has joined Mishcon de Reya as one of two partner hires intended to give the firm’s corporate team a boost.
Regional rebellion blocks Addleshaws equity rejig

23 May 2011

Backlash as partners baulk at uncertainty of proposed system
DLA boosts NY restructuring group with Skadden hire

17-May-2011

DLA Piper has given its New York restructuring group a boost with the hire of a partner from Skadden Arps Slate Meager & Flom.
Covington & Burling swoops for MoFo City quartet

16-May-2011

US firm Covington & Burling has added a life sciences corporate team to its London office, after taking a team of four partners from Morrison & Foerster (MoFo).
Reed Smith turns to SNR Denton for London energy hire

16-May-2011

Reed Smith has continued to expand its London energy and natural resources practice with a hire from SNR Denton.
DLA boosts Madrid with Roca Junyent hires

16-May-2011

DLA Piper Madrid has hired a restructuring team from independent Spanish firm Roca Junyent.
Pinsents posts £213m turnover for 2010-11

16-May-2011

Pinsent Masons’ revenue has risen 3 per cent over the past financial year, with the firm posting turnover for the 12-month period of £213m.
A&O approves German expansion plans as part of worldwide growth strategy

16 May 2011

Allen & Overy (A&O) Germany has been given the green light by global management to expand aggressively, following a two-month tour of its offices by worldwide senior partner David Morley.
A&O, Links set the tone with associate pay freeze

16 May 2011

Associates hoping for bumper pay rises will be left disappointed if rival firms do as expected and follow the lead of Allen & Overy (A&O) and Linklaters.
Addleshaws names new corporate chief

16 May 2011

Addleshaw Goddard has appointed partner Philip Goodstone as divisional managing partner in charge of the firm’s corporate group.
Eversheds swaps Lupicinio for Nicea

16 May 2011

Eversheds is set to tie up with Spanish firm Nicea Abogados following its split from alliance partner Eversheds Lupicinio.
Herbies mulls Australia to jump-start global plan

16 May 2011

Firm yet to decide on launch or merger as it follows UK rivals
Hill Dickinson growth inspires structural shift

16 May 2011

Hill Dickinson has scrapped its management board and revamped its business structure.
Mishcon, DLA Piper seal London Gate deal

16 May 2011

DLA Piper and Mishcon de Reya both landed roles on PPP developer Cathedral Group and property developer Development Securities’s joint acquisition of London Gate business park in Hayes, Middlesex.
Hunton loses two more London partners as Chadbourne swoops

13-May-2011

Chadbourne & Parke has boosted its corporate and energy practices in London with hires from Hunton & Williams and Clifford Chance.
Links and Skadden lead as BP-Rosneft arbitration concludes

12-May-2011

Linklaters and Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom both had roles in the arbitration between BP and Alfa-Access-Renova (AAR), the Russian oligarch consortium behind joint venture TNK-BP.
BLP turns to Mayer Brown for latest financial services hire

12-May-2011

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has hired Mayer Brown partner Nick Kynoch in a bid to boost its financial services practice.
A&O refreezes associate salaries after tricky trading year

11-May-2011

Allen & Overy (A&O) is freezing associate salary bands following a sluggish financial year.
Irwin Mitchell continues to build property team with LG hire

10-May-2011

Irwin Mitchell has hired former LG partner Sue Wilson as a property litigation consultant, as the firm continues to expand its property practice in London.
Wragges returns to growth as turnover jumps 16 per cent

10-May-2011

Wragge & Co has posted a 16 per cent rise in turnover for the 2010-11 financial year, growing from £96.2m to £112m.
Dickie Dees welcomes two to partnership in promos round

10-May-2011

Dickinson Dees has promoted two lawyers to partner and eight to director in its annual round of promotions.
DLA loses bulk of Canberra partners in wake of Aussie merger

10-May-2011

Six of DLA Piper’s eight Canberra partners have left the firm just weeks after the firm’s Australian arm merged with the international LLP.
Axed Halliwells lawyer’s Gateley action founders

9 May 2011

A former Halliwells property lawyer who was made redundant from the firm while she was in the middle of a three-day labour has failed in her action to recover £66,000 from HBJ Gateley Wareing (now Gateley).
Past is ever-present for BLP man

9 May 2011

Law firms are forever looking for ways to entertain and impress clients.
DWF aims to conquer Newcastle as it hires Dickinson Dees' Flynn

6-May-2011

DWF is set to launch a full-service practice in Newcastle, following the hire of partner John Flynn from Dickinson Dees.
Manchester's JMW makes Pinsents, Nexus hires

6-May-2011

Manchester firm JMW has boosted its corporate and employment teams after hiring partners from Pinsent Masons and Nexus.
Ashurst to restock US securities group with two ex-Linklaters lawyers

6-May-2011

Ashurst has re-staffed its US securities team following last month’s exit of a trio of partners with the hire of two former Linklaters partners.
A&O confirms up to 155 London layoffs ahead of Belfast launch

5-May-2011

Allen & Overy (A&O) has entered into redundancy talks with 155 London support staff ahead of the launch later this year of the firm’s support services centre in Belfast.
Simmons ramps up in Saudi via alliance as firm beefs up with promos

5-May-2011

Simmons & Simmons has formed an alliance with Saudi Arabia firm Hammad Al-Mehdar & Co. The news coincides with six new partners in London as part of Simmons’ 13-strong annual promotions round.
DLA Piper US associate bonus scheme sparks discontent

5-May-2011

DLA Piper’s US associate bonus scheme has been criticised following an internal memo that claimed top performers were getting more than at competitor firms.
DLA Piper swoops for Sacramento litigation boutique

4-May-2011

DLA Piper has almost doubled the size of its Sacramento office after absorbing litigation boutique Stevens O’Connnell & Jacobs.
DLA Phillips Fox in divorce from New Zealand arm

3-May-2011

DLA Phillips Fox in New Zealand is separating from its Australian counterpart, which fully merged with DLA Piper on 1 May.
Addleshaws hikes transaction services

2 May 2011

Addleshaw Goddard’s transaction services team (TST) has grown almost eightfold since it was piloted in November 2010.
CC, Freshfields picked for Metrovacesa restructure

2 May 2011

Clifford Chance and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer have landed roles on Spanish real estate group Metrovacesa’s e5bn (£4.4bn) restructuring.
Global partner promotions plummet

2 May 2011

The number of international partners made up by UK firms in 2011 has dipped, despite this being the first round of promotions since last year’s spate of transatlantic mergers.
Honey for nothing, kudos for free

2 May 2011

It is not actually a secret that there is a beehive on a rooftop in Middle Temple Gardens, but few of the barristers and staff who work nearby seem to know about it.
Hogan Lovells pair sign up for Noerr’s European IP crusade with Alicante launch

25 April 2011

German firm Noerr is set to launch an IP office in Alicante after poaching two lawyers from Hogan Lovells.
Hogan Lovells pair sign up for Noerr’s European IP crusade with Alicante launch

25 April 2011

German firm Noerr is set to launch an IP office in Alicante after poaching two lawyers from Hogan Lovells.
Simmons oversees MoJ’s £2.4bn prison service contracts process

25 April 2011

Simmons & Simmons has advised the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) on two prison service procurement provisions that resulted in contracts worth a combined total of £2.4bn being awarded to bidders.
Pannone prepares for post-LSA world with white-label arm

21-Apr-2011

Pannone is set to launch a white-label division to capitalise on the new opportunities that will arise when the Legal Services Act (LSA) comes into full force.
BLP banking partner Waghorn quits firm after two decades

21-Apr-2011

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) banking and capital markets partner Mark Waghorn has announced that he will leave the firm after 21 years.
Pinsents names corporate head as incumbent takes on development role

21-Apr-2011

Pinsent Masons has appointed a new head of corporate and tax to replace incumbent Gareth Edwards.
Egorov turns to Bakers for rare St Petersburg partner hire

21-Apr-2011

Russian firm Egorov Puginsky Afanasiev & Partners has made a rare lateral hire into its partnership, adding Baker & McKenzie’s St Petersburg head of dispute resolution and tax.
Hill Dickinson promotes nine to salaried partner level

20-Apr-2011

Hill Dickinson has made up nine lawyers to its salaried partner ranks and one to legal director in its annual round of promotions.
SNR Denton welcomes eight new partners to UK LLP

20-Apr-2011

The UK LLP of SNR Denton has made up eight partners in its annual round of promotions.
WFW welcomes six to partnership ranks

18-Apr-2011

Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) has appointed six new partners in its annual round of promotions, bringing the total number of partners at the firm to 110.
DLA promotes 12 to UK partnership in 53-strong global round

18-Apr-2011

DLA Piper has made up 53 lawyers across 18 countries in its annual round of partner promotions.
Scottish and English firms team up for wind farm deal

18 April 2011

Burness, Eversheds, Norton Rose and Shepherd & Wedderburn all advised on the financing of a £38.6m wind farm project in the Scottish Borders.
Hill Dicks names former Manchester head as firmwide senior partner

11-Apr-2011

Hill Dickinson has appointed former Manchester managing partner David Wareing as its new senior partner.
DLA Piper introduces partner gardening leave for the first time

11 April 2011

DLA Piper is putting departing partners on three months’ gardening leave after overhauling its members agreement to reflect its international growth.
Firms get creative as holiday fever sparks billing chaos

11 April 2011

Easter and royal wedding force firms to rethink accounting deadlines
Gowlings adds Unilever IP lawyer to London team

8-Apr-2011

Canadian firm Gowlings has hired Unilever’s former vice-president legal and global anti-counterfeiting counsel for its London office.
Pannone promotes four to partnership

7-Apr-2011

Pannone has made up four partners, three of whom are women, in its annual round of promotions.
Dechert opens LA office with four-partner Orrick team

7-Apr-2011

Dechert has launched an office in Los Angeles after hiring four partners from Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe, including former US litigation head Edwin Woodsome.
Wragges taps Eversheds for three-lawyer Paris team

7-Apr-2011

Wragge & Co has hired a three-lawyer employment team from Eversheds in Paris.
Gates and Partners launches in Dubai with Clydes hires

7-Apr-2011

Aviation and commercial law firm Gates and Partners is set to launch in Dubai after hiring two lawyers from Clyde & Co.
Eversheds fails to overturn sex discrimination ruling

6-Apr-2011

The Employment Appeal Tribunal has rejected Eversheds’ appeal against a decision that found the firm’s redundancy programme discriminated on grounds of sex by giving too much protection to pregnant employees.
Olswang promotes five to London partnership

6-Apr-2011

Olswang has made up five of its London associates to partner in its annual round of promotions.
A&O signs up to Nick Clegg's 'business compact'

5-Apr-2011

Allen & Overy (A&O) has become the first law firm to sign up to the Government’s ’business compact’ on social mobility.
BLP favours London in 13-strong promotions round

5-Apr-2011

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has made up 13 partners in its annual round of promotions, up from eight in 2010.
Nabarro Singapore wins first panel appointment

5-Apr-2011

Nabarro’s Singapore office has been appointed to Australian engineering company Clough’s global legal panel.
A&O makes up 21 in global promotion round

4-Apr-2011

Allen & Overy (A&O) has made up 21 partners across 13 offices in its annual round of promotions, with the majority of new partners coming from outside London.
A&O and Links steer Schaeffler and banks through refinancing

04 April 2011

Allen & Overy (A&O) and Linklaters both landed roles on Schaeffler Group’s debt financing, which saw the company cut its debt by e2.8bn (£2.46bn).
Eversheds, SNR Denton land Soton development

04 April 2011

Eversheds and SNR Denton have been appointed as advisers on Southampton’s £450m Royal Pier Waterfront development.
Magic circle moots joint social mobility strategy

04 April 2011

Top firms will work together to widen access to the law
Speechly partner to stretch lawyers

04 April 2011

“Do you feel elongated?”
Takeover Panel sweetens code for targets after Cadbury lesson

04 April 2011

Panel acts after public finds squirty cheese behemoth’s legacy hard to digest. By James Swift
WorldPay seeks panel firms after RBS selloff

04 April 2011

Card payment processor WorldPay is putting together its first external law firm panel following its divestment from RBS.
Macfarlanes makes up four partners in latest promotions round

1-Apr-2011

After promoting just one associate last year, Macfarlanes has made up four partners across four practice areas.
Mallesons' managing partner to assume chief exec role

31-Mar-2011

Australian firm Mallesons Stephen Jaques has announced that managing partner Stuart Fuller will succeed Robert Milliner as chief executive.
West End firm Brecher promotes three to partnership

31-Mar-2011

Property specialist Brecher has made up three partners in its annual promotions.
Eversheds adds to depleted Copenhagen with hires from Accura

31-Mar-2011

Eversheds is continuing to re-build its Copenhagen office after it suffered a wave of departures by hiring a team from Danish firm Accura.
Employment Tribunal unequivocal on discrimination stance as gay lawyer wins action

28 March 2011

A gay lawyer who discovered a note from one of his firm’s partners that accused him of giving work to his “batty boy mate” has won a discrimination fight against the firm.
Horwich Farrelly

28 March 2011

Manchester-based firm Horwich Farrelly is responsible for what is thought to be a first in insurance litigation. After successfully defending a false road traffic accident damages claim against a client, the firm took the unusual step of bringing a private prosecution against the fraudster, proving the defendant had perverted the course of justice.
Simmons gets to the art of the matter

28 March 2011

On the wall of meeting room 31, on the third floor of Simmons & Simmons’ City office, a muzzled pit bull terrier stares out, taut with aggression.
DLA Piper targets Mongolian market via local tie-up

24-Mar-2011

DLA Piper has entered Mongolia through a non-exclusive tie-up with local firm C&G Partners.
Trio do battle for Camerons senior partner role as Lane is knocked out

22-Mar-2011

CMS Cameron McKenna’s head of regulated industries Robert Lane has been eliminated from the firm’s senior partner elections.
Weightmans and Mace & Jones agree terms of merger

22-Mar-2011

North West firm Weightmans has agreed merger terms with Mace & Jones just weeks after announcing that it would acquire Vizards Wyeth’s insurance team.
Cleary, CC, Dewey wrap up Finmeccanica divestment

21 March 2011

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, Clifford Chance and Dewey & LeBoeuf all landed roles on Finmeccanica’s sale of Ansaldo Energia.
Squammonds promotes seven UK lawyers in 18-strong round

17-Mar-2011

Squire Sanders Hammonds has announced its first round of partnership promotions since the merger between Hammonds and Squire Sanders & Dempsey in January 2011, promoting 18 lawyers.
SNR Denton names projects partner as UK chief exec

17-Mar-2011

SNR Denton has shaken up its UK LLP leadership team, with partner Matthew Jones named as chief executive.
DLA Piper's Aussie merger firm suffers nine-partner defection

14-Mar-2011

Nine DLA Phillips Fox partners are leaving to join mid-tier Australian firm Thomsons Lawyers ahead of the firm’s imminent merger with DLA Piper.
Spit and Polish

14 March 2011

With Poland having ridden out the downturn admirably, firms are flocking there with a view to making it their CEE launch pad. James Swift reports
WFW launches Spanish tax practice with PwC hire

11-Mar-2011

Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) has launched a tax practice in Spain after hiring a lawyer from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).
Eversheds' City projects chief defects to Stephenson Harwood

11-Mar-2011

The head of Eversheds’ London projects team Jonathan Cripps is set to defect to Stephenson Harwood along with partner Rebecca Carter.
Weightmans hires RBS lawyer as policy development chief

10-Mar-2011

Weightmans has boosted its insurance practice with the hire of an RBS director to fill the new role of head of policy development.
Manches leads on 'glamorous' F1 IPO

9-Mar-2011

Manches and Nabarro’s German alliance partner, GSK Stockmann + Kollegen, have snared the leading roles on Williams F1’s groundbreaking IPO.
A&O beefs up Frankfurt with hire of Norton Rose partner

8-Mar-2011

Allen & Overy (A&O) has taken a banking regulation partner and three associates from Norton Rose in Frankfurt.
Pinsents builds funds practice with addition of SJ Berwin lawyer

8-Mar-2011

Pinsent Masons has boosted its partnership with the addition of a lawyer from SJ Berwin’s fund formation team.
Weightmans confirms acquisition of Vizards Wyeth's insurance practice

8-Mar-2011

North West firm Weightmans has confirmed that its plan to acquire Vizards Wyeth’s insurance team will go ahead.
Clydes takes plunge into merger hotspot Canada

7 March 2011

UK firm follows client RSA; DLA Piper to make second attempt
Egypt’s lawyers face tough year ahead but remain optimistic for a free 2012

7 March 2011

International lawyers in Egypt are braced for a tough year in the wake of the recent revolution, but believe the benefits of a freer country will prevail over hardship.
Covanta Energy turns to Carillion for in-house legal hire

4-Mar-2011

Waste to Energy specialist Covanta Energy has appointed Kim Humphreys as legal counsel.
Freshfields leads as Cattles restructuring completes

4-Mar-2011

Allen & Overy (A&O), Ashurst, Clifford Chance and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer have all advised on sub-prime lender Cattles’ £2.3bn restructuring.
Norton Rose formalises alliance with Indonesia's Susandarini & Partners

1-Mar-2011

Norton Rose has signed an alliance with Jakarta firm Susandarini & Partners while also bulking up its Australia practice with the hire of an IP partner from Allens Arthur Robinson.
SNR Denton co-CEO Morris steps down to focus on integration

28-Feb-2011

SNR Denton co-chief executive Howard Morris has relinquished his post to concentrate on integrating the recently merged firm.
DLA Piper partners give backing to firm's Aussie merger

28-Feb-2011

Partners at DLA Piper and DLA Phillips Fox have voted in favour of plans to fully integrate the two firms.
SNR Denton’s Africa capability extends to 22 states with Portuguese alliance

28 February 2011

SNR Denton has added 10 firms to its Africa network, bringing its total number of tie-ups on the continent to 21. Including its own Cairo office, the firm now has a toehold in 22 of Africa’s 54 countries.
HogLov promotes 36 to partner, with seven getting nod in City

25-Feb-2011

Hogan Lovells has announced its first round of promotions as a merged firm, making up 36 new partners across its global network.
SNR Denton seals alliance with Portuguese firm, adds 10 firms to Africa network

23-Feb-2011

SNR Denton has added 10 firms to its Africa network, bringing its total number of tie-ups in the continent to 21.
Five Hengeler lawyers break away to form corporate boutique in Frankfurt

21 February 2011

A team of five senior associates from Slaughter and May’s German best friend Hengeler Mueller have left to launch their own Frankfurt boutique.
Linklaters lags behind in magic circle NQ retention

21 February 2011

Linklaters has revealed an 82 per cent newly qualified (NQ) retention rate for its spring qualifiers.
Garrigues Barcelona partner takes reins of City office

17-Feb-2011

Spanish firm Garrigues has appointed a new London head as incumbent Guillermo Muñoz-Alonso returns to Madrid.
Sweden's Magnusson eyes pan-Baltic reach with Helsinki launch

16-Feb-2011

Swedish firm Magnusson is set to open an office in Finland with six new partners, as the firm moves closer to its goal of total regional coverage.
Portugal's Vieira de Almeida opens in Angola

16-Feb-2011

Portuguese firm Vieira de Almeida & Associados (VDA) has launched in Angola, as the firm looks to strengthen its international coverage.
Eversheds' Spanish alliance partner breaks from network

15-Feb-2011

Eversheds is set to part company with Spanish alliance partner Eversheds Lupicinio, citing strategic differences.
CMS network revamps management team as Tyler returns to Camerons in City

14-Feb-2011

The CMS network has shaken up its management structure ahead of executive partner Dick Tyler’s return to the UK.
Group of breakaway Hengeler lawyers launch corporate boutique

14-Feb-2011

A group of senior associates from Slaughter and May’s German best friend Hengeler Mueller have left the firm to launch their own corporate boutique.
Fidal links up with Brazil's Siqueira Castro

14 February 2011

France’s largest firm Fidal has joined forces with Brazil’s largest firm by headcount Siqueira Castro.
SH’s Kuwaiti ally ASAR pushes into Qatar

14 February 2011

Stephenson Harwood’s (SH) Kuwaiti alliance firm ASAR - Al Ruwayeh & Partners is to expand its reach by launching an office in Qatar.
Slowly but surely for Spain’s big four law firms as turnover figures inch north

14 February 2011

Uría Menéndez turned over €186.5m (£158.51m) in 2010, allowing it to retain its position as Spain’s third-largest firm, after Garrigues and Cuatrecasas Gonçalves Pereira.
Germany's Heuking seals alliance with Brazilian firm

11-Feb-2011

German firm Heuking Kühn Lüer Wojtek has formed an alliance with Brazilian firm Veirano Advogados.
A&O turns to Freehills for Aussie banking hire

11-Feb-2011

Allen & Overy (A&O) is continuing to expand its Australian presence with the hire of a banking partner from local firm Freehills.
White & Case boosts Tokyo office with double Paul Hastings hire

8-Feb-2011

White & Case has hired two partners in Japan from fellow US firm Paul Hastings Janofsky & Walker.
Istanbullish

7 February 2011

The last time The Lawyer covered the Turkish market in its Special Reports (8 February 2010), the country was rebounding, very promisingly, off the back of a torrid few years.
Magisters' Kiev office raided over Naftogaz investigation

4-Feb-2011

Magisters’ managing partner has hit out at the Ukrainian government after armed men from the General Prosecutor’s office yesterday raided the firm’s Kiev office, seizing documents and detaining staff for six hours.
Salans turns to Beiten Burkhardt for team of Berlin lawyers

3-Feb-2011

Salans has bulked up its Berlin presence with the hire of a team of lawyers from German firm Beiten Burkhardt.
Gómez boosts partnership with nine promos as 2010 turnover nudges up

2-Feb-2011

Spanish firm Gómez-Acebo & Pombo has posted a two per cent rise in turnover at the same time as promoting nine to its partnership and completing the transition from pure to managed lockstep.
Former CC secretary jailed for stealing £23,000 from firm

1-Feb-2011

A former Clifford Chance secretary who stole more than £23,000 from the firm has been jailed for fraud.
Roschier promotes six partners across Stockholm and Helsinki

1-Feb-2011

Nordic firm Roschier has made up six lawyers to partner across its Stockholm and Helsinki offices.
Wolf Theiss names new Kiev head as incumbent relocates to Vienna

1-Feb-2011

Wolf Theiss has appointed Taras Dumych to replace Gennady Khareyn as managing partner of its Kiev office.
Norton Rose hands Moscow brief to China managing partner

1-Feb-2011

Norton Rose has revamped the management of its Moscow office as the firm looks to exploit trade between Russia and China.
Breaking the ice

31 January 2011

Canada’s law firms have so far avoided the temptations of globalisation. Will Norton Rose’s merger with Ogilvy spark a new interest in the market?
Dewey, Linklaters and Slaughters handle Eskom’s $1.75bn bond offer

31 January 2011

Dewey & LeBoeuf, Linklaters and Slaughter and May have all advised on South African state-owned electricity utility Eskom Holdings’ $1.75bn (£1.11bn) bond offer.
Cuatrecasas posts small rise in turnover for 2010

27-Jan-2011

Iberian firm Cuatrecasas Gonçalves Pereira’s turnover increased by 3 per cent in 2010, rising to €241.7m.
Covington's Middle East alliance firm launches two Saudi offices

27-Jan-2011

Covington & Burling’s Middle East alliance partner Institution Quraysh for Law & Policy (IQ) is set to launch offices in Riyadh and King Abdullah Economic City.
Olswang film chief’s post-UKFC vision

24 January 2011

The film The King’s Speech has only been out since 7 January but has already established itself as a critical and commercial success and must be a shoo-in for an Oscar or two.
Sextet of employment boutiques band together to form international network

24 January 2011

Six boutique employment law firms from across Europe and the US have joined forces to create an international employment law alliance.
Noerr appoints news Moscow head as incumbent moves to Munich

21-Jan-2011

Noerr’s Moscow office, its largest outside Germany, has appointed a new leader after incumbent Peter Zier announced he is to step down.
Vietnam's YKVN launches in Singapore with DLA swoop

19-Jan-2011

Vietnamese firm YKVN has taken a partner from DLA Piper to launch its new office in Singapore.
Firm attachments

17 January 2011

Consolidation in the Baltic countries has been a dominant theme in the past year, says James Swift
Cuatrecasas installs Lisbon management duo as incumbent quits firm

14-Jan-2011

The managing partner of Iberian firm Cuatrecasas Gonçalves Pereira’s Lisbon office has quit the firm to pursue personal projects.
Noerr makes up London co-head in promotions round

14-Jan-2011

German firm Noerr’s London co-head has been promoted into the equity along with six others as part of the firm’s annual promotions.
Trowers bulks up newly merged Egypt base with hire from Eversheds' Saudi sponsor

13-Jan-2011

Trowers & Hamlins has merged with its alliance partner in Egypt and further expanded in Cairo with the hire of an office head from Eversheds’ Saudi Arabia sponsor firm.
Germany's Schultze launches Hamburg restructuring office

13-Jan-2011

German firm Schultze & Braun has expanded its footprint in its home country with the launch of a Hamburg office that will deal with restructuring and turnaround work.
Nabarro best friend Nunziante seals deals in Istanbul and Tirana

12-Jan-2011

Nabarro’s Italian best friend Nunziante Magrone has signed exclusive tie-ups with firms in Albania and Turkey.
Salans gets a fillip with hire of Squire's Larkin

11-Jan-2011

Salans has hired a partner from Squire Sanders Hammonds to head its global hospitality sector group in London.
On the brink

10 January 2011

Portugal has been a market in turmoil over the past year, with the necessity of a bailout from the EU hanging over its head. James Swift looks at how the legal market is faring
Gowlings continues City push with hire of Pinsents' project finance head

5-Jan-2011

Gowlings has given its London energy, infrastructure and mining group a boost by hiring Pinsent Masons’ UK head of project finance.
Chip building

3 January 2011

Intel European head of labour law Richard Devereux’s formidable remit covers overseeing counsel and employees in 37 countries, meaning an ability to adapt has been crucial to his role.
Comings and goings

3 January 2011

Spanish firm Garrigues pulled the plug on its young Romanian office recently. James Swift finds out why, and if this is a sign of things to come
Hewitsons

3 January 2011

Regional firm Hewitsons’ main practice areas are corporate, property and private client.
Life in the slow lane

3 January 2011

Economic recovery is being held back by unhelpful government actions, typified by recent legislative moves on PPPs.
Gómez promos bring partner headcount to 65

29-Dec-2010

Spanish firm Gómez-Acebo & Pombo has appointed nine new partners, increasing the total number at the firm to 65.
Gleiss Lutz adds three partners to equity

23-Dec-2010

Herbert Smith alliance firm Gleiss Lutz has promoted three associated partners in Germany into the equity.
Garrigues revamps New York management team

23-Dec-2010

Garrigues has appointed corporate partner Ferran Escayola to head its New York office.
NCTM veteran leads four-lawyer exit to set up boutique

17-Dec-2010

The co-founder of Italian firm NCTM has announced that he will leave the firm, along with an equity partner and two salary partners, to launch a niche practice.
Wolf Theiss replaces managing partner role with three-person board

16-Dec-2010

Wolf Theiss has replaced its managing partner with a three-member management board as the firm looks to Poland for the next stage of its expansion in Central and Eastern Europe.
Salans revamps German management team

16-Dec-2010

Salans has shaken up its management in Germany as the firm looks to grow in the country.
Finland's Hannes Snellman boost Denmark with double partner hire

15-Dec-2010

Finnish firm Hannes Snellman has boosted its recently established Copenhagen office by hiring two partners from local rivals.
Cleary adds to City competition team with OFT hire

14-Dec-2010

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton has boosted its London office with the hire of the deputy director of competition policy at the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).
Minter Ellison taps Jones Day for three-partner Hong Kong team

14-Dec-2010

Australian firm Minter Ellison has hired three partners from Jones Day for its Hong Kong office.
CMS DeBacker to launch in Luxembourg

14-Dec-2010

CMS DeBacker, the Belgian arm of the CMS network, has announced that it will open a Luxembourg office on 1 January 2011.
Howes Percival to investigate Asil Nadir's finances

9-Dec-2010

Howes Percival has been appointed to help investigate Turkish Cypriot billionaire Asil Nadir’s finances.
Orrick seals alliance with Vietnam firm

8-Dec-2010

Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe has tied up with a Vietnam firm run by its former Hong Kong managing associate.
Cleary and Gleiss Lutz advise on £4bn EDF sell-off

7-Dec-2010

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton and Herbert Smith’s German alliance firm Gleiss Lutz have acted on EDF’s €4.7bn (£3.98bn) sale of its 45 per cent stake in German energy company Energie Baden-Württember (EnBW) to the State of Baden-Württemberg.
BLP's former finance head relocates to Moscow

6-Dec-2010

Berwin Leighton Paisner’s (BLP) former head of finance is relocating to Moscow as the firm’s Russia tie-up reports a 60 per cent rise in revenue.
Change at the top for Latham in Moscow as managing partner calls it a day

6 December 2010

Latham & Watkins Moscow managing partner Mark Banovich is leaving the firm, to be replaced by M&A partner Christopher Allen.
Ilfa promotes its firsts foremost

6 December 2010

At this year’s International Lawyers for Africa (Ilfa) gala dinner, held in the Law Society’s common room on Chancery Lane, the theme was firsts.
Musat picks up Garrigues’ Romania team as Spanish giant makes Poland CEE HQ

6 December 2010

Garrigues’ Bucharest team is set to join Romanian firm Musat & Asociatii after the Spanish firm announced it would be cutting the office loose at the end of the year.
One of a kind

6 December 2010

A year on from the creation of Goltsblat BLP, James Swift asks whether other international and local firms can overcome cultural barriers, or if this is destined to be the tie-up nonpareil
A&L Goodbody docks snow-bound secretaries' wages

3-Dec-2010

A&L Goodbody is encouraging its staff to leave early to combat worsening travel conditions, but those ‘on the clock’ must take the time out of their pay or annual leave.
Cleary launches Hong Kong law practice with Norton Rose hire

2-Dec-2010

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton is set to launch a Hong Kong law practice after poaching Norton Rose’s China corporate finance head.
Sweden's Vinge taps Howrey for Brussels competition partner

1-Dec-2010

Swedish firm Vinge has boosted its Brussels office with a competition lawyer from Howrey, two months after four partners left the US firm’s Belgium base.
A&O loses one partner and 20 lawyers to Italy's Bonelli

30-Nov-2010

Allen & Overy’s leading project finance lawyer in Italy is set to leave the firm to join Italian firm Bonelli Erede Pappalardo.
Hammonds Hong Kong to break away ahead of Squire Sanders merger

29-Nov-2010

Hammonds’ Hong Kong office will split from the firm ahead of its merger with Squire Sanders & Dempsey.
Walkers to boost Ireland ranks by 25 by close of year

29-Nov-2010

Offshore firm Walkers is expanding its nascent presence in Ireland and is on track to create a further 25 jobs in Dublin by the end of 2010.
Garrigues ups focus on Poland after shutting Romania office

29-Nov-2010

Spanish firm Garrigues is pulling out of Romania and will make Poland the centre of its Central and Eastern European practice.
Opportunistic PRK pounces after Gide review sees 10-strong Prague team axed

29 November 2010

Czech firm PRK Partners is set to take on Gide Loyrette Nouel’s Prague team, which was let go by the French firm following its global strategic review.
Camerons hires UniCredit lawyer for CEE banking team

25-Nov-2010

CMS Cameron McKenna has taken a lawyer from UniCredit for its Central and Eastern Europe banking and finance team.
Cuatrecasas advises FC Barcelona on unlawful accounting claim

25-Nov-2010

Spanish firm Cuatrecasas Gonçalves Pereira is advising FC Barcelona’s board of directors on its unlawful accounting claim against the club’s former president.
Schoenherr swoops for UBS chairman Kurer

22-Nov-2010

Austrian firm Schoenherr has appointed former UBS chairman Peter Kurer as external member of its strategy committee.
Davis Polk continues Hong Kong hiring spree with Linklaters head

22-Nov-2010

Davis Polk & Wardwell has continued to build its Hong Kong office with the hire of Linklaters’ Beijing head.
IBA denounces Chinese govt interference as lawyers live under ‘Sword of Damocles’

22 November 2010

China’s legal profession is less independent than it was before 2003 and lawyers involved in controversial cases live “under the Sword of Damocles”, according to panellists at the International Bar Association’s (IBA) discussion on the independence of lawyers in the country.
US duo tap into $1.25bn KazMunaiGas Eurobond

22 November 2010

Dewey & LeBoeuf and White & Case acted on Kazakhstan oil and gas company KazMunaiGas’s (KMG) recent $1.25bn (£780m) Eurobond offering.
Thomson Reuters enters LPO market with Pangea 3 acquisition

19-Nov-2010

Thomson Reuters has acquired one of India’s largest pure play legal process outsourcing (LPO) companies Pangea3
Nixon Peabody seals alliance with Hong Kong firm

18-Nov-2010

Nixon Peabody has entered into a formal association with Hong Kong firm Cheng Wong Lam & Partners.
Germany's CMS Hasche Sigle revamps management team

16-Nov-2010

German firm CMS Hasche Sigle has elected a new managing partner to replace Cornelius Brandi, who will step down to become senior partner next year.
DLA Piper’s Abu Dhabi boss follows well-worn trail to DLA Phillips Fox

15 November 2010

DLA Piper’s Abu Dhabi office managing partner Stephen Webb has moved to the firm’s Australian alliance partner DLA Phillips Fox.
European competition push sees Dewey pounce for Weil's German antitrust chief

15 November 2010

Dewey & LeBoeuf has boosted its Frankfurt office, hiring the head of Weil Gotshal & Manges’ German antitrust and regulatory practice, as the firm looks to become a force in European competition and antitrust.
Fjord focus

15 November 2010

There’s still some energy left in Norway’s restricted hydroelectric power sector.
Ogier names Cayman's chief as head of Hong Kong

12-Nov-2010

Offshore firm Ogier has appointed a new Hong Kong managing partner to replace the Duncan Smith, who will retire early next year.
Canada's Gowlings continues London expansion with Simmons hire

10-Nov-2010

Canadian firm Gowlings has hired a Simmons & Simmons partner as it continues to expand in London.
A&O, CC, Norton Rose and Trowers visit Kuala Lumpur to champion liberalisation

8 November 2010

Major UK firms have sent high-profile delegations to Malaysia as the market considers allowing foreign firms to practise.
Ashurst and DLA Piper land massive Coal India listing

8 November 2010

Ashurst and DLA Piper have secured roles advising on the international issues surrounding what is believed to be India’s largest-ever IPO.
Gide aims to become ‘one of the top firms in Hungary’ with first in a series of hires

8 November 2010

French firm Gide Loyrette Nouel is expanding in Hungary after its global strategic review made Budapest its Central and Eastern Europe hub.
Disputed territory

1 November 2010

Like all emerging jurisdictions, Africa comes with inherent risks, and with increasing inward investment the continent is seeing a rise in arbitration.
DLA Piper eyes exclusive link with Portugal’s ABBC

1 November 2010

DLA Piper is in talks about entering an exclusive tie-up arrangement with Portuguese firm Azevedo Neves Benjamim Mendes Carvalho & Associados Sociedade de Advogados (ABBC).
Ex-Norton Rose duo reject international model as they establish Paris boutique

1 November 2010

Two former Norton Rose lawyers, who left the firm’s Paris office earlier this year, have set up a boutique in the city.
Historic opportunity

1 November 2010

Following the Spanish example, Portuguese firms are expanding into countries with a common language, which spells opportunity in Africa.
Portuguese firm CCA chooses Shanghai over Europe or Africa for new office

1 November 2010

CCA Advogados has become the first Portuguese law firm to launch in China after opening an office in Shanghai.
Top firms help as Qatar Holding takes stake in Santander Brazil

1 November 2010

A host of firms, including Cuatrecasas Gonçalves Pereira, Slaughter and May, Uría Menéndez and White & Case have acted on Qatar Holding’s $2.7bn acquisition of a 5 per cent stake in Banco Santander’s Brazil operation.
DLA's African best friends form East African alliance

28-Oct-2010

African members of the DLA Piper alliance network, together with two other African firms, today launched regional alliance Juris East Africa.
Salans hands third term to Paris-based boss

28-Oct-2010

Salans has elected Dariusz Oleszczuk as global managing partner for the third time, making him the firm’s longest serving chief.
Norton Rose sets up Asian IP group

28-Oct-2010

Norton Rose has launched an IP and technology practice that will be headquartered in Hong Kong and offer services across Asia.
Gide review closes five Gulf and European offices

27-Oct-2010

Gide Loyrette Nouel has announced that it will shut five offices across Eastern Europe and the Gulf as part of its global strategic review.
Garrigues promotes 19 as turnover rises to €352.8m

26-Oct-2010

Spanish firm Garrigues has reported turnover of €352.8m (£314.27m), a 5.5 per cent increase on 2009.
Norton Rose boosts Australia team with hire from Jones Day

26-Oct-2010

Norton Rose Australia has boosted its banking practice in Perth with a partner from Jones Day.
Eversheds rebuilds Copenhagen after senior partner walkout

25-Oct-2010

Eversheds has appointed two partners in Copenhagen to replace former senior partner Troels Askerud.
Call for investigation as Jersey lawyers are accused of ‘cartel’-style behaviour

25 October 2010

Lawyers’ fees in Jersey are too high and “exhibit all the characteristics of a cartel”, according to one States Member, who wants an investigation.
Lawyer charged with ‘public insult’ in Dagestan after alleging beating by police

25 October 2010

A human rights lawyer from Russia is facing criminal charges for ’public insult of state officials while on duty’ after alleging she was beaten by police.
Portugal's Abreu seals alliance with Mozambique's Ferreira Rocha

21-Oct-2010

Portuguese firm Abreu Advogados has begun an exclusive strategic partnership with Mozambique firm Ferreira Rocha & Associados.
Baker Botts promotes two City lawyers in 13-strong round

19-Oct-2010

Texas firm Baker Botts has made up 13 lawyers in its latest round of partner promotions, including two in London.
Brazilian wedding as Siqueira Castro merges with São Paulo tax boutique

18-Oct-2010

Brazil’s largest law firm by headcount, Siqueira Castro Advogados, has merged with São Paulo tax boutique Advocacia Lunardelli.
Dewey & LeBoeuf bolsters Warsaw real estate practice with Salans specialists

18-Oct-2010

Dewey & LeBoeuf has strengthened its real estate practice in Warsaw with a team of lawyers from Salans.
Brazil comes of age

18 October 2010

As more international firms arrive, local players expand and competition increases, Brazil is finally starting to realise its potential.
PLMJ forges China link with one eye on Africa

18 October 2010

Portugal’s largest law firm PLMJ has tied up with China’s Dacheng Law Offices to tap into Chinese investment in Portuguese-speaking African countries.
Eversheds Copenhagen chief quits the firm

15-Oct-2010

Eversheds’ Copenhagen managing partner Troels Askerud has announced that he will quit the firm.
Norton Rose suffers four-partner walk out in Paris

14-Oct-2010

Norton Rose is set to lose a team of four partners in Paris, one month after losing five lawyers to Stephenson Harwood.
Dozen Howrey partners break away to establish IP boutique

11-Oct-2010

Howrey’s European IP head and Europe managing partner are both set to leave along with at least 10 other partners to set up their own IP firm.
Gide snares A&O and Hogan Lovells high-flyers to boost Moscow office

11 October 2010

Gide Loyrette Nouel has expanded its Moscow office by hiring an associate from Allen & Overy (A&O) and one from Hogan Lovells, and installing them as partners.
Schultze & Braun launches Paris arm to bolster French presence and woo US clients

11 October 2010

German insolvency specialist Schultze & Braun has set up an office in Paris.
Covington turns to Paul Hastings for London employment team

6-Oct-2010

US firm Covington & Burling has boosted its employment team in London with a team of lawyers from Paul Hastings Janofsky & Walker.
Gowlings continues to grow London with hire from Norton Rose

6-Oct-2010

Canadian firm Gowlings has continued its energy-focused hiring spree in London with the addition of a former Norton Rose partner.
Wolf Theiss acts on Facebook defamation case against Austrian press

5-Oct-2010

Austrian firm Wolf Theiss is advising a Slovakian student in a defamation case against three Viennese newspapers after her photo was mistakenly used in a story about a murdered prostitute.
Jersey lawyers' charge-out rates rise by two-thirds since 2003

4-Oct-2010

Top-end partner rates at Jersey’s premiere firms have increased by 64 per cent since 2003, according to exclusive research for The Lawyer.
Greener pastures

4 October 2010

Bank restructuring, slowly rising M&A activity and official overtures towards investment funds are keeping Irish lawyers smiling.
Italian legal alliance challenges old-school ruling over title, advertising and freebies

4 October 2010

An Italian law firm network has appealed to its country’s supreme court after the national bar association ordered it to change its name.
The Lawyer European Awards Berlin

4 October 2010

The second annual European Awards saw a diverse and stellar cast take their bows in the German capital. By James Swift
Canada's Gowlings boosts London with former British Energy GC

1-Oct-2010

Canadian firm Gowlings has embarked on an expansion of its London energy practice with the hire of former British Energy Group general counsel Robert Armour.
Stockholm office of Hamilton Advokatbyrå merges with Nilsson

1-Oct-2010

Swedish firm Hamilton Advokatbyrå has split from its regional offices and merged with another Stockholm firm, Nilsson & Co, after the Lehman Brothers collapse forced the firm to rethink its niche practice.
Boekel opens Dutch law office in London

30-Sep-2010

Dutch firm Boekel de Nerée has opened an office in London - its first venture outside the Netherlands.
Allens Arthur Robinson signs alliance with top Japanese firm

30-Sep-2010

Australian firm Allens Arthur Robinson (AAR) and Japanese firm Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu have entered in to an alliance to serve Japanese clients’ across Asia and Australia.
Hogan Lovells loses German banking head to Noerr

28-Sep-2010

The head of Hogan Lovells’ German banking practice has left the firm for partnership at German independent Noerr.
African legal body defies the vultures

27 September 2010

In investment circles they are known as distressed debt funds or specialist situation funds - to everyone else they are vulture funds.
Lawin triumvirate take steps towards becoming single pan-Baltic powerhouse

27 September 2010

The three members of Baltic alliance Lawin are a step closer to a full merger after consolidating their management and creating firmwide practice heads.
Olswang bulks up arbitration and construction with Bakers hire

22-Sep-2010

Olswang has added to its London international arbitration and construction practices with the hire of a partner from Baker & McKenzie’s Hong Kong office.
Leading UK firms in French capital take 5 per cent hit in turnover stakes

20 September 2010

UK firms’ Paris offices endured a disappointing 2009-10, with SJ Berwin suffering the biggest drop in turnover among the top 50 highest-earning firms, falling by 25.8 per cent to e21m (£17.4m).
Vive l’indépendance

20 September 2010

With senior lawyers quitting the muscle outfits in France to do their own thing, the trend towards boutique firms is gathering pace, says James Swift
Italian firm NCTM follows Chiomenti to Shanghai

15-Sep-2010

Italian firm NCTM has been granted a licence to work in Shanghai.
Norton Rose raids Blake Dawson for partner hire

13-Sep-2010

Norton Rose’s Australian arm has added to its commercial litigation team with a partner from Blake Dawson.
Graf poised to realise Düsseldorf ambitions

13 September 2010

German firm Graf von Westphalen, which earlier this year split from its Cologne and Freiburg teams, has announced that it is looking to open an office in Düsseldorf.
Schoenherr unveils white-collar team

13 September 2010

Austrian firm Schoenherr has established a compliance and white-collar crime team to target companies damaged by the criminal acts of employees and third parties, as well as companies facing criminal charges.
Well-connected

13 September 2010

With consolidated behemoths threatening the very existence of mid-sized law firms, joining a network can not only ensure the survival of a firm, but can offer the client an increased range of specific expertise and more competitive rates. At least, that’s the theory.
Cuatrecasas unveils new office heads for London and New York

7-Sep-2010

Cuatrecasas Gonçalves Pereira has named new heads for its offices in London and New York.
Iberian trio instructed on Telefónica’s Brasilcel buy

6 September 2010

Top Iberian law firms Cuatrecasas Gonçalves Pereira, Garrigues and Uría Menéndez all scored roles on Telefónica’s e7.5bn (£6.16bn) purchase of Portugal Telecom’s 50 per cent stake in Brasilcel.
Walkers raids MOP for three partners to facilitate launch of Dublin outpost

6 September 2010

Offshore firm Walkers has taken three partners from Irish firm Matheson Ormsby Prentice (MOP) as it gears up to launch a new office in Dublin.
Finnish firms Merilampi and Veikko Palotie merge

3-Sep-2010

Helsinki firms Merilampi Attorneys and Veikko Palotie & Co Attorneys at Law have merged to become Finland’s seventh largest firm.
Farrers defends News of the World against George Galloway claim

2-Sep-2010

Farrer & Co is defending News of the World publisher News Group Newspapers (NGN) in an action brought by former MP George Galloway, who claims his phone was hacked by the paper.
Finland's Hannes Snellman expands into Denmark

1-Sep-2010

Finnish firm Hannes Snellman has launched an office in Copenhagen, widening its coverage of the Nordic market.
Denmark's Danders seals merger with corporate boutique

31-Aug-2010

Danish firm Danders & More has merged with Copenhagen transaction boutique NSR Advokatfirma.
Walkers raids MOP for imminent Dublin launch

26-Aug-2010

Offshore firm Walkers is set to launch an office in Dublin, taking three partners from Irish firm Matheson Ormsby Prentice (MOP).
Offshore firm Harneys bolsters ranks ahead of Uruguay launch

25-Aug-2010

Offshore firm Harneys has swelled its lawyer headcount in the Cayman Islands, London and British Virgin Islands with hires from top US and UK firms as it prepares to open an office in Uruguay.
Minter Ellison expands China presence with Beijing launch

24-Aug-2010

Australian firm Minter Ellison has launched an office in Beijing, the firm’s third in Greater China.
Wilson Sonsini hires Milbank lawyer for Hong Kong launch

23-Aug-2010

US firm Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati is set to launch an office in Hong Kong after poaching a lawyer from Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy.
Covington hires partner from BAE Systems

19-Aug-2010

Covington & Burling has added to its partnership with a lawyer from the world’s largest defence contractor, BAE Systems.
Aussie firm Slater & Gordon posts turnover rise after acquisitive year

19-Aug-2010

Australia’s Slater & Gordon, the first law firm to float on a stock market, has posted a 21 per cent jump in turnover to Aus$124.7m (£71.8m) for the 2009-10 financial year.
Jones Day and Slaughters advise on BHP's $39bn hostile bid for Potash

18-Aug-2010

Jones Day is advising Canadian fertiliser company Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan (PotashCorp) on the defensive of a $39bn hostile takeover bid from Anglo-Australian mining company BHP Billiton.
King & Spalding bolsters NY energy practice with Milbank hire

17-Aug-2010

King & Spalding has hired an energy partner from Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy in New York.
Mayer Brown beefs up in Asia with hires from Winston and Sidley

17-Aug-2010

Mayer Brown JSM has added two partners to its Asia practice, hiring from Winston & Strawn in Beijing and Sidley Austin in Hong Kong.
Davis Polk launches HK law practice with hires from Freshfields and HKSE

16-Aug-2010

US firm Davis Polk & Wardwell has launched a domestic law practice in Hong Kong with two new partners.
Freshfields Hamburg lawyers set up real estate boutique

12-Aug-2010

A team of real estate lawyers from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer’s Hamburg office is to spin off and launch a boutique.
Herbies alliance firm Stibbe opens in Luxembourg

12-Aug-2010

Benelux firm and Herbert Smith alliance partner Stibbe is set to launch an office in Luxembourg.
CMS Hasche Sigle names joint banking heads

11-Aug-2010

German firm CMS Hasche Sigle has elected two partners to replace Marc Riede as head of banking and finance.
Singapore’s swing

9 August 2010

The Singapore government has made the most of its natural ’middleman’ location by elevating its arbitration credentials to the very top.
Hogan Lovells loses another Moscow partner

6-Aug-2010

Hogan Lovells has lost another partner from its Moscow office, this time to US firm Baker Botts.
Akin Gump raids Hogan Lovells for Moscow partner

5-Aug-2010

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld has hired a corporate partner from Hogan Lovells in Moscow.
Deutsche Telekom turns to Ashurst for hire of legal chief

4-Aug-2010

Deutsche Telekom has taken its new head of legal from Ashurst’s Frankfurt office.
Simmons' former Lisbon alliance firm finds new merger partner

4-Aug-2010

Simmons & Simmons’ former Portugal partner firm SRS Advogados has merged with litigation boutique Soares Machado & Associados.
Hogan Lovells extends reach to Mongolia with formal alliance

3-Aug-2010

Hogan Lovells has cemented its three-year relationship with Mongolian firm GTs Advocates by entering into a formal association.
Gibson Dunn launches Hong Kong office with GE hire

2-Aug-2010

Gibson Dunn & Crutcher has launched an office in Hong Kong after hiring a lawyer from General Electric International.
Appeal court overturns Hildebrand rule in Tchenguiz divorce case

29-Jul-2010

The Court of Appeal has ruled that separating couples will no longer be allowed to secretly obtain and use documents belonging to their partner in divorce proceedings.
Hogan Lovells names new head of Madrid

27-Jul-2010

Hogan Lovells has appointed a new managing partner in Madrid, as the office reveals a 5 per cent boost in earnings for 2009- 2010.
Hammonds goes ahead with plans for Frankfurt launch despite Munich losses

26 July 2010

Hammonds is looking to shore up its German offering, with one eye on Frankfurt - but the firm may have a tough time attracting partners following the closure of its Munich office.
Law firm profile: Arzinger

26 July 2010

Ukrainian firm Arzinger was established eight years ago by two former general counsel who became disenchanted with working in-house.
Taylor Vinters in Singapore alliance

22-Jul-2010

Cambridge law firm Taylor Vinters has formed a second alliance with a Singapore law firm, in order to handle commercial and corporate transactions.
Birketts aims for top 100 with tie-up

19 July 2010

Ipswich firm Birketts is planning to merge with Chelmsford-based Wollastons to create a firm that would be propelled into the top 100 UK firms by turnover.
Deutsch courage

19 July 2010

The past two decades have seen enormous transformations within the German legal system, not least with the ever-changing appetite for mergers. James Swift examines a market on the verge of its latest mutation
Law firm profile: NCTM

19 July 2010

Italy’s NCTM was born of a merger between two firms steeped in tradition.
Salans consolidates real estate primacy with multiple hires from CC in Warsaw

19 July 2010

Salans has poached a team of real estate lawyers, including rainmaker Pawel Debowski, from Clifford Chance’s Warsaw office.
Clifford Chance Poland real estate head quits for Salans

13-Jul-2010

Clifford Chance’s head of real estate in Poland has left for Salans’ Warsaw office, and is rumoured to be taking with him at least two partners.
Howrey launches in Düsseldorf with hire from local firm Bardehle

12-Jul-2010

US firm Howrey is to launch a Düsseldorf office after hiring a partner from one of Germany’s top IP boutiques.
Sharing the secrets

12 July 2010

2011 will bring with it a huge change to Luxembourg’s tradition of banking secrecy. Tom Phillips and James Swift look at what that will mean for the status of the offshore financial centre
Cuatrecasas launches in Malaga with local merger

6-Jul-2010

Iberian firm Cuatrecasas Gonçalves Pereira has bolted-on an office in Malaga following a merger with local player Romero y Robles.
LGBT lawyers find in-house approval

5 July 2010

The in-house legal profession is leaps and bounds ahead of private practice in terms of diversity, new research has found.
Herbies turns to Gide for Moscow infrastructure hire

2-Jul-2010

Herbert Smith’s Moscow practice has turned to Gide Loyrette Nouel for the hire of its first dedicated infrastructure partner as the firm predicts a rush in projects over the coming years.
Ireland in the sun

28 June 2010

While one report predicts that Ireland’s recovery from the recession will be slow, the queue of international law firms looking to open offices there suggests evidence to the contrary.
Striking accord?

21 June 2010

As Greek lawyers are forced to down tools in protest over the government’s austerity measures, not everyone agrees that this is the best course of action.
Tugendhat J redefines meaning of defamation

16-Jun-2010

Mr Justice Tugendhat today raised the bar for defamation claims in a High Court ruling that found the definition of defamation must include a qualification or threshold of seriousness.
Simmons to shut Padua after Gianni raid

14-Jun-2010

Simmons & Simmons will close its Padua office as three partners and 12 associates depart for Italian firm Gianni Origoni Grippo & Partners.
Cruising in the Med

14 June 2010

As Cyprus establishes its legal market’s standing on the world stage, James Swift asks lawyers on the island where they see themselves following the downturn and Greece’s travails
Cherie Booth's "religious man" sentencing did not constitute misconduct

10-Jun-2010

The Office for Judicial Complaints (OJC) has found that Matrix Chambers’ Cherie Booth QC did not commit judicial misconduct when she said that a man found guilty of assault should be spared jail because he was “a religious man”.
Dewey ramps up Moscow with dual partner hire

10-Jun-2010

Dewey & LeBoeuf’s Moscow office has poached two partners from international rivals in Moscow, giving the firm a boost in banking and real estate.
Garrigues gains replacement Brazilian member for Affinitas Alliance

9-Jun-2010

Spanish firm Garrigues has sealed an association with a local firm in Brazil, plugging the gap in its South American alliance left by the departure of Barbosa Muessnich & Arago last year.
Houthoff snares three from Simmons

7-Jun-2010

Dutch firm Houthoff Buruma has strengthened its corporate practice with a three-lawyer team from Simmons & Simmons.
ACC conference gets to grips with professional privilege bombshell

7 June 2010

The Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) Europe’s seventeenth annual conference was held in Vienna last week - and it rained. A lot. But even on the few occasions when the downpours gave way to sunshine, a faint gloom seemed to hang around.
Bet noir?

7 June 2010

Malta has become a leader in the internet gambling industry. But as James Swift reports, a recent ECJ judgment has resulted in some trepidation over the sector’s future
XXIV Old Buildings aims to raise its Chinese profile

7 June 2010

XXIV Old Buildings has devised a five-year plan to raise its profile among Chinese law firms after the lengthy Danone/Wahaha dispute showed there is a place for the bar on disputes between Eastern and Western companies.
Dewey Frankfurt tax team spins out as standalone practice

4-Jun-2010

Dewey & LeBoeuf has lost two of its biggest hitting German partners with its Frankfurt managing partner leaving to launch a tax boutique.
Linklaters Stockholm continues to shrink as tax team heads to Vinge

4-Jun-2010

The exodus from Linklaters’ Stockholm office has continued with the defection of four associates to local firm Vinge.
Akin Gump hires Chiomenti lawyer for Abu Dhabi office

3-Jun-2010

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld has strengthened its corporate practice with a partner hire in Abu Dhabi.
A&L Goodbody promotes four and poaches one from local rival

2-Jun-2010

Irish firm A&L Goodbody has added five to its partnership, making up four lawyers in Dublin and hiring a partner in Belfast from rival Arthur Cox.
Hands across the CIS

31 May 2010

The CIS would seem to provide the perfect opportunity for Russian and Ukrainian firms to open offices across the region. Here James Swift examines the reasons why, with the exception of Magisters, this has not happened
Proposed rule change set to allow foreign firms greater access to Japanese market

31 May 2010

The Japanese Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is set to relax its rules on foreign law firms, allowing them to become corporations and open multiple offices in the country.
Great haul of China

24 May 2010

After two-and-a-half years, the Sino-Global Legal Alliance still has no imitators. James Swift reviews its progress and asks whether it’s of any real value in the Chinese legal market
Cuatrecasas and Garrigues advise on Spanish banking mega-merger

21-May-2010

Cuatrecasas Gonçalves Pereira and Garrigues have advised on €4.2bn (£3.63bn), three-way merger between Spain’s savings banks.
Former Gide and CC lawyers set up Paris independent

21-May-2010

Former lawyers from Gide Loyrette Nouel and Clifford Chance have banded together to launch a boutique finance practice in Paris.
Germany's Luther names managing partner duo

21-May-2010

German firm Luther Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft has elected two managing partners to lead the firm from July.
Former Richards Butler partners launch Paris shipping boutique

17-May-2010

Two partners from Thomas Cooper’s Paris office have split to launch a five-lawyer shipping boutique.
Dechert raids CC in Moscow to hike dispute resolution

17 May 2010

Moscow newcomer Dechert has scored a coup by hiring Clifford Chance’s local head of litigation and arbitration.
Greek crisis impacts on legal sector as old-fashioned partnerships buckle

17 May 2010

Lawyers in Athens are facing the prospect of abandoning traditional law firm structures as the fallout from the country’s battered economy continues to grip the nation.
Links remains sanguine about Swedish exodus

17 May 2010

Since entering the market in 2000 through a merger with Lagerlöf & Leman, Linklaters has gone from 35 to just nine partners. In only the first four months of 2010 two more partners left the firm’s Stockholm office.
Sportingbet sides with Nabarro for move to LSE

17 May 2010

Nabarro’s gaming team has advised Sportingbet on its £343m move from AIM to the main market.
Bakers boosts Paris litigation practice with Courtois Lebel team

13-May-2010

Baker & McKenzie has hired a team of litigators in Paris specialising in industrial litigation and arbitration.
Austria's Wolf Theiss promotes four to partnership

10-May-2010

Austrian firm Wolf Theiss has made up four partners across three offices in Central and Eastern Europe.
Links’ Lisbon office axes six associates as Portugal gears up for difficult year

10 May 2010

The faltering Portuguese economy has forced Linklaters to cut half a dozen associates from its Lisbon office as the country’s lawyers warn of a tough year ahead.
Marrache & Co founders steeled for £34m bankruptcy ruling

10 May 2010

The founding partners of Gibraltar law firm Marrache & Co face bankruptcy as claims against the firm rise to £34m.
Dublin's Byrne Wallace in New York launch

6-May-2010

Irish law firm Byrne Wallace, formerly BCM Hanby Wallace, has launched an office in New York.
Hogan Shanghai chief quits for Ropes & Gray

5-May-2010

The managing partner of the Shanghai office of Hogan Lovells legacy firm Hogan & Hartson has left to join Ropes & Gray.
Eversheds layoff programme ‘unfair’ to male associate

3 May 2010

EVERSHEDS has been ordered to pay £123,300 to an associate who claimed he was dismissed unfairly and suffered sex discrimination during the firm’s redundancy programme.
Firm leaders predict legal listings rush, survey finds

3 May 2010

The majority of managing partners think firms will float on a stock market when external investment is allowed, but that none will admit to an interest.
Osborne Clarke promotes two UK partners after one-year hiatus

30-Apr-2010

Osborne Clarke has made up two private equity associates to partner – the first UK promotions at the firm since 2008.
Linklaters loses Stockholm lawyer to Roschier

28-Apr-2010

Nordic firm Roschier has recruited a counsel from Linklaters’ shrinking Stockholm office and made up a record number of lawyers to its partnership in Helsinki.
Australia open

26 April 2010

It may taste a bit nasty to some, but A&O’s arrival could be just the tonic for Australia’s legal marketplace.
Curtis Mallet-Prevost names new Milan chief

26 April 2010

US firm Curtis Mallet-Prevost Colt & Mosle has appointed a new managing partner in its Milan office.
Herbies’ Paris finance boss returns to BNP Paribas in global GC role

26 April 2010

Herbert Smith’s Paris international banking and finance head Georges Dirani has been appointed global general counsel of BNP Paribas.
Gianni appoints five new partners

20-Apr-2010

Italian firm Gianni Origoni Grippo & Partners has announced the appointment of five new partners.
Cuatrecasas turns to Garrigues for Barcelona tax hire

19-Apr-2010

Cuatrecasas Gonçalves Pereira has bulked up its Barcelona tax practice with the hire of a partner from rival Garrigues.
Mayer Brown launches Paris competition practice

19-Apr-2010

Mayer Brown has launched a competition and distribution practice in Paris with the hire of a new practice head.
Herbies' Paris finance head joins BNP Paribas as global GC

19-Apr-2010

The head of Herbert Smith’s international banking and finance practice in Paris has been appointed global general counsel of BNP Paribas.
British Chiropractic Association drops Singh libel case

15-Apr-2010

The British Chiropractic Association (BCA) has discontinued its libel case against science writer Simon Singh.
BAA unveils streamlined legal panel

15-Apr-2010

Seven firms including Allen & Overy (A&O) and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer have landed roles on BAA’s new legal panel.
White & Case turns to Salans for hire of Romanian corporate chief

14-Apr-2010

White & Case has raided Salans for its new head of corporate and competition in Bucharest.
Thomas Eggar's new private client chief vows to attract work to regions

14-Apr-2010

Thomas Eggar has appointed Richard Jordan to replace Patricia Woolgar as head of its private client group.
Boekel De Nerée

12 April 2010

No one is sure exactly when Dutch firm Boekel De Nerée was set up.
Khaitan drafts in specialists to reinforce infrastructure, banking and TMT

12 April 2010

Indian firm Khaitan & Co has made three lateral partner hires to strengthen its banking, infrastructure and TMT practices.
Hogan closes another office as Akin poaches Geneva team

7-Apr-2010

US firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld has gutted Hogan & Hartson’s Geneva office to launch its own Swiss practice.
CEE farers

29 March 2010

Austria’s law firms have been put through the ringer in CEE, but after having seen off competition from UK and US giants they are feeling a lot more positive about their future prospects in the region. By James Swift
Highest-earning French independent Fidal takes second place in Europe

29 March 2010

French law firm Fidal posted a turnover of e295m (£265m) for the 2009 financial year, putting it among the top two largest independent law firms in Europe.
Hogan’s top Berlin rainmaker to stay put following Lovells tie-up

29 March 2010

The soon-to-be-merged Hogan & Hartson and Lovells have scored a coup in Berlin by holding on to Hogan’s main rainmaker in the city despite most of the office spinning out into a standalone practice.
Loyens & Loeff elevates Amsterdam tax boss to role of managing partner

29 March 2010

Loyens & Loeff, the third- largest independent firm in Europe by turnover, has elected Amsterdam tax partner Maarten van der Weijden as its new managing partner.
Linklaters elects new German chief

24-Mar-2010

Linklaters has elected a new senior partner in Germany to succeed Michael Lappe.
Hogan-Lovells conflicts prompt pre-merger split in Berlin

23-Mar-2010

The bulk of Hogan & Hartson’s Berlin office has shunned the firm’s imminent merger with Lovells because of potential conflicts, spinning out to create a new firm instead.
Noerr boss vows that planned London office is ‘no threat’ to UK partner firms

22 March 2010

The managing partner of German firm Noerr, which earlier this month announced its plans to open an office in London, has insisted that the move will not interfere with its relationships with UK firms.
The pain in Spain

22 March 2010

The recession may have come late to Spain, but as James Swift reports, it has not escaped unscathed and nor has its lawyers
US firms likely to eclipse UK players in race to conquer Indian market

18-Mar-2010

Lower fees and exclusive tie-ups mean US firms could steal a march on their UK counterparts when it comes to gaining a firm footing in the Indian market.
Gibraltar firms face tougher action in aftermath of Marrache investigation

18-Mar-2010

Law firms in Gibraltar could face draconian action if they are suspected of acting improperly, as the jurisdiction’s government plans to fill gaps revealed by the fraud investigation at Marrache & Co.
Freshfields names new Middle East corporate chief

16-Mar-2010

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has appointed a new Middle East and North Africa (MENA) corporate head, shortly after announcing its exclusive association with Saudi firm The Law Firm of Salah Al-Hejailan (LFSH).
Pole position

15 March 2010

In 2009 Poland weathered the recession better than any other EU country, but how did the legal market fare? By James Swift
Salans Warsaw hires trio of lawyers from Clifford Chance

12-Mar-2010

Salans has bolstered its Warsaw office with the hire of three corporate lawyers from Clifford Chance.
Gibson Dunn turns to Mayer Brown for Brussels hire

12-Mar-2010

Gibson Dunn & Crutcher’s Brussels office has beefed up its antitrust practice with the hire of a Mayer Brown partner.
Germany's Noerr to open London base after converting to English LLP

11-Mar-2010

German firm Noerr is to open an office in London months after registering as an English LLP.
De Brauw moves in with Slaughters and Uria for Beijing launch

11-Mar-2010

Dutch firm De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek is launching an office in Beijing, taking on space in the same building as that occupied by best friends Slaughter and May and Uría Menéndez.
Linklaters names new head of Luxembourg office

10-Mar-2010

Linklaters has named financial regulation partner Freddy Brausch as head of its Luxembourg office.
Linklaters hires CC structured finance partner for Amsterdam office

8-Mar-2010

Linklaters is to launch a structured finance practice in Amsterdam after securing a partner from Clifford Chance.
Addleshaws raids DLA for planning dept chief

8 March 2010

Addleshaw Goddard has turned to DLA Piper for the hire of a partner to head its 10-strong planning and environment team.
Class half empty?

8 March 2010

Have the wranglings over the introduction of Italy’s class action law eroded its effectiveness? asks James Swift
HSBC, firms and sets team up with A4ID

8 March 2010

HSBC’s in-house legal team is to partner with a number of leading law firms and chambers to provide pro bono advice to charities in the developing world through Advocates for International Development (A4ID).
Steeles wins spots on Sussex consortium panel

5-Mar-2010

London and Norwich firm Steeles Law has won places on seven out of 14 Sussex Councils’ Consortium panels alongside Eversheds, Pinsent Masons and Shoosmiths.
Freshfields and Lovells lead on €1bn French PPP

4-Mar-2010

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer’s Paris office has advised project company Synérail on a €1bn (£910m) PPP contract with rail network Réseau Ferré de France (RFF).
Wolf Theiss bolsters Vienna with O'Melveny hire

4-Mar-2010

Austrian firm Wolf Theiss has strengthened its Vienna competition team with the hire of a counsel from O’Melveny & Myers’ Brussels office.
Herbies names disputes partner as first-ever GC

3-Mar-2010

Herbert Smith has created the position of general counsel with dispute resolution partner Martin Bakes stepping into the role.
Firestone Duncan founder flees Russia amid alleged government conspiracy

1 March 2010

The managing partner of a Moscow law firm has fled Russia over fears he is being targeted by the same people he claims are responsible for the death of one of his partners.
Lawyers from DLA and Eversheds launch Madrid boutique

26-Feb-2010

A group of lawyers from the Spanish offices of DLA Piper and Eversheds have spun-off to launch a boutique in Madrid.
Dechert targeted by protesters over representation of vulture funds

25-Feb-2010

Protesters angry at Dechert’s representation of so-called vulture funds held a demonstration outside the firm’s City office yesterday.
Schoenherr names new Budapest head

24-Feb-2010

Austrian firm Schoenherr has shaken up its Budapest office with the appointment of a new managing partner and head of real estate.
Hammonds shelves Munich base following Eversheds raid

23-Feb-2010

Hammonds is to shut its Munich office months after losing five lawyers to Eversheds.
Marrache bros back in custody, assets frozen

22 February 2010

Gibraltar law firm Marrache & Co’s founding partners have been rearrested and the firm’s worldwide assets have been frozen amid further allegations of false accounting at the firm.
UK financial climate triggers hedge fund advisory practice to launch in Switzerland

22 February 2010

A London law firm that specialises in advising hedge funds has opened an office in Zurich amid the growing hostility from the City’s financial services sector towards UK tax rates.
Ashurst beefs up Italian practice with hires from Dewey and Pedersoli

18-Feb-2010

Ashurst has boosted its Italian practice by hiring two partners from Dewey & LeBoeuf and one from Pedersoli e Associati.
Mayer Brown hires A&O partner for US derivatives push

18-Feb-2010

Mayer Brown has poached a partner from Allen & Overy (A&O) in New York to lead its US derivatives and structured products practice.
Former Hengeler partner joins Poellath after 10-day Milbank stint

17-Feb-2010

The German Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy partner who left the firm after just 10 days has joined independent firm P+P Poellath + Partners.
White & Case loses another partner as A&O swoops in New York

15-Feb-2010

White & Case has suffered another partner departure with a lawyer in its New York office jumping ship to Allen & Overy (A&O).
Canton ease

15 February 2010

With the laws governing Switzerland’s various cantons set to be made less distinct, James Swift looks at the possibilities for local, national and global firms
Former BLP partner Veneik is struck off

15 February 2010

Former Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) property partner Vinay Veneik has been struck off by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) following accusations that he misused client money.
Ghanaian firm Oxford & Beaumont opens in UK

15 February 2010

Oxford & Beaumont has become the first Ghanaian law firm with a footprint in the UK after launching a representative office in London this month.
Ogier takes Channel Islands services to HK market

15 February 2010

Ogier will become the first law firm to offer Jersey and Guernsey services in Asia when it relocates a group of Channel Islands practitioners to Hong Kong.
Secret agenda

15 February 2010

Switzerland’s banking secrecy is coming under increased pressure as US and European countries target tax evaders to plug deficits in their economies. James Swift asks: is the country’s resistance futile?
Alber & Geiger hires senior partner's son as litigator

12-Feb-2010

Brussels lobbying firm Alber & Geiger has added to its ranks with a lawyer from EU law firm Kemmler Rapp Böhlke.
Paris's Darrois Villey hires from Links, Skadden and bench

12-Feb-2010

Parisian law firm Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier has beefed-up its practice with three partner hires, taking lawyers from Linklaters, Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom and the judiciary.
Marrache London hits out after Gibraltar partners charged with false accounting

11-Feb-2010

A partner in the London office of Marrache & Co has reacted angrily to news that the firm’s Gibraltar-based founding partners have had their Financial Services Commission (FSC) licenses cancelled, claiming the City base’s reputation is suffering by association.
Italy's Chiomenti beefs up in Hong Kong via tie-up with Clydes spin-off

11-Feb-2010

Italian firm Chiomenti will tie-up with a Clyde & Co spin-off firm in Hong Kong as a precursor to a full merger.
Wilson Sonsini profit up but revenue drops 6 per cent

10-Feb-2010

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati has released its end of year financial figures for 2009, revealing an almost 6 per cent drop in revenue but a small rise in partner profits.
Ex-Match.com GC finds new partner with Seatwave

9-Feb-2010

Fan-to-fan ticket exchange company Seatwave has appointed a former WilmerHale lawyer as its in-house lawyer to assist with the company’s expansion across Europe.
A&O launches in Australia

8-Feb-2010

Allen and Overy has raided Australian firm Clayton Utz to launch a practice in the jurisdiction for the first time, in a bid to strengthen its pan-Asian offering.
Cassidy Moscow chief quits for solo project

8 February 2010

The managing partner of Cassidy & Associates’ Moscow office has left to set up his own practice.
German state to pilot English-speaking courts

8 February 2010

Courts in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia are proposing to use English in commercial court cases in a bid to attract more international business litigation to the country.
Clifford Chance offloads Milan office space after turbulent year in Italy

3-Feb-2010

Clifford Chance is looking to sublet the fourth floor of its Milan office with Goldman Sachs thought to be the prospective tenant.
Bryan Cave reports 12 per cent revenue rise in 2009

1-Feb-2010

US firm Bryan Cave has reported a rise in income of 12 per cent over the 2009 calendar year, up to $563m (£350.6m) from $502.5m.
Castrén & Snellman

1 February 2010

Castrén & Snellman, Finland’s oldest law firm at 122 years, likes to think of itself as a firm of principles.
Drill seekers

1 February 2010

Known more for flatlands than its peaks and troughs, you must look west to find all the real energy in Canada’s business landscape.
Wikborg Rein ships in trio for City English law practice

1 February 2010

Wikborg Rein has become the first Norwegian firm to practise English law in the City after adding three maritime partners to its London office.
Ireland's National Assets Management Agency unveils 64-strong legal panel

27-Jan-2010

More than 60 Irish firms, including Arthur Cox and William Fry, have been appointed to a panel to advise the National Assets Management Agency (Nama).
Acquiring the funds

25 January 2010

After running the gauntlet of Madoff and the recession, Ireland is banking on the funds industry to help it get back to winning ways.
UGGC builds on Doha move with launch of Ras Al Khaimah outpost

25 January 2010

French independent firm UGGC & Associés has expanded into lesser-known emirate Ras Al Khaimah following its entry into Doha last year.
White & Case lawyer goes solo in Mexico

25 January 2010

A former department head at White & Case has left the firm to set up a boutique with his two sons in Mexico.
Lincolnshire's Wilkin Chapman boosts revenues with local merger

21-Jan-2010

Lincolnshire firm Wilkin Chapman and Grimsby’s Grange Wintringham are to merge, creating a firm with a combined turnover of £15m.
Links and Shearman advise on €4bn UniCredit rights issue

21-Jan-2010

Linklaters and Shearman & Sterling have landed lead roles on UniCredit’s €4bn (£3.48bn) rights issue.
Vodafone names former Reuters legal chief as next GC

21-Jan-2010

Vodafone Group has appointed a new general counsel to replace Stephen Scott, who is to retire after 30 years with the phone company.
DLA, Freshfields and Jones Day score roles on sale of West Ham

19-Jan-2010

DLA Piper, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Jones Day have all netted roles on the sale of West Ham United FC sale to former Birmingham City FC owners David Gold and David Sullivan.
Salans gains one new London partner in global promotions round

18-Jan-2010

Salans has promoted one partner in London as part of a worldwide round that saw nine partners made up to the partnership.
The Baltic triangle

18 January 2010

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania may be viewed as one by outsiders, and indeed often act as one when it comes to business, but each brings something different to the table.
White & Case sends London partner to head Singapore arbitration practice

14-Jan-2010

White & Case has launched an international arbitration practice in Singapore with a team of four lawyers.
Pillsbury posts drops in revenue and profit for 2009

13-Jan-2010

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman has posted its end of year financial results, revealing a dip in the firm’s revenue but no change to individual partners’ take home pay.
Tiger Woods' UK lawyer quits Schillings

12-Jan-2010

Schillings partner Simon Smith has left the media boutique weeks after winning a controversial injunction on behalf of golfer Tiger Woods.
Pitchford J joins Court of Appeal

11-Jan-2010

Mr Justice Pitchford is to join the bench in the Court of Appeal as successor to Lord Justice Scott Baker, who has retired.
Brussels lobby firm hires former Monsanto chair as partner

7-Jan-2010

Brussels-based EU lobbying firm Alber & Geiger has hired the former chairman of agricultural biotechnology company Monsanto chairman Bernard Auxenfans.
Italy's Gianni prepares for Abu Dhabi launch

4-Jan-2010

Italian firm Gianni Origoni Grippo & Partners is looking to expand its international footprint with an Abu Dhabi launch pencilled in for this year.
Eastern block

4 January 2010

Against a backdrop of financial and political upheaval, the established local firms in Romania are proving formidable opponents to the international players in the battle for the choicest mandates.
Salans, Freshfields win seats on Habitat sale

22-Dec-2009

Salans and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer advised the buyer and vendor, respectively, in Habitat’s sale to turnaround fund Hilco UK.
Shearman promotes one in London as seven make partnership cut

17-Dec-2009

Shearman & Sterling has made up seven partners across five offices: Abu Dhabi, Düsseldorf, London, New York and Paris.
Cleary and CC seal antitrust victory with Microsoft climb-down

17-Dec-2009

The European Commission has ended its antitrust case against Microsoft after the software developer agreed to market other web browsers, signalling victory for the complainants and advisers Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton and Clifford Chance.
Kremlin sacks another official in wake of lawyer’s jail death

17-Dec-2009

Another high-ranking Russian government official has been sacked following the investigation into the death of Russian Lawyer Sergey Magnitsky.
London firm offers divorce vouchers for Christmas

16-Dec-2009

London firm Lloyd Platt & Company is offering divorce gift vouchers to entice clients.
Mourant taps Maples for Cayman funds partner

15-Dec-2009

Offshore firm Mourant du Feu & Jeune has hired an investment funds partner from local rival Maples and Calder, as the firm seeks a bigger market share in the Cayman Islands.
Romania's Tuca opens in Spain with Garrigues’ former CEE chief

15-Dec-2009

Tuca Zbârcea & Asociatii has become the first Romanian firmto open in Spain after teaming up with Garrigues’ former Central and Eastern Europe head and a former Spanish ambassador to Romania.
Camerons chief hints at future integration

14 December 2009

One year after the integration of CMS Russia, CMS Cameron McKenna managing partner Duncan Weston has not ruled out exporting the model across the network.
Raft of Moscow prison officials sacked following jail death of lawyer

11-Dec-2009

The head of Moscow’s Federal Penitentiary Service has been sacked along with 20 other high-ranking prison officials after an investigation into the death of Russian lawyer Sergey Magnitsky.
Cuatrecasas advises bank syndicate on Ferrovial's debt restructuring

10-Dec-2009

Spanish firm Cuatrecasas Gonçalves Pereira has advised a syndicate of 40 banks, led by BBVA, on the restructuring of construction company Ferrovial’s €3.3bn (£2.99m) debt.
Herbies faces court action from former associate in Paris

8-Dec-2009

Herbert Smith Paris is being targeted for an action before the Paris Criminal Court for allegedly illegally employing an associate.
Dewey secures victory for HP over Russian cartel allegations

7 December 2009

Dewey & LeBoeuf’s Moscow office has successfully defended Hewlett-Packard (HP) against cartel allegations in Russia.
CMS Russia chops 29 fee-earners a year after integration of firm

4-Dec-2009

CMS Russia has slashed 61 jobs, including 29 fee-earning roles, almost exactly a year since three CMS firms merged their Moscow operations.
Magisters taps CMS Russia for projects chief

3-Dec-2009

Magisters’ Moscow office has turned to local rival CMS Russia for the hire of a CIS-wide head of projects.
Jailed lawyer’s death casts shadow on Russian justice

30 November 2009

News of the death of a Russian lawyer being held in custody without trial in Moscow has been met with sadness and wrath from the legal community.
Onwards and upwards

30 November 2009

Yorkshire’s investment in technology and manufacturing means the region’s law firms are escaping the worst effects of the recession. By James Swift
Partner departures force Proskauer Rose to abandon full-service model

30 November 2009

After losing its construction and projects lawyers, Proskauer Rose, Paris, will retreat from full service to focus on its corporate practice, according to the office’s head of corporate.
Mayer Brown boosts Paris disputes team with Ayela merger

26-Nov-2009

Mayer Brown Paris has merged with litigation boutique Ayela Semerdjian & Associés, adding seven lawyers to its dispute resolution department.
Russian authorities to launch probe into death of Hermitage Capital lawyer

25-Nov-2009

Russian president Dmitry Medvedev has ordered an investigation into the death of a Russian lawyer who died in custody.
Dig the new Swede

23 November 2009

The Swedish legal market has become a hotbed of change as lawyers switch firms and gain the confidence to launch spin-offs. By James Swift
French and Spanish firms aim to give Gide a run for its money in Morocco

23 November 2009

Morocco may be pushing hard for UK investors, but it is the French and Spanish firms that are making their mark on the emerging region.
Kalo & Associates

23 November 2009

“For 25 years we didn’t really have a legal practice in Albania because the state thought it was best that prosecutors also advised the defendant,” says Përparim Kalo, managing partner at Kalo & Associates. “So lawyers weren’t really needed until 1991, when a new bill established the Ministry of Justice.”
Beiten Burkhardt welcomes 15 to partnership, three to equity

19-Nov-2009

German firm Beiten Burkhardt has made up 15 lawyers to salaried partner status while a further three have entered the equity in the firm’s latest round of promotions.
Dewey snares role on 2009’s biggest European flotation

16 November 2009

Dewey & LeBoeuf has bagged a role on the largest European IPO this year, acting for Polish energy group Polska Grupa Energetyczna (PGE) on its heavily oversubscribed Zl6bn (£1.26bn) flotation.
New Jeantet Med head to launch in Casablanca

16 November 2009

JeantetAssociés is set to launch an office in Casablanca after hiring a corporate partner from fellow French firm Brandford-Griffith & Associés.
Nine-strong CIS legal network gets off ground

16 November 2009

A nine-member CIS network that launched at the beginning of November is planning to bring the alliance model into the 21st century, according to its chair.
Aussie firm Blake Dawson vows no UK merger is on the cards

13-Nov-2009

Australian firm Blake Dawson has dismissed the possibility of a merger with a UK firm, instead pledging to focus its attentions on Asia.
Partners from Proskauer and Salans form Paris litigation independent

13-Nov-2009

A group of partners from Proskauer Rose and Salans have combined to create a 31-lawyer independent law firm in France.
Germany's Graf appoints new management team

12-Nov-2009

German firm Graf von Westphalen has appointed a new dual management team to succeed Freiburg partner Barbara Mayer and Hamburg partner Carsten Bittner.
Cuatrecasas lawyer mourns end of 'Beckham Law'

6-Nov-2009

A partner at Cuatrecasas has criticised the Spanish government for announcing that it will abandon the so-called ‘Beckham Law’, which allows star footballers and other wealthy workers coming into the country to pay almost half the going tax rate.
Sweden's Vinge calls time on London presence

5-Nov-2009

Swedish firm Vinge has closed its London office after deciding not to renew the lease on its New Bond Street office after it expired on 19 October.
P&A Legal sets up in Libya as Gaddafi govt opens doors to foreign investors

02 November 2009

Italian firm P&A Legal is set to formally launch in Libya after being granted a licence by the Gaddafi government.
Field Fisher Brussels welcomes partner from A&O while losing team to Stibbe

29-Oct-2009

Field Fisher Waterhouse (FFW) is bolstering its Brussels office with the addition of an Allen & Overy (A&O) counsel as a five-lawyer team prepares to defect to Herbert Smith best friend Stibbe.

The LawyerJames Swift Editorial

The Lawyer
James Swift Editorial