Kit Chellel
The Lawyer
City brokers ‘poaching’ case gets underway in High Court
A number of firms have been called in to act on a bitter High Court dispute over the mass defection of City brokers to a rival company.
Focus: Linklaters, Making both ends neat
The collapse of Lehman couldn’t fail to bring back memories of Enron: both were massive companies, both were gone in a matter of weeks - and Linklaters was there to oversee both administrations
RPC brings in BLP man to boost tax disputes
Reynolds Porter Chamberlain (RPC) has hired a new head of tax disputes from Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP).
Lehman's UK legal advice costs £60m in first year
The legal advisers acting on the administration of Lehman Brothers in the UK have racked up $112m (£60.5m) in fees during the last year.
Bakers remembers former London head
Baker & McKenzie has paid tribute to its former London managing partner Russell Lewin, who died last week aged 51.
Lawyers hail corporate as most promising area
Corporate and litigation lawyers are the most likely to see an upsurge in work over the next six months, according to a survey of City partners carried out by search firm Nicholas Scott.
Max Property Group calls on Taylor Wessing to secure Industrious assets
Clifford Chance, Olswang and Taylor Wessing all won roles on Max Property Group’s £232m acquisition of a real estate portfolio from the failed Industrious Group.
Penningtons increases partnership by four
Penningtons Solicitors has picked up four new partners, with lateral hires to its banking, corporate, property and family law departments.
Simmons goes live with outsourcing project
Simmons & Simmons has launched an innovative legal process outsourcing (LPO) scheme, six months after pinpointing LPO as a key part of its strategy.
Ashurst and Herbies advise on JJB rights issue
Ashurst and Herbert Smith have secured the top advisory roles in the proposed £100m rights issue by retail chain JJB Sports.
United London councils unveil first legal panel
Sixteen firms have won places on the first London Boroughs Legal Alliance (LBLA) panel ahead of its official launch on Thursday (15 October).
Bakers pays tribute to former London chief Russell Lewin
Baker & McKenzie has paid tribute to its former London managing partner Russell Lewin, who died yesterday aged 51.
Linklaters sets up Dutch litigation practice with local partner hire
Linklaters is to launch a litigation practice in the Netherlands with the hire of NautaDutilh partner Daniella Strik.
Blake Lapthorn seeks merger for PEP boost
South coast firm Blake Lapthorn has set its sights on a merger as it attempts to bounce back from a dramatic fall in profitability.
Firms vie to advise London boroughs
The London Boroughs Legal Alliance (LBLA) is set to unveil its first law firm panel, with the successful candidates in line for a windfall from the group’s six local authority members.
Kinstellar poaches Links finance partner
Kinstellar has raided legacy firm Linklaters, hiring London-based finance partner Charles Dunn.
Slaughters faces £200K negligence action
Slaughter and May is being sued for alleged negligence and breach of contract by a client that claims the firm drafted a faulty licence agreement.
Links and Slaughters win roles on Ladbrokes rights issue
Linklaters and Slaughter and May have been called in to act on a £275m rights issue by betting group Ladbrokes.
Freshfields revamps corporate management as Braham takes the reins
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has re-shuffled its corporate leadership following the appointment of Ed Braham as global head of corporate in July.
Competition class actions suffer setback as EU shuns directive
An EU draft directive on competition law that could have brought an influx of US-style class actions to the UK has been withdrawn.
Appleby merger creates offshore giant
Appleby has completed its merger with Isle of Man firm Dickinson Cruickshank, creating the world’s largest offshore firm.
BLP, Shearman lose ORR panel places
The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) has dropped Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) and Shearman & Sterling from its new-look panel.
Permira calls on CC for spinoff Avalon’s first investment
Clifford Chance has underscored its relationship with Permira, advising the private equity house on a £225m deal to take life insurer Just Retirement off of AIM.
Private equity phoenix set to rise from ashes in New Year bonanza
UK law firms anticipate a much-needed resurgence in the industry. By Kit Chellel
Slaughters in talks over outsourcing plans
Move hailed as ‘watershed moment’ as LPO trend spreads to City elite
Slaughters prepares to close Paris office
Slaughter and May is gearing up to close its Paris office in April next year.
Firms to fight for places on merged Lloyds-HBOS panel
Linklaters, A&O in line to win roles on coveted combined bank roster
Focus: DLA Piper: Bob slay?
DLA Piper’s finance and projects lawyers are going to have to prove their worth to incoming chief Bob Charlton - after all, they saw what happened at Freshfields
Lend Lease counsel joins council after Bovis merger
Lend Lease Projects head of legal Martin Hirst has left the company for a new post at Northamptonshire County Council.
Norton Rose, City Law drive BMW’s sale of F1 race team
Norton Rose and corporate boutique City Law have won instructions on a deal to secure the future of the BMW Sauber Formula 1 (F1) team.
Novartis cuts global firms in country-specific focus
Novartis has opted for a streamlined global panel following a major review of legal services at the pharmaceutical giant.
Recession sees fixed fees become par for the course
News that hourly rates have fallen by up to a third has reignited the debate about how companies pay for legal services.
Seddons rolls out commission-only pay
West End firm Seddons has become the latest firm to offer commission-only pay deals for lawyers as part of a trend that would have been unthinkable before the recession.
Trowers and CC negotiate sale of The Stafford Hotel
The Stafford Hotel, home to the famous American Bar in Mayfair, has been sold to an Egyptian investment group, leading to instructions for Clifford Chance and Trowers & Hamlins.
DLA and Herbies win spots on UBS's latest panel
UBS has chosen eight firms for its new-look global panel, with Herbert Smith and DLA Piper new appointments to the list.
Lawyers charged with insider dealing to stand trial
The two lawyers charged with insider trading by the FSA have been committed to stand trial at the Crown Court.
A life in books: Maya Abu Deeb, Bloomsbury Publishing
As general counsel for Harry Potter publisher Bloomsbury, Maya Abu Deeb enjoys a literary life that makes up for the late nights. By Kit Chellel
FFW aids Sovereign allay shareholder revolt
Field Fisher Waterhouse (FFW) has helped AIM-listed property investment fund Sovereign Reversions see off a shareholder revolt and secure a capital injection through a share placing and open offer.
Linklaters closes doors on final salary pensions
Linklaters is set to close its final salary pension scheme and transfer members to the contribution-based plan used by the vast majority of the firm’s employees.
Links, Norton Rose, Slaughters act on Thomas Cook share sale
Linklaters, Norton Rose and Slaughter and May have secured roles on the £900m share placing of a 44 per cent stake in tour operator Thomas Cook.
Magic circle hourly rates drop by third as clients flex muscles
Annual fee rates survey shows work-hungry top guns drop fees to £450 as they raid mid-market for business
Magic circle muscles in on silver circle with fee drops and 'freebies'
The fees bubble has finally burst, with top-end hourly rates falling by 30 per cent or more as the financial crisis finally catches up with legal bills.
Plight club
Last year we identified a group of firms facing significant challenges. Kit Chellel returns to the ‘problem firms’ to see what difference a year makes
West assured
Diminishing corporate and real estate deals have taken the biggest toll on the West End players, but as Kit Chellel finds, a fighting spirit prevails
When the magic has gone
Linklaters is now top dog in the UK and Clifford Chance has been pushed down to third place. Kit Chellel reports on the battle for supremacy among the UK elite
Bircham puts projects growth top of wish list
Bircham Dyson Bell has prioritised growing its commercial projects team and has recruited DLA Piper partner Nick Maltby to head the group.
Braham faces high expectations as Freshfields’ global corporate head
Can Ed Braham balance the needs of London, Germany and his clients? asks Kit Chellel
DLA in heavyweight hire for finance rejig
DLA Piper has hired former Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer finance chief Bob Charlton to oversee a shake- up of the international finance and projects (F&P) department.
Law firms join Lawyers for Young People access to justice scheme
A group of law firms has signed up to a new service aimed at giving young people access to legal advice.
Links matches Slaughters’ FTSE lead
Linklaters has caught up with Slaughter and May as the top legal adviser for FTSE100 companies.
Pinsents lures Ashurst transport chief
Pinsent Masons has poached Ashurst head of transport Raymond Beven, who joins the firm as a partner in London.
Brabners dominates top football deals as transfer season ends
North west firm Brabners Chaffe Street has scored a role in some of the summer’s biggest football transfers, including the world record £80m sale of Christiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid.
Linklaters tops FTSE list for first time
Linklaters has joined Slaughter and May as the top legal adviser to FTSE 100 companies.
Former Freshfields finance chief surfaces at DMH
Former Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer head of finance Perry Noble has joined DMH Stallard as a consultant.
Rare AIM deal sparks market optimism at Covington, Dorsey
Dorsey & Whitney and Covington & Burling were the key legal advisers in the AIM flotation of Indian Energy, only the fourth company to be admitted to the alternative market this year.late
Camerons draws up future battle plans
?CMS Cameron McKenna has created business responses for three potential scenarios as it prepares for a challenging year ahead.
City duo seals Storm deal for Spice Girls manager
Simon Fuller’s celebrity management agency 19 Entertainment has bought a majority stake in the Storm model agency, leading to instructions for Charles Russell and Field Fisher Waterhouse (FFW).
Clifford Chance steals a march on Links over Montagu sell-off
Clifford Chance has muscled in on Linklaters’ client Montagu Private Equity by acting on a rare leveraged buyout in Germany.
DLA Piper brings in ex-Linklaters partner
?DLA Piper has hired former Linklaters corporate partner Jon Hayes. Hayes’ practice focuses on international M&A and capital markets advisory work. At DLA Piper he will work alongside the firm’s Europe, Middle East and Africa corporate head Juan Picon and will focus on strengthening relationships with Asian clients. ...
FFW unveils alternative to partner position
?Field Fisher Waterhouse (FFW) has introduced a new career path for senior associates as an alternative to partnership.
Former MTV legal duo bag News Corp, Arsenal posts
?Two alumni of MTV Europe’s legal team have landed new jobs in recent weeks, with Andrea Appella taking a role at News Corporation and Svenja Geissmar becoming Arsenal FC’s first general counsel.
Macfarlanes makes surprise laterals to grow restructuring, litigation nous
Macfarlanes has made the first double partner hire in its history, taking on restructuring specialist Francis Bridgeman from Allen & Overy (A&O) and litigator Barry Donnelly from Jones Day.
Norton Rose puts US high on agenda
Norton Rose has stepped up its pursuit of a US merger following its June tie-up with Australian firm Deacons. And the firm has now widened its search beyond the confines of New York.
Revealed: gloomy prospects fail to deter wannabe partners
YouGov survey finds greater proportion of junior lawyers coveting partnership in year that promotions nosedive
Rose from the ashes
From an explosive setback in the 1990s, the past decade has seen Norton Rose consolidate its business - yet its key overseas ambitions remain a work in progress
Travers’ chief-to-be takes Indian sabbatical
?Travers Smith’s incoming managing partner Andrew Lilley, who takes over from Chris Carroll in January, will take a five-week break during October and November to work at Ashray Akrutia, a school for the deaf in India. Adopt A Business, a UK company that organises sabbaticals for professionals, arranged the sabbatical for Lilley, who will apply his business expertise to running the school. Travers ...
Linklaters retains crown as UK's largest corporate practice
Linklaters has retained its place as the largest corporate practice in the UK, according to figures compiled for The Lawyer’s UK 200 Annual Report 2009.
Burges Salmon to cut 31 jobs in second redundancy round
Burges Salmon is set to make up to 27 business services staff and four property lawyers redundant as part of the second phase of its internal restructuring.
Arsenal hires former MTV GC as first legal chief
Arsenal Football Club has appointed former MTV lawyer Svenja Geissmar as its first general counsel.
Linklaters, Slaughters act as Resolution finally wins Friends Provident
Linklaters and Slaughter and May have taken the key advisory roles as Resolution completes its £1.86bn takeover of Friends Provident.
Band on the run
Christa Band is moving from one of the City’s top dispute resolution teams to Linklaters’ much less visible litigation practice. The magic circle firm must be changing its strategy, says Kit Chellel
Customs made
HM Revenue & Customs general counsel Anthony Inglese is a government lawyer through and through.
DLA Piper relaxes grip on equity with 8 per cent partner increase
DLA Piper has expanded its traditionally tight equity during the past year, with the number of equity partners at the firm rising by almost 8 per cent.
Freshfields’ banking ambition takes further knock as duo quits
Just one day after TheLawyer.com reported (3 August) that Maurice Allen and Mike Goetz were leaving Freshfields Bruckhaus Derigner, a headhunter was already emailing senior City banking lawyers about a position that was available in a firm with a £1.44m average profit per equity partner (PEP) - the exact number that Freshfields posted this year.
Lovells scoops top Government litigation pilot
HM Revenue & Customs has handed Lovells a major tax litigation project, the first time the department has outsourced an entire case to an external law firm.
Lawyers accused of insider dealing to challenge FSA's case
The partners at the centre of an insider trading investigation have opted for an old style committal hearing, signalling that they intend to challenge the Financial Services Authority (FSA) over whether there is enough evidence to bring the case to trial.
Linklaters hires Herbies litigation star Christa Band
Linklaters has hired litigation star Christa Band from Herbert Smith.
Blake Lapthorn PEP woes kill off lockstep
Blake Lapthorn has abandoned its lockstep after its average profit per equity partner (PEP) figure fell by 68 per cent last year, dropping to £65,000 from last year’s £204,000.
Corby pollution victims win High Court battle
A second major case to be funded by the private sector has been successful in the High Court, with victims of toxic pollution in Northamptonshire winning a case against Corby Borough Council.
FFW takes centre stage in Kangaroo’s sale to Arqiva
Clifford Chance and Field Fisher Waterhouse (FFW) have advised on the sale of a TV-on-demand service set up to show BBC, ITV and Channel 4 programmes on the internet.
Focus: Blake Lapthorn, Staying alive
With PEP plummeting by 70 per cent, Blake Lapthorn is going to have to stop the rot. Is Walter Cha the man for the job?
Hempsons establishes Newcastle practice
Healthcare firm Hempsons is to launch an office in Newcastle to open in September 2009.
Norton Rose apes KPMG again with Swiss Verein
Norton Rose is set to reorganise its global business within the Swiss Verein structure used by accountancy firms Deloitte and KPMG.
Norton Rose Singapore buoyed by City, HK gains
Norton Rose has boosted its Singapore practice by relocating two partners to the country.
UKIBC appoints Eversheds partner
Eversheds partner Gauri Advani has been appointed to the board of the UK India Business Council (UKIBC).
Freshfields names London partner as global corporate chief
London corporate partner Ed Braham has been appointed as global head of corporate at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.
Taylor Wessing promotes 17 to the partnership
Taylor Wessing has defied the economic slump by promoting 17 associates to its partnership, as many as Clifford Chance.
Clifford Chance and Farrers help England stage Rugby World Cup
Clifford Chance and Farrer & Co have advised on the Rugby Football Union’s (RFU) successful bid to host the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England.
Law Society to students: legal career may be too risky
The Law Society is set to launch a campaign warning students to think twice about embarking on a career in law.
McGrigors helps Iraqi government access development funds
McGrigors and Erskine Chambers have helped the Iraqi government recover millions of dollars tied up in a UK trust for nearly 20 years.
Bank of America names new global GC
Mark Elliott has been appointed as global general counsel for commodities at Bank of America Merrill Lynch.
Birmingham Council gets director of legal services
Birmingham City Council has restructured its legal team, appointing David Tatlow to the newly created role of director of legal services.
Blake Lapthorn PEP sinks to associate level
Equity partners average £65,000 - less than their fixed-share comrades
DLA Piper appoints interim Paris head
DLA Piper has chosen Brussels- based partner Steven De Keyser to head its Paris office following Bruce Mee’s retirement from the role.
DLA Piper chief exec’s pay packet £100K lighter
DLA Piper chief executive Sir Nigel Knowles has taken a paycut of £100,000 following a challenging calendar year for the world’s largest firm by headcount.
Gide and Links handle Mechel debt manipulation
Russian steel giant Mechel has secured a deal to refinance $2.6bn (£1.58bn) of its short-term debt, leading to mandates for Gide Loyrette Nouel and Linklaters.
Govt report suggests law is the preserve of the wealthiest
The new government report on social mobility, which singles out the legal profession as being closed to those from poorer backgrounds, sparked a predictable backlash on TheLawyer.com.
Linklaters scores von Bismarck fillip in Germany
Linklaters’ hire of ex-Clifford Chance partner Kolja von Bismarck has transformed the German restructuring market at a stroke.
New Taylor Wessing head embraces change
Taylor Wessing’s new managing partner Tim Eyles has set up a ‘change group’ to look into opportunities arising from the Legal Services Act (LSA).
Cost of LSA sees practising certificate fee rocket
The Law Society has hiked the cost of a practising certificate by nearly 20 per cent to £1,180 a year.
Neuberger LJ to be Master of the Rolls
Lord David Neuberger has been appointed as the 95th Master of the Rolls (MR), to take over from incumbent Anthony Clarke who joins the Supreme Court in October.
Milburn: the law is too elitist
A new government paper has called on the legal industry to remove the barriers preventing those from poorer backgrounds joining the profession.
Linklaters casts off ‘New World’ moniker
Linklaters has abandoned its ‘New World’ moniker in the wake of its controversial restructuring programme.
Osborne Clarke’s financials tumble
Bristol-headquartered Osborne Clarke has seen significant falls in both turnover and profitability during the last financial year.
Simmons in dramatic U-turn as PEP drops
Simmons & Simmons has been hit by a 19.6 per cent drop in average profit per equity partner (PEP) after seeing four consecutive years of growth.
Sun, fees and sand
Cyprus is already a hit with holidaymakers, but its favourable tax regime is also attracting foreign investment to the island, says Kit Chellel
The great divide
The split between the Greek and Turkish parts of Cyprus brings no end of difficulties for the island’s lawyers, who say it’s time to unite. By Kit Chellel
Burges Salmon's PEP beats Osborne Clarke's despite 23 per cent fall
Bristol headquartered Burges Salmon has overtaken local rival Osborne Clarke in terms of average profit per equity partner (PEP).
Nineteen jobs go at Pinsents as PEP falls 38 per cent
Pinsent Masons has reported a 38 per cent fall in average profits per equity partner (PEP) as the firm reveals a package of measures in response to challenging market conditions.
Osborne Clarke sees PEP plummet as turnover drops 12 per cent
Bristol headquartered Osborne Clarke has seen significant falls in both turnover and profitability during the last financial year.
Simmons' PEP drops 20 per cent, turnover remains stagnant
Simmons & Simmons has been hit by a 19.6 per cent drop in average profit per equity partner (PEP) after seeing four consecutive years of growth.
Linklaters retains 80 per cent of September NQs
Linklaters has offered jobs to nearly 80 per cent of its trainees, the highest retention rate in the magic circle.
Nationwide unveils five firms for first panel
Nationwide Building Society has unveiled its first general panel, with places for Allen & Overy, Burges Salmon, Eversheds, Nabarro and Olswang.
Bristol’s Veale Wasbrough set for City merger
Bristol firm Veale Wasbrough has taken its first steps into the London market by seeking a merger with 17-partner City firm Vizards Tweedie.
FFW hire kicks off Paris office restoration
Field Fisher Waterhouse (FFW) has started rebuilding its Paris office with the hire of corporate partner Christopher Mesnooh.
Magic circle trio in running for £2bn T-Mobile takeover brief
A number of UK firms are lining up places on Vodafone’s potential £2bn bid for T-Mobile UK, with Allen & Overy (A&O), Clifford Chance and Linklaters the names most clearly in the frame.
Reed Smith partner makes CC panel switch
Reed Smith competition partner Katherine Holmes has left the firm to take up a position at the Competition Commission.
Rio Tinto calls on Sullivan to offload Alcan business
Baker & McKenzie and Sullivan & Cromwell have won lead roles on Rio Tinto’s $1.2bn (£740m) sale of its US packaging business.
Sir Gordon Langley to chair Takeover Panel
Former High Court judge Sir Gordon Langley has been appointed as chairman of the Takeover Panel.
T-Mobile delays panel review as market awaits Vodafone bid
T-Mobile has put its panel review on ice as it weighs up a potential deal with Vodafone.
UK firms mull tax year shift to stave off 50 per cent top rate
DLA Piper leads the pack as top City firms examine alternatives to Labour’s new tax regime
Veale Wasbrough in merger talks with Vizards Tweedie for London launch
Bristol firm Veale Wasbrough has taken its first steps into the London market by seeking a tie-up with 17 -partner City firm Vizards Tweedie.
Taylor Wessing PEP drops by a third as turnover inches ahead
Taylor Wessing has announced a fall in average profit per equity partner (PEP) of 29 per cent for the 2008-09 financial year.
Barclays severs Links from three panels
Linklaters has been dropped from three Barclays panels a year after siding with the bank in litigation that destroyed its relationship with JPMorgan.
FFW, Stephensons to cover Tottel’s takeover by Bloomsbury Publishing
Bloomsbury Publishing has agreed to buy Tottel Publishing, leading to instructions for Field Fisher Waterhouse (FFW) and Stephenson Harwood.
Law Soc diversity charter set to publish participating firms’ data
Some 30 firms that are signing up to the Law Society’s new diversity charter will have to publish detailed statistics on diversity for the first time.
Links TMT/IP chief quits for dual roles
Linklaters’ global head of technology, media and telecoms (TMT) and IP has left the firm to take up roles with Bird & Bird and Chinese healthcare group Sinocare.
Memery Crystal makes the cut for King of Shaves
Memery Crystal has won a mandate advising King of Shaves on its groundbreaking bond issuance programme.
Ofcom sparks Herbies vs Ashurst battle in case where Sky’s the limit
The legal wranglings surrounding Sky’s pricing policies are sure to be a great watch. By Kit Chellel
Linklaters is UK's biggest firm after edging past Freshfields
Linklaters has become the largest UK firm by revenue, posting £1.3bn for the 2008-09 financial year and beating Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer by just £11m.
Freshfields overtakes CC with turnover of £1.29bn
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has trumped Clifford Chance in turnover terms, posting revenue of £1.29bn for the 2008-09 financial year.
Linklaters loses its grip on Barclays as bank announces revamped panel
Linklaters has lost almost half its panel places on Barclays’ revamped roster of legal advisers while Addleshaw Goddard has increased its presence on the panel, winning four additional places.
BLP boosts litigation practice with Clifford Chance hire
Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has continued its recent hiring spree, taking on Clifford Chance litigation partner Nicholas Fletcher.
Linklaters names partner duo to head China practice
Linklaters has selected two partners to jointly run its China practice, taking over from Zili Shao who has been promoted to Asia managing partner.
Edwin Coe turnover edges up, profit drops by 20 per cent
Edwin Coe has seen average profit per equity partner (PEP) drop nearly 20 per cent during the last year.
Brit’s bid for Chaucer brings in Macfarlanes, Norton Rose
Macfarlanes and Norton Rose have been called in to advise on the potential merger of Lloyd’s insurers Brit Insurance and Chaucer Holdings.
Camerons cuts 73 jobs
CMS Cameron McKenna has laid off 73 staff at the end of its redundancy consultation.
Cripps is latest to roll out four-day week
South East firm Cripps Harries Hall has become the latest to implement a four-day work week in a bid to stave off redundancies.
Italy chief joins Simmons' strategic board
Simmons & Simmons has appointed Italy chief Marco Franzini to the strategic board, replacing Pedro Rebelo de Sousa, who is spinning off the firm’s Portuguese operations.
Norton Rose-Deacons merger: UK firm pinpoints Asia without diluting profit
Norton Rose, which last Tuesday won Law Firm of the Year at The Lawyer Awards, announced a tie-up with Australian firm Deacons the same day in a bid to jumpstart its Asia expansion plans.
Withers fails to prevent Forsters raid
Forsters has completed its four-partner raid on Withers despite legal wrangling over the departures.
Legrand takes helm as DLA senior partner for EMEA
DLA Piper has appointed litigator Janet Legrand as new senior partner for Europe and Asia.
Micklethwaite leaves Gherson for Brown Rudnick
Immigration and human rights boutique Gherson’s commercial litigation team, headed by partner Neil Micklethwaite, is joining the London office of Brown Rudnick.
CMS toasts alliance’s first year as most members escape worst effects of slump
A year after voting for closer integration, the nine firms in the CMS network have hailed the progress of the alliance a success.
Councils emulate private practice models in modernisation drive
Local authority lawyers are embracing private practice methods as the sector faces increasing pressure to modernise
Dickinson Dees lures County Durham’s head of legal
The interim head of legal at Durham County Council has left to set up a dedicated public law group at Dickinson Dees.
Growing football reputation puts Glazer cherry on top for Freshfields
The Premier League continues to attract foreign investors in need of expert legal advice.
Hammonds shown half-time red card during Portsmouth FC talks
The consortium attempting to take control of Portsmouth Football Club has dumped legal adviser Hammonds midway through the bidding process.
Linklaters scoops Community Mark
Linklaters has followed up its success in the Business in the Community (BitC) CSR [corporate social responsibility] Charter by becoming the first law firm to be awarded the Community Mark. Linklaters was one of nine organisations to be given the award, which is assessed by BitC and endorsed by the Prime Minister. The firm spends 0.5 per cent of its pre-tax profit on community schemes, such as the ‘Link ...
Southwark belles
With a raft of issues in her own back yard, Southwark’s legal chief Deborah Collins keeps her team’s focus local.
Field Fisher predicts profit slump despite rise in turnover
Fisher Fisher Waterhouse has seen its turnover increase by 8 per cent during the 2008-09 financial year, but has warned that it is expecting profits to fall.
DLA Piper reshapes partnership make-up
Five DLA Piper partners left the partnership last month as the firm continues to reshape its UK practice.
DLA Piper, Eversheds and Linklaters attain silver standard in CSR charter
The presence of three law firms on the Business in the Community Corporate Responsibility Charter 2008 is good news for the profession.
Santander merger sees A&L lawyer quit
Alliance & Leicester (A&L) head of corporate and commercial law Raj Singh-Dehal has left the company in the wake of its merger with Santander.
Stephensons' financials stand firm
Stephenson Harwood has announced its financial results, with both revenue and profit remaining close to last year’s levels.
Profits dip at Norton Rose but turnover edges up
Norton Rose’s average profit per equity partner (PEP) figure fell by 17 per cent in the 2008-09 financial year, due in part to the firm’s decision not to make any job cuts.
CC, Links join Skadden and Sullivan on £8.2bn Barclays sell-off
Clifford Chance, Linklaters, Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom and Sullivan & Cromwell have led the legal advisers on the $13.5bn (£8.2bn) sale of Barclays Global Investors (BGI) to BlackRock.
Macfarlanes launches second round of redundancy talks
City firm Macfarlanes has launched a fresh redundancy consultation for support staff.
DLA, Eversheds and Links win corporate responsibility plaudits
DLA Piper, Eversheds and Linklaters have won a place in an index ranking organisations by their commitment to corporate responsibility (CR).
DLA Piper trims partnership as reshaping continues
Five DLA Piper partners left the partnership last month as the firm continues to reshape its practice in the UK.
4 Paper Buildings adds seven barristers
Family law set 4 Paper Buildings has taken on seven barristers from Renaissance Chambers, including leading family silk Henry Setright QC.
Camerons shoves through flexi-scheme
CMS Cameron McKenna has concluded voting on its flexi-working scheme, with 96 per cent of staff signing up.
CC, Freshfields stave off High Court case on Plus dispute
Clifford Chance and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer have helped resolve a competition dispute between the London Stock Exchange (LSE) and rival trading platform Plus, preventing the need for a High Court date in June.
FFW names new senior partner
Field Fisher Waterhouse (FFW) has appointed Nicholas Thompsell as senior partner.
Investment banks hike salaries for in-house lawyers
A number of City investment banks have raised salaries for in-house lawyers to offset precipitous falls in bonus payouts.
New-look Burges Salmon streamlines hierarchy
Burges Salmon has overhauled its leadership under new managing partner Chris Jackson.
Weil, Herbies help Cobra charm its way back to financial health
Herbert Smith and Weil Gotshal & Manges have won roles in the administration and subsequent rebirth of Cobra, the popular curry-house beer.
Linklaters stands by Swedish branch despite string of departures
The managing partner of Linklaters in Sweden has denied the office’s future is under threat despite suffering a steady stream of departures in the past year.
Herbert Smith wins key role on Rio Tinto deal
Herbert Smith has won a place alongside the regular advisers in a deal that will see mining giant Rio Tinto strike up a joint venture with rival BHP Billiton and raise $15.2bn (£9.37bn) in a rights issue.
Lovells axed from ING panel as Bakers and Norton Rose win places
Dutch financial group ING has axed Lovells and De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek from its global panel.
LDA slashes 10 firms from legal panel
The London Development Agency (LDA) has unveiled its streamlined legal panel, cutting its list of advisers from 18 to eight.
Seven-barrister team quits Renaissance Chambers for 4 Paper Buildings
Family law set 4 Paper Buildings has taken on seven barristers from Renaissance Chambers, including leading family silk Henry Setright QC.
A&O boosts Singapore with Venture Law bolt-on
Allen & Overy (A&O) has expanded its Singapore offering by merging with local firm and former White & Case ally Venture Law.
BMI chairman flies in Linklaters to force Lufthansa’s hand
BMI BRITISH Midland chairman Sir Michael Bishop has drafted in Linklaters to try to force rival airline Lufthansa to complete its planned takeover of the company.
Camerons gets flexi green light
CMS CAMERON McKenna has persuaded more than 90 per cent of its staff to sign up to its flexible working scheme, despite internal opposition to the plan.
Carmelite duo hit by MP expenses scandal
Two of the MPs embroiled in the expenses scandal are barristers practising with the same chambers.
Dentons makes partner cash call as it eyes tie-up
DENTON Wilde Sapte has called on partners to inject up to £90,000 of capital into the firm with a £1,000 per equity point cash call.
DLA Piper raids CC in insurance push
DLA Piper has hired Clifford Chance insurance litigation partner John Curran in a bid to expand its insurance litigation practice in London.
Links on Slaughters’ tail in FTSE race
LINKLATERS has closed the gap on Slaughter and May at the top of the FTSE100 adviser rankings.
Santander merges legal teams at high street banks
SPANISH bank Santander has merged the legal teams of Abbey and Alliance & Leicester (A&L) after announcing plans to ditch the two historic high street brands next year.
Travers’ new managing partner pledges to ride out recession
TRAVERS Smith’s incoming managing partner Andrew Lilley has pledged to continue the corporate firm’s policy of riding out the recession.
Travers Smith names employment head Lilley as next chief
Travers Smith has named a successor to managing partner Chris Carroll, handing the firm’s leadership to head of employment Andrew Lilley.
Former Linklaters lawyer joins Romanian spin-off
Linklaters’ Eastern European spin-off firm Kinstellar has expanded its Romania practice by hiring a former Linklaters lawyer.
Burges Salmon seals Lloyds TSB funding
Burges Salmon has reached an agreement with Lloyds TSB to continue funding its move into new headquarters in Bristol, following the collapse of property developer Castlemore. The agreement means that the firm will be able to move into its new home at One Glass Wharf as planned in the summer of 2010. Castlemore fell into administration in March, resulting in talks between Burges Salmon, Lloyds TSB ...
Camerons shrinks payoffs by 20% as 80 face the axe
CMS CAMERON McKenna slashed its redundancy package just months ahead of a major job cull that is likely to lead to the loss of 80 jobs
Dorsey & Whitney partner sacked after FSA inquiry
The Dorsey & Whitney partner at the heart of a Financial Services Authority (FSA) insider trading case has been sacked by the firm.
Focus: Unitary authorities: No county for old men
The launch of nine new unitary authorities has put the cosy world of the council lawyer on a collision course with the new, super-sized legal teams
Irwin Mitchell maintains stable promotions
Irwin Mitchell has made up four new partners, the same number as last year. Two of the promotions were in the personal injury division with the remaining two in the family law group. The firm has also promoted accountant Jon Raettig to associate director in the asset management team, where he has responsibility for the finance, administration and compliance functions. The new partners are: Ian Christian ...
Setanta: Dentons restructures while Olswang renegotiates
Denton Wilde Sapte and Olswang have won roles advising troubled sports broadcaster Setanta as it attempts to renegotiate broadcast rights and restructure its business.
Speechly breaks top 50 after Campbell Hooper merger
Speechly Bircham has merged with 23-partner West End outfit Campbell Hooper, propelling the firm into the top 50.
Thomas Eggar doubles partner promotions
South East firm Thomas Eggar has promoted four new partners, up from two last year. The new partners are: Sarah Phillips in tax, Garry Ramsden in aviation, Robert Kenyon in dispute resolution and David Fanchi in real estate. The firm has also promoted 10 new associates, compared with six in 2008. Managing partner Tony Edwards said: “These lawyers are at the forefront of the drive to establish ourselves ...
Profits down 15 per cent at Camerons as revenue remains steady
CMS Cameron McKenna has kicked off the financial reporting season by announcing a slight rise in turnover alongside a 15 per cent drop in its average profit per equity partner (PEP) figure.
Dorsey parts company with partner facing FSA charges
The Dorsey & Whitney partner at the heart of an FSA insider trading case has been sacked by the firm.
Travers shuns corporate in promotions round
M&A specialist Travers Smith has ignored its largest practice area in the annual promotions round.
FSA hits two US firm partners with insider dealing charges
A partner at the London office of Dorsey & Whitney and a former partner of McDermott Will & Emery have been charged with insider trading by the Financial Services Authority (FSA), it emerged today.
Links and Slaughters advise on Lloyds fundraising
Linklaters and Slaughter and May have been instructed on the £4bn share raising made by Lloyds TSB.
Ashurst and Herbert Smith bag Lonmin work
Herbert Smith and Ashurst have won places on the $457m (£303m) cash call made by platinum miner Lonmin.
Baker & McKenzie to shed 70 positions
Baker & McKenzie has concluded its redundancy consultation, resulting in the loss of 70 jobs.
Borough boy: Francis Fernandes, Northampton Borough Council
Public sector legal services have seen a revolution recently. Francis Fernandes tells Kit Chellel how he’s steering Northampton Borough Council through the modernisation
Burges Salmon partner joins police board
Burges Salmon commercial partner John Smith has left the firm to become chief executive of the Avon and Somerset Police Authority.
Dundas appoints non-executive chairman
Corporate partner David Hardie has been elected as non-executive chairman of Dundas & Wilson.
Eversheds gets Blackpool Council boot as duo step in
Blackpool Council has dropped Eversheds as its external legal partner and appointed Trowers & Hamlins and Weightmans.
Freshfields profits from crunch advice
Partners at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer bill up to £715 an hour for their work advising the Bank of England, The Lawyer has discovered after requesting the information under the Freedom of Information Act.
Herbert Smith and Simmons to fight it out on Bramdean row
Herbert Smith and Simmons & Simmons have been called in to advise on a dispute between fund manager Bramdean Alternatives and property tycoon Vincent Tchenguiz.
Linklaters to fork out £50m to leavers
Linklaters will have to pay up to £50m in compensation to departing partners, as new details emerge of the cost of the firm’s New World restructure.
Slaughters competition head quits for Competition Commission role
Slaughter and May’s head of competition Malcolm Nicholson has left the firm to join the Competition Commission.
Speechly in advanced talks with Campbell Hooper
Speechly Bircham is in the final stages of negotiating its takeover of 23-partner West End firm Campbell Hooper.
DLA Piper cuts 124 jobs at end of consultation
DLA Piper has concluded its redundancy consultation, leading to the loss of 124 jobs.
Blake Lapthorn launches London banking practice
Blake Lapthorn has launched a London banking practice after hiring Clyde & Co head of banking Claire Wheatley.
Herbies and Links advise as Centrica buys British Energy stake
Linklaters and Herbert Smith have won instructions in a £2.3bn deal that saw British Gas owner Centrica buy a 20 per cent stake in nuclear energy group British Energy.
Kent council sets up practice in Brussels
Kent County Council (KCC) is set to take the unusual step of launching a legal practice in Brussels.
Slaughters secures plum role on £700m 3i rights issue
Slaughter and May has won a choice instruction from 3i over its impending rights issue.
Speechly Bircham promotes four partners
Speechly Bircham has made up four new partners in its annual promotions round: Emma Bartlett and Tracy Eviogidis in employment, and Richard Hogwood and Sanjvee Shah in private client.
Wanted: a lawyer for Arsenal
Arsenal FC has begun the hunt for its first general counsel, following the growing number of clubs seeking to bolster their in-house legal capability.
Weightmans revenue rises four per cent
Insurance specialist Weightmans has unveiled a 4 per cent rise in revenue during the 2008-09 financial year.
Camerons joins flexi-bandwagon as 80 jobs at risk
CMS Cameron McKenna has launched a flexible working scheme and its first full redundancy consultation as part of a package of measures to slash its wage bill.
Carphone Warehouse and TalkTalk split gets mouths watering
CARPHONE Warehouse is preparing to split in two, with the high street retail arm separating from the TalkTalk telecoms business.
Christie’s legal roster put under hammer
Auction house Christie’s has slashed its legal advisers from more than 70 to 13 in a radical reshaping of its global law firm roster.
Citigroup counsel jumps ship for ICG
Intermediate Capital Group (ICG) has appointed its first general counsel with the hire of Citigroup global general counsel for non-resident Indian wealth management Aneta Polk.
Eyes down for UK firms as Riva Gaming sheds £100m of debt
Riva Gaming Group, the private equity-owned bingo operator, has struck a deal with lenders to write off £100m of its debt, leading to instructions for a raft UK firms.
Freshfields Middle East finance head quits
Bob Charlton, Middle East head of finance at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, has announced that he is leaving the firm to pursue other opportunities.
LG tops AIM charts for the first time
This month saw LG make its debut at the top of the rankings for AIM advisers.
Linklaters loses grip on EU tax expertise as final Dutch specialist leaves for PwC
Linklaters has suffered another blow to its European tax practice with the loss of its last remaining Dutch tax partner.
Norton Rose swoops for DLA Piper investment funds partner
Norton Rose has boosted its investment funds team with a raid on DLA Piper, taking on partner Michael Newell.
Norton Rose triggers reduced hours scheme
NORTON Rose has put its flexible working plan into immediate action, cutting hours for entire teams in corporate, shipping, banking and dispute resolution.
Simmons downsizes in Moscow
Simmons & Simmons has reshaped its Moscow office by sending two of the four partners back to London and laying off three associates. Project finance partner David Nelligan and corporate partner Isabella Roberts have returned to London, but will continue to work on Russian mandates. The reshuffle leaves two partners in Moscow: Konstantin Orlov in energy and infrastructure and office managing partner Tony Smith. The associate redundancies took place last month.
Linklaters ramps NY corporate with White & Case hire
Linklaters has boosted its New York corporate offering with the hire of partner Daniel Dufner from White & Case.
Two elevated to Macfarlanes partnership
Macfarlanes has responded to the gloomy economic climate by cutting annual partner promotions to two. Last year the firm made up five associates in the debt finance, corporate tax, property and litigation groups. (27 March 2008).
Linklaters cuts pay bands and associate bonuses
Linklaters has cut associate pay bands by an average of seven per cent and slashed bonuses across the firm.
Ashurst muscles in on CC’s Candover relationship as group names first GC
Candover has linked up with Ashurst after decades of dealings with Clifford Chance.
Bakers guides Sphinx through fund set-up
The London office of Baker & McKenzie has advised on the establishment of a $100m (£68.35m) turnaround fund in Egypt.
Burness, BLP called in on BlueGem bank project
Scottish firm Burness and Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) have been handed mandates in private equity group BlueGem’s investment in Panmure Gordon, the loss-making investment bank.
Old Square Chambers head steps down
?John Hendy QC has stepped down as head of Old Square Chambers after nearly a decade at the helm.
Simmons set to vote on moving legal jobs offshore
Firm lines up qualified agency staff in India, South Africa or Australia
Tanfield associate appointed as UN envoy
?Tanfield Chambers associate Professor Surya Subedi has been appointed as UN human rights envoy for Cambodia. The UN human rights council voted unanimously for Subedi to be special rapporteur to the country at a recent meeting in Geneva. As it is a non-residential appointment, Subedi will work from London and visit Cambodia to report on the human rights situation. He said: “It’s a huge privilege and an opportunity to make my contribution as an independent expert to enhance the human ...
Taylor Wessing reveals new tactics
Taylor Wessing has unveiled a package of measures in response to the economic slump, including offering all employees an extra two weeks of holiday in return for a 3.85 per cent reduction in salary.
Transport for London looks in-house for legal head
Transport for London (TfL) has recruited from its in-house team to replace director of compliance Gareth John, who left for Sodexo in January.
DLA Piper focus of Ethiopian hate campaign in US
DLA Piper has been the focus of protests in Washington DC over its role advising the Ethiopian government.
SJ Berwin welcomes six to partnership
SJ Berwin has made up six new partners, with the number of promotions at the firm dropping for the second consecutive year. The firm promoted eight in 2008, down from a record 16 in 2007.
Candover turns to SRM for first GC
Candover Investments, the listed-arm of the UK private equity group, has appointed its first general counsel, hiring Philip Price from hedge fund SRM Global.
Taylor Wessing offers staff chance to buy extra holidays
Taylor Wessing has unveiled a package of measures in response to the economic slump, including offering all employees an extra two weeks of holiday in return for a 3.85 per cent reduction in salary.
A&O and Linklaters refresh Britvic’s £300m bank loan
Drinks maker Britvic has renegotiated its £300m banking facility, with Allen & Overy (A&O) and Linklaters winning key mandates.
Firms line up as Barclays initiates panel review
Barclays has launched a major panel review, inviting firms to bid for the 120 places on its legal roster.
Freshfields adds four to new Abu Dhabi HQ
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has bolstered its Abu Dhabi practice by moving to new headquarters and relocating four associates from other offices to the emirate.
Milbank adds commercial litigation in City
Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy has launched a commercial litigation practice in London, hiring DLA Piper partner Julian Stait to handle technology disputes.
Simmons tech ace makes in-house switch
Simmons & Simmons’ former head of information communication and technology (ICT) has left the firm to join Dutch food trader Nidera as general counsel.
US, Canadian tie-up on Dentons’ radar
Denton Wilde Sapte has rekindled its merger ambitions amid growing interest from suitors in North America.
Milbank hires DLA partner for City litigation push
Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy has launched a commercial litigation practice in London, hiring DLA Piper partner Julian Stait to work on technology disputes.
Camerons promotes 17 to salaried office partner role
CMS Cameron McKenna has made up 17 partners, all of whom join the new salaried office partner rung introduced last month as part of a shake-up of the partnership.
CC’s Barclays conflict gifts SJ Berwin second CVC mandate
SJ Berwin has secured its largest mandate from CVC Capital Partners, acting for the private equity group on negotiations to buy Barclays subsidiary iShares after regular adviser Clifford Chance was conflicted out.
CLO Programme widens reach with political lobbying plan
Leading in-house lawyers group the Chief Legal Officers (CLO) Programme is preparing to expand its remit by moving into political lobbying.
ING puts firms on notice for global panel
Dutch financial giant ING has launched a global panel review in the first appraisal of its key advisers in more than five years.
Plus equals good business for firms as recession takes its toll on AIM
As the fortunes of AIM decline, mid-sized firms have been taking advantage of buoyancy in the Plus market to boost their corporate coffers. Kit Chellel reports
Sixteen Camerons partners opt for de-equitisation
Twelve per cent of CMS Cameron McKenna partners have volunteered for de-equitisation as the firm puts the finishing touches to a radical overhaul of its partnership.
Supreme Court Law Lords appointed
Lord Justice Collins and Sir Brian Kerr have been appointed Law Lords and will serve the new Supreme Court when it launches later this year.
Unified Shropshire council names legal head
Shropshire County Council legal chief Claire Porter has been given the top legal role at the new unified Shropshire authority.
Bakers to cut another 124 jobs
Baker & McKenzie has continued its job cull by making 38 associates and 86 support staff redundant in the US.
Camerons promotes 17 to newly-created office partner role
CMS Cameron McKenna has made up 17 new partners, all of whom join the new office partner salaried rung introduced last month as part of a shake-up of the partnership.
Africa Special Report: The art of conversation
The rewards of doing business in Africa far outweigh the challenges, especially for investors in the ITC market.
BM&A quits Affinitas network after Garrigues merger bid
The Brazilian member of Affinitas, the South American alliance led by Garrigues, has left the network to maintain its independence.
CC, Lovells, Slaughters all freeze pay
Clifford Chance, Lovells and Slaughter and May have all frozen salaries, with all staff remaining on current wages until the end of the 2009-10 financial year.
Davies to Linklaters: it’s good to talk
Chief puts internal communication at top of agenda ahead of major shake-up
DLA Piper extends layoffs
DLA Piper has extended its redundancy consultation, which was due to finish on 20 March.
Eversheds and Nabarro lead on Yoplait deal
Yoplait, the maker of Petits Filous yoghurts, has bought out its joint venture partner Dairy Crest, leading to instructions for Eversheds and Nabarro.
Find Lovells at King’s Cross with Herbies, DAC
?A trio of UK law firms has landed the leading roles advising on the restructuring of the investment vehicle for the multibillion pound King’s Cross Central regeneration scheme in Central London.
Linklaters repels Slaughters to snatch Aquarius mine deal
Linklaters has seen off competition from Slaughter and May to advise platinum miner Aquarius on its $191m (£134.67m) fund-raising and all-share offer for rival Ridge Mining.
Pearl’s takeover of Resolution: a cautionary tale of a mega-deal too far
The ramifications of the seemingly cursed £5bn Pearl bid for Resolution continue to rumble on.
Resolution takeover prompts Pearl cuts
Insurance group Pearl is cutting back its legal function following its £5bn takeover of rival Resolution.
Taylor Wessing announces new leadership
Private equity partner Tim Eyles has been elected managing partner of Taylor Wessing. He takes over from Michael Frawley, who has been managing partner since 2004.
Unitary authorities appoint new legal chiefs
The new Cheshire West and Chester Council, one of nine unitary authorities launched on 1 April, has hired Simon Goacher to run its 50-strong legal team.
DLA Piper sheds 8 per cent of Dubai lawyers
DLA Piper has laid off eight per cent of its Dubai fee-earners as its expansion plans in the Middle East are hit by the global economic crisis.
DLA Piper advises on administration of Southampton FC
The company behind Southampton Football Club has fallen into administration, leading to instructions for DLA Piper, Clarke Willmott and Dundas & Wilson.
Norton Rose gets massive support for four-day week plan
Staff at Norton Rose have voted overwhelmingly in support of the firm’s flexible working scheme, which will give the firm the option to put partners and salaried staff on a four-day week.
Slaughters freezes salaries at 2008-09 levels
Slaughter and May has frozen staff salaries at this year’s levels, following similar moves by Clifford Chance and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.
Clifford Chance cuts associate pay bands
Clifford Chance has reversed salary bands for its junior lawyers, with all associate pay frozen at current levels until the end of the 2009-10 financial year.
A&O leads for Nationwide on Dunfermline takeover
Addleshaw Goddard, Allen & Overy, Dundas & Wilson and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer have won key roles in the rescue of Dunfermline Building Society, Scotland’s largest mutual.
Ashurst and S&W scoop Cairn Energy share placing mandates
Ashurst and Shepherd & Wedderburn (S&W) have led the advice on Cairn Energy’s £116m share placing.
BLP’s McKeeve set to flex firm’s real estate muscle
Berwin Leighton Paisner’s (BLP) new private equity chief Raymond McKeeve is planning to use the firm’s real estate expertise to carve out a niche in the market.McKeeve returned to private practice last week after a year-long spell with client Robert Tchenguiz at his R20 investment vehicle.
Norton Rose's Bi awarded Muslim accolade
Norton Rose banking partner Farmida Bi has been named in the inaugural Muslim Women Power List 2009. Bi, the only practising lawyer to be chosen, joined Norton Rose from Denton Wilde Sapte in July 2008 as part of the firm’s push into Islamic finance.
Orrick and Slaughters called in to oversee £1.1bn North Sea gas talks
Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe and Slaughter and May have been appointed to advise on talks between Centrica and North Sea gas producer Venture Production.
UBS institutes slow release plan for in-house lawyers’ bonuses
Banking giant UBS has revamped bonus packages for its in-house lawyers, holding back payments in a bid to tie in top staff.
India's Khaitan boosts partnership with Freshfields hire
Indian firm Khaitan & Co has boosted its partnership with the hire of former Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer London senior associate Bharat Anand.
Bristol's Veale Wasbrough to cut 26 jobs
Bristol firm Veale Wasbrough has launched a redundancy consultation affecting up to 26 members of staff.
Herbies and Halliwells act on JJB gym sale
DLA Piper, Halliwells and Herbert Smith have won places advising troubled retailer JJB Sports on the sale of its gym business and restructuring package.
Slaughters ignores core practices as two gain partnership
Slaughter and May has made up just two new partners in the annual promotions round, half the number it promoted last year.
Slaughters advises Premier on Oilexco acquisition
Premier Oil has agreed to buy Oilexco North Sea for $505m (£344m), rescuing it from administration and leading to mandates for Allen & Overy (A&O), Clifford Chance, Herbert Smith and Slaughter and May.
Trowers promotions rise by 75 per cent
DLA's US partners face 11.5 per cent pay cut
DLA Piper is to cut pay by 11.5 per cent for most of its US partners amid gloomy predictions about the firm’s performance in 2009.
Salans offers staff four-day week
Salans is offering a four-day working week to staff in some departments, becoming the latest firm to propose flexible working in response to the economic downturn.
Pair of CC property partners move to Abu Dhabi
Clifford Chance has boosted its Middle East offering by relocating London real estate partners Andrew Rolfe and Catherine Cook to Abu Dhabi.
BAA hires Amey general counsel as £2bn Gatwick deal rumbles on
The British Airport Authority (BAA) has recruited Carol Hui as general counsel from construction group Amey.
Burges Salmon wants new offices completed
Firms line up for London councils’ joint panel
Law firms have begun the scramble to win contracts from the London Boroughs Legal Alliance (LBLA), a scheme that could eventually see all London councils served by a single panel.
Kent legal chief: Govt lawyers should shell out for certificates
Kent County Council legal chief Geoff Wild has hit out at a campaign to reduce practising certificate fees for local government lawyers.
Kent legal dept generates £1.42m profit
Kent County Council (KCC) legal chief Geoff Wild has seen the authority’s legal department increase external revenue generated by its pioneering in-house practice by 24 per cent this year. The legal team, which sells services to other public bodies, earned £1.42m in the 2008-09 financial year, up from £1.14m the previous year.
Simpson Thacher called in after takeover puts Pearl in the red
Pearl Group has begun talks to restructure £3bn of debt, some of which was used to buy rival Resolution in 2008, with Simpson Thacher & Bartlett winning the mandate from the insurane giant. It is understood that Simpson Thacher is acting for Pearl after advising it on the financing for its £5bn acquisition of Resolution. Finance partner Stephen Short acted on that deal.
Arthur Cox, MOP advise on Anglo Irish nationalisation
Irish firm Arthur Cox has been called in by the Irish Government to work on the nationalisation of Anglo Irish Bank.
