The Lawyer
Luke McLeod-Roberts Editorial

Competition: Kent County Council

18-Mar-2011

Geoff Wild
Bridge McFarland

7 March 2011

In 1976, just as the nation was donning its platform heels and shimmying on down beneath a glitter ball, a quiet revolution was taking place in Grimsby.
Eversheds wins battle to trade under own name in South Africa

23-Feb-2011

Eversheds’ South Africa office has won a longstanding dispute to trade under the global law firm’s name.
BLP, Irwin Mitchell, Pinsents aid charity’s landlord move

21 February 2011

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP), Irwin Mitchell and Pinsent Masons have helped an evangelical Christian charity become landlord of a ’dark store’.
From Taylor Wessing to blessings

21 February 2011

Jonathan Croucher, the curate of St Michael & All Angels Church in Blackheath, always wanted to pursue a career in the ministry, but when he came down from Cambridge at the age of 21 he decided he needed some “real-life” experience in order to be able to relate to his future flock, so he became a City lawyer instead.
Halliwells administrators dash creditors’ hopes

21 February 2011

Last autumn (20 September 2010) The Lawyer revealed that a trail of small businesses and charities faced financial difficulties as a result of the collapse of Halliwells.
Halliwells, the aftermath: HBJ and failed firm face court

21 February 2011

Angry staff take action over firm’s handling of redundancy process
Herbies lawyer heads for Wonga

21 February 2011

The former partner who managed Herbert Smith’s relationship with European alliance firms Gleiss Lutz and Stibbe has left the firm for an in-house role at online lending company Wonga.com.
Kemp Little

21 February 2011

Kemp Little senior partner Richard Kemp thinks the next decade will be tough for the legal market.
Bakers and Cleary fly US flag in Stonewall's legal top 10

17-Feb-2011

Baker & McKenzie and Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton are the only US firms to be recognised in LGB charity Stonewall’s legal sector top 10.
Halliwells' administrators seek funds to cover £200m of debts

15-Feb-2011

Failed firm Halliwells owes creditors a total of around £200m, a letter from its joint administrators has revealed.
forster dean

14 February 2011

Forster Dean is on an expansion drive. The personal injury (PI) and conveyancing firm has 23 offices, most of them in the North West and around the Potteries.
Hill Dickinson sets up bonus scheme

14 February 2011

Hill Dickinson has given its fee-earners the chance to increase their salaries by up to 10 per cent as part of a new bonus scheme.
Maples acts on Rockspring development schemes

14 February 2011

Maples Teesdale has helped Rockspring Property Investment Managers on two significant investments in speculative development schemes.
Pannone’s commercial practice set to shrink

14 February 2011

Pannone’s commercial practice is reducing amid questions over its strategic direction in a firm whose traditional strengths lie in private client work.
Pinsents targets construction work with Chinese tie-up

9-Feb-2011

Pinsent Masons has formed an alliance with a Chinese firm so that it can expand the amount of construction clients it acts for.
Trio of London boroughs merge legal services as part of spending squeeze

9-Feb-2011

Three London boroughs have announced their plans to merge back office functions, including legal services, in a move designed to generate £35m of savings by 2014.
4 Pump Court silk quits bar for partnership at Australia's Clayton Utz

8-Feb-2011

Insurance and re-insurance silk John Rowland QC, who practises at 4 Pump Court, is to leave the English bar to join Australian firm Clayton Utz.
A&O chief sympathetic but unrepentant on NI strategy

7 February 2011

Allen & Overy (A&O) global managing partner Wim Dejonghe has defended his firm’s decision to relocate around 180 support roles from London to Belfast despite the redundancies this will entail.
BLP nabs Herbies private client star

7 February 2011

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has hired Herbert Smith’s only dedicated private client partner just three months after the latter firm declared its ambition to grow in that area.
Nabarro keeps faith with senior partner

7 February 2011

Nabarro senior partner Simon Johnston has been reappointed for a third term until 2016.
Sainsbury's revamps legal roster with three firms winning places for first time

4-Feb-2011

Sainsbury’s has completed a review of its advisers with 12 firms admitted to the panel, including three new appointees.
A&O and Herbies share £3m of public funding for Belfast launches

4-Feb-2011

Allen & Overy (A&O) and Herbert Smith will together receive almost £3m of taxpayers’ money to help fund their operations in Northern Ireland.
Nabarro hands third term to senior partner Simon Johnston

3-Feb-2011

Nabarro senior partner Simon Johnston has been re-appointed for a third term, meaning he will stay in post until 2016.
ValidSoft taps 2Birds to fill general counsel role

1-Feb-2011

Counterfraud company ValidSoft has gone to its external adviser Bird & Bird to hire its first-ever general counsel.
DLA Piper seals ‘unique’ Aussie merger

31 January 2011

DLA Piper CEO Nigel Knowles is known for making categorical pronouncements.
Eversheds scores sale of AH Medical to Assura Group

31 January 2011

Eversheds has acted on a major deal in the healthcare property sector, winning the instruction after original adviser Hammonds was conflicted out.
Revealed: the gender pay gulf dividing UAE counsel

31 January 2011

?Gulf-based male in-house lawyers can earn twice as much as their female counterparts, with top-earning men pocketing as much as £34,000 each month, according to a recent survey conducted by Elizabeth Williams Search.
MasterChef production company installs BBC lawyer as chief counsel

28-Jan-2011

The independent TV production company that makes MasterChef and One Born Every Minute has hired a new legal chief.
DLA targets Asia Pacific growth via merger with Aussie best friend

27-Jan-2011

DLA Piper is set to merge with its Australian best friend DLA Phillips Fox as it prepares to beef up its Asia Pacific practice with the ultimate aim of becoming the world’s largest law firm.
Pannone's top earner saw 62 per cent pay uplift in 2009-10

26-Jan-2011

The top earner at Pannone made £398,000 during the 2009-10 financial year, a 62 per cent increase on the previous financial year, the firm’s LLP accounts have revealed.
Semple Fraser follows Tesco into Manchester

24 January 2011

Scottish firms are known for their conservative approach to expansion and the legal market north of the border is divided between those that have opened in England and those that are staunchly opposed to it.
SJ Berwin keeps top real estate clients from ex-chief

24 January 2011

SJ Berwin’s former head of real estate Jon Vivian has not taken the firm’s biggest-billing property clients with him to Irwin Mitchell.
SJ Berwin’s property practice turns cloud of chief’s exit into silver lining

24 January 2011

Real estate survives potentially devastating 16-person exodus.
Taylor Wessing hires COO and HR director

24 January 2011

Taylor Wessing has made two senior-level hires as part of an extensive reshaping of its board.
Herbies' staff costs rose by £17m in 2009-10 despite falling headcount

21-Jan-2011

Herbert Smith saw employee costs grow by £17m in the 2009-10 financial year despite the fact that its total staff headcount dropped year-on-year.
Eversheds' media head defects to Michael Simkins

20-Jan-2011

Media firm Michael Simkins has hired an adviser to Elton John and U2 from Eversheds to run its disputes team.
Weightmans bucked 2009-10 staff-cuts trend, LLPs reveal

20-Jan-2011

North West firm Weightmans increased its headcount by 10 per cent in the last full financial year as rivals slashed their staff numbers.
Hong Kong and Middle East drove Eversheds' 2009-10 performance, LLPs confirm

18-Jan-2011

Eversheds saw income from outside Europe more than double during the last financial year while total firmwide revenues dropped.
A&O’s docGenix on red alert as investment deadline passes

17 January 2011

Allen & Overy (A&O) has missed the deadline it set itself to save docGenix, its financially troubled derivatives risk analysis business.
BLP adds talent to non-contentious finance team

17 January 2011

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has hired a Pinsent Masons partner to boost its non-contentious financial services practice.
Herbies, Links win roles on White Tower property sale

17 January 2011

Herbert Smith and Linklaters have advised on the sale of one of the properties in the beleaguered White Tower portfolio.
Wragges and 2Birds join Airwave panel

17 January 2011

Wragge & Co has been appointed to the first-ever legal panel for Airwave, a company that helps the police and security services communicate without fear of eavesdroppers.
Weightmans staggers promos round as merger talks continue

14-Jan-2011

Weightmans has made a series of promotions to its associate and fixed-share partner ranks as merger talks with target firms progress.
BLG's nascent Brazil base made loss in first year after launch

12-Jan-2011

Barlow Lyde & Gilbert (BLG) made a loss on its newly opened Brazilian operation in 2009-10, when the firm posted a 22 per cent profit margin on a firmwide turnover of £81m.
A&O and Links act on £3bn RBS project finance sell-off

12-Jan-2011

Allen & Overy (A&O) and Linklaters have advised on the sale of part of RBS’s £3bn project finance portfolio to Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group.
Simmons retains crown as Stonewall's most gay-friendly firm

12-Jan-2011

Simmons & Simmons was named the most gay-friendly law firm for the second-year running by LGB charity Stonewall as the legal sector makes strides on LGB issues.
Burying bad news on Bulgaria: why DLA Piper closed its office in Sofia

10 January 2011

The timing of DLA Piper’s announcement that it was intending to close its Bulgaria office, which was made on Christmas Eve, seemed like a PR case study in how to bury bad news.
Camerons targets US work with Simmons hire

10 January 2011

CMS Cameron McKenna has made a strategic hire into its capital markets practice with the appointment of Simmons & Simmons US securities partner Daniel Winterfeldt as head of its international capital markets group.
Hogan, Links on board in Oz container terminal deal

10 January 2011

Hogan Lovells and Linklaters have advised on a major investment by Citi Infrastructure Investors (CII) in DP World’s Australia-based terminals business.
Nabarro to represent Government on coalminer liabilities

10 January 2011

Nabarro has set up a northshoring arrangement that will see it manage all strategic, legal and claims work related to sick coalminers from its Sheffield office.
Reed Smith lures McDermott energy partner

10 January 2011

Reed Smith has hired project finance energy partner Stefan Schmitz for its London energy and natural resources practice.
Simmons puts China and Germany growth ahead of US merger

10 January 2011

Simmons & Simmons has put finding a US merger on the backburner, preferring to focus on investment in Germany and China.
Weightmans begins merger talks with Mace & Jones and Vizards Wyeth

7-Jan-2011

North West firm Weightmans is in merger talks with Mace & Jones and Vizards Wyeth.
Pannone employment partner follows Kingsley to JMW

6-Jan-2011

JMW Solicitors senior partner Joy Kingsley has brought over a partner from her former firm Pannone to become head of employment.
Lawyers from BLG, Latham and MoFo launch fixed-fee tech boutique

4-Jan-2011

Five senior City lawyers have launched an outsourcing and technology boutique today, which pledges to axe the billable hour.
Ambitious Lupton Fawcett scoops up 32 ex-AMS staff

3 January 2011

Shortly before Christmas 100-year old firm Ashton Morton Slack (AMS) became the latest victim of the current harsh trading environment by filing for administration.
Diversity tables put policies above numbers

3 January 2011

The Black Solicitors Network’s fifth Diversity League Table (DLT) reveals considerable differences between the larger City firms and their smaller regional and niche counterparts in terms of diversity profiles.
Dewey makes up four, one in London

31-Dec-2010

Dewey & LeBoeuf has made up four lawyers in this year’s round of promotions, one of whom is based in London.
Ex-Links partner takes on advisory role at Spring Law

30-Dec-2010

Former Linklaters emerging markets head Nick Eastwell has added another string to his bow with an appointment to West End firm Spring Law.
Uría ditches co-managing partner roles in favour of UK model

29-Dec-2010

Uría Menéndez has created a new management structure, phasing out the dual managing partner roles common to many Spanish firms in favour of an ’Anglo-Saxon style’ model.
Hogan Lovells, Linklaters lead on sale of Australian DP World assets

29-Dec-2010

Hogan Lovells and Linklaters have advised on a major investment by Citi Infrastructure Investors in DP World’s Australian-based terminals business.
DLA Piper slams the door on Bulgaria

24-Dec-2010

DLA Piper is to close its Bulgarian office in the new year, citing problems associated with the economic downturn.
LG names new senior partner as managing partner gains another term

23-Dec-2010

LG has elected dispute resolution head Andrew Witts to succeed Penny Francis as senior partner, with Hugh Maule re-elected as managing partner.
Top firms reject candidates with 'working class accents'

21-Dec-2010

The UK’s top law firms are rejecting well-qualified candidates because their accents are too ’working class’, according to a new study.
Linklaters is UK's most diverse firm, says exclusive research

17-Dec-2010

Linklaters’ progressive workplace policies have led it to be crowned this year’s most diverse firm.
BLP NQ is charged with wife's murder

14-Dec-2010

A Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) newly qualified (NQ) solicitor has been charged with murdering his wife.
Sheffield firm set for administration; BDO called in

13-Dec-2010

Five equity-partner Sheffield-based conveyancing firm Ashton Morton Slack has filed to go into administration.
A&O adamant derivatives albatross can still take off

13 December 2010

There is something that seems ill-fated about Allen & Overy’s (A&O) foray into the derivatives services sector.
Eversheds to become Accenture’s ‘apostle’

13 December 2010

Eversheds has begun rolling out its support services outsourcing deal, sending procurement work to Accenture in Milton Keynes.
Lambeth lawyers gear up for Big Society revolution

13 December 2010

Legal department reacts to cuts head-on with mutualisation plans
Simmons global finance chief becomes top dog

13 December 2010

Simmons & Simmons has elected head of its international financial markets practice Jeremy Hoyland as its next managing partner.
DLA Piper Leeds head to call it a Day

10-Dec-2010

DLA Piper Leeds office managing partner Neil McLean is to retire after 17 years at the firm.
Hoyland pips Aldenhoff in Simmons managing partner race

10-Dec-2010

Simmons & Simmons has elected the head of the firm’s international financial markets practice Jeremy Hoyland as its next managing partner.
Addleshaws H1 figures down as 'no-win no-fee' strategy takes its toll

10-Dec-2010

Addleshaw Goddard has seen revenues drop for the first six months of 2010, with the firm attributing the dip in part to its decision to pursue cases on a “no win no fee” basis.
Beachcroft promotes partner to lead integration of B2 from Beachcroft

9-Dec-2010

Beachcroft has restructured the management and product lines of its claims division as it plans to integrate it into the wider business.
Addleshaws replaces chairman title with senior partner

9-Dec-2010

Addleshaw Goddard partner Monica Burch has ditched the chairman title for that of senior partner because she felt the previous designation confused people.
SJ Berwin defections continue as Taylor Wessing hires corporate partner

8-Dec-2010

Taylor Wessing has hired SJ Berwin partner Tandeep Minhas to its financial institutions and markets group.
UK-Germany face-off looms at Simmons as Dawkins abdicates

6-Dec-2010

Simmons & Simmons managing partner Mark Dawkins will not be standing for re-election when his term comes to an end next April.
Derivatives arm on brink as A&O ‘seeks investment’

6 December 2010

Allen & Overy (A&O) is seeking investors for financially troubled derivatives risk analysis business docGenix, which the firm set up following its hire of derivatives star Dan Cunningham.
Kent’s ABS initiative: brave but risky

6 December 2010

News that Kent County Council (KCC) is laying out plans to spin off its legal function into an alternative business structure (ABS) flies in the face of the image of the public sector as follower rather than leader.
Links study reveals higher than average ‘out’ LGB staff

6 December 2010

Around 20 per cent of gay and lesbian staff at Linklaters are not ’out’ in the workplace, according to a survey the firm has conducted among City staff.
Nabarro to choose 15 associates for top

6 December 2010

Nabarro has tied up with London Business School (LBS) to start providing training for its senior associates to prepare them for partnership.
Trowers contemplates alternative career path

6 December 2010

Trowers & Hamlins is drawing up plans for next year to introduce an alternative to the partner role as part of a potential restructuring of its career path.
Wragges' Middle East plan takes shape with Abu Dhabi launch

2-Dec-2010

Wragge & Co has opened in Abu Dhabi two years after The Lawyer first reported the firm’s plans to launch there.
BLG partner quits to launch technology boutique

1-Dec-2010

Barlow Lyde & Gilbert (BLG) partner Andrew Giverin is leaving the firm to set up a technology boutique in the latest in a string of departures from the top 40 firm.
Kent County Council eyes independent legal function

29 November 2010

£330m cost-saving initiative could see law director role axed and lawyers liable for negligence
Orbit Homes builds inaugural legal roster

29 November 2010

Orbit Homes, the for-profit arm of residential and social housing organisation Orbit Group, has formed its first-ever legal panel amid a changing funding climate.
Pinsents steers Halfords through £300m credit refinancing

29 November 2010

Pinsent Masons has advised longstanding client Halfords on the refinancing of its £300m credit facility.
Simmons ups its game on female partners

29 November 2010

Simmons & Simmons has implemented a raft of measures to address its poor standing on senior female representation.
Trowers puts lockstep in the firing line

29 November 2010

Trowers & Hamlins launched a consultation process recently with around a dozen fee-earners that could see the firm scrap its associate lockstep.
Simmons' turnover falls during first half of 2010-11

26-Nov-2010

Simmons & Simmons has posted a three per cent drop in income for the first six months of the 2010-11 financial year.
Taylor Wessing's revenues rise 4 per cent in first half of 2010-11

25-Nov-2010

Taylor Wessing has seen revenues nudge past the £80m point after the firm grew by four per cent for the first six months of the financial year.
Clifford Chance builds on Turkish association with Istanbul launch

25-Nov-2010

Clifford Chance is to launch in Turkey, 18 months after The Lawyer revealed that the magic circle firm had built a presence in the jurisdiction.
Dawsons agrees terms with ex-CEO

22 November 2010

The former CEO of Lincoln’s Inn firm Dawsons Solicitors has settled a claim against his former employer.
Dentons sues former India boss over ‘bribe’ case costs

22 November 2010

Alleged £400,000 bribe prompts showdown between Dentons, its insurers and former employee
Halliwells’ creditors join forces for action plan

22 November 2010

The largest creditors of failed law firm Halliwells have formed a committee in what could be a precedent to further legal action against the firm’s former partners.
Hill Dickinson ups its game on staff benefits

22 November 2010

Hill Dickinson is to extend its bonus scheme to all legal staff in a bid to benchmark its employee benefits against those of its peers.
Revenue up in H1 as firms shake off downturn blues

22 November 2010

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has had by far the most successful first six months of 2010-11 of the 17 firms to have reported first-half results.
Halliwells acquisition boosts Hill Dicks' first-half turnover by 10 per cent

18-Nov-2010

Hill Dickinson has posted a 10 per cent increase in turnover for the first six months of the 2010-11 financial year on the back of its acquisition of a team from Halliwells.
BLP's turnover rockets 30 per cent in first half

18-Nov-2010

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has posted a 30 per cent increase in fee income at the half year level.
Nabarro slashes staff costs by £4.4m

17-Nov-2010

Nabarro has reduced its staff costs by almost 10 per cent over the past financial year, largely as a result of it slimming down its total salary bill.
Beatles' long and winding road to iTunes ends thanks to Eversheds

17-Nov-2010

Eversheds has helped its longstanding client Apple Corps on an agreement to make The Beatles’ music available online for the first time.
Eversheds' turnover nudges down at half-year point

16-Nov-2010

Eversheds has posted a three per cent drop in turnover for the first six months of the 2010-11 financial year.
DWF staff costs rose 12 per cent in 2009-10, LLPs reveal

15-Nov-2010

The increase in DWF’s staff costs in 2009-10 was disproportionate to the increase in the firm’s total headcount, LLP accounts filed with Companies House have revealed.
SNR Denton advises KPMG on Pontin's administration

15-Nov-2010

SNR Denton has bagged a key role advising on the administration of holiday camp company Pontin’s.
Half-year turnover up 11 per cent at Watson Farley

15-Nov-2010

Watson Farley & Williams has posted double-digit revenue growth for the first six months of the 2010-11 financial year.
BLP boosts Singapore with Holman captures

15 November 2010

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has continued its international expansion, doubling its Singapore office through the hire of a team from Holman Fenwick & Willan.
Cuts could see social housing sector home in on new sources of finance

15 November 2010

Advisers gear up for roles with new entrants.
Ex-Halliwells partners face court date over rent

15 November 2010

A group of former Halliwells partners is facing a High Court showdown after the landlord of the failed firm’s former headquarters filed a claim for £224,000.
SNR Denton names Milton Keynes head as UK managing partner

10-Nov-2010

Newly merged SNR Denton has appointed a managing partner for the UK, with Milton Keynes head Brandon Ransley will take up the role.
DLA Piper among slew of firms to post first-half revenue increase

10-Nov-2010

DLA Piper has exceeded its revenue budget for the first six months of the 2010-11 financial year as UK firms continue to report growth.
Half-year turnover up 12 per cent at DWF

10-Nov-2010

DWF has recorded a 12 per cent increase in fee income for the first six months of the 2010-11 financial year.
Nabarro's turnover nudges up in first half of 2010-11

9-Nov-2010

Nabarro has posted a three per cent increase in turnover for the first six months of the 2010-11 financial year.
Wragges posts 15 per cent revenue rise in first half

8-Nov-2010

Wragge & Co has posted a double-digit turnover rise for the first six months of this financial year and forecasts similar levels of growth for the full year.
Barratt turns to United Utilities to fill GC role

8-Nov-2010

Barratt has appointed a new general counsel and company secretary to take over when incumbent Laurence Dent retires at the end of the year.
DLA Piper names Tim Clement-Jones as London chief

8-Nov-2010

DLA Piper has appointed Tim Clement-Jones as London managing partner, taking over from real estate partner Catherine Usher.
A&O's turnover up 3 per cent at half-year stage

8-Nov-2010

Allen & Overy (A&O) has seen turnover rise three per cent in the first half of the current financial year, bringing in £526m.
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.
Addleshaws applicants to be quizzed on social roots

8 November 2010

Addleshaw Goddard has begun collecting information on the social backgrounds of its graduate applicants.
Camerons, Eversheds, K&L Gates oversee school PFI

8 November 2010

CMS Cameron McKenna, Eversheds and K&L Gates have advised on one of the first Building Schools for the Future (BSF) deals to close since the coalition Government put the previous administration’s brainchild on hold.
Herbies aims for emerging markets by homing in on private client

8 November 2010

Herbert Smith is upping its emphasis on private client work as part of a strategic push into emerging markets.
InterLaw and JAC join forces to help LGBTs become judges

8 November 2010

The InterLaw Diversity Forum for LGBT Networks has teamed up with the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) to prime LGBT candidates on improving their chances of selection for a career in the judiciary.
Siemens outsourcing arm hires UK GC

8 November 2010

Siemens IT Solutions and Services, the IT and outsourcing outfit spun off from global electronics company Siemens, has appointed a new UK general counsel.
Wragges cut £6m of costs in 2009-10, LLP results reveal

4-Nov-2010

Wragge & Co managed to strip out £6m of costs over the 2009-10 financial year as a result of a £4m reduction in staff costs.
Grainger turns to Cushman & Wakefield for in-house counsel

3-Nov-2010

UK residential landlord Grainger has appointed Adam McGhin as its first-ever group legal counsel.
Weightmans sees turnover rise seven per cent at half-year stage

2-Nov-2010

North West firm Weightmans has revealed a seven per cent increase in turnover for the first six months of the 2010-11 financial year compared with the same period last year.
Ex-Halliwells partners face legal challenge from firm's administrators

1-Nov-2010

The joint administrators of Halliwells are considering taking legal action against the failed firm’s former equity partners.
Addleshaws sets out goals to boost diversity

1 November 2010

Addleshaw Goddard has become the first major firm to establish a target for the proportion of female and ethnic minority partners it wants in its ranks, together with a timeframe in which it wants to achieve this.
Flint Bishop acquires Robotham & Co

1 November 2010

East Midlands firm Flint Bishop has acquired niche Derby private client and property firm Robotham & Co.
Hogan Lovells unveils disability network

1 November 2010

Hogan Lovells is to be-come one of the first City firms to launch a network for its disabled employees.
Howard Kennedy, Maples Teesdale act on studio sale

1 November 2010

Howard Kennedy and Maples Teesdale have acted on the sale of Merton Studios, the former home of TV police drama The Bill.
Infrastructure lawyers escape as fate of projects is decided

1 November 2010

Rail and energy in, roads and waste management out. Luke McLeod-Roberts surveys the CSR fallout
Jones Day and Mishcons oversee Notting Hill retail property deal

1 November 2010

Jones Day and Mishcon de Reya have advised on a prime retail deal in West London.
Kent legal chief faces axe in costs review

1 November 2010

Kent County Council (KCC) legal chief Geoff Wild could face redundancy as part of a major restructuring intended to save £330m over the next four years.
Lawyers talk tactics in the battle for equality

1 November 2010

Should those who face the glass ceiling seek change within their own organisations, or is it more effective to work from the outside?
Simmons sets up committee to take nominations for top jobs

1 November 2010

A committee at Simmons & Simmons has been established to take nominations for the roles of senior and managing partner.
Asda brings in first head of legal

25 October 2010

Asda Stores has appointed its first head of legal as the supermarket chain breaks into city centre retail.
Happy to help: Eleanor Doohan, Asda Stores

25 October 2010

Eleanor Doohan, general counsel and company secretary at Asda Stores, extends her company’s service ethic to the legal function. By Luke McLeod-Roberts
Laid-off minority lawyers toil for no pay

25 October 2010

Some black and minority ethnic (BME) lawyers are working for free because they failed to land paid training contracts or work after they were made redundant.
Public sector legal teams feel the squeeze

25 October 2010

If there were any doubts that the clouds of doom have settled over the UK, last week they were eliminated when the chancellor George Osborne announced his Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR).
DLA Piper mourns death of partner

22-Oct-2010

DLA Piper Moscow-based partner Andrew Muriel has died suddenly while on a business trip in London.
Birmingham legal chief's post cut in restructure

21-Oct-2010

Birmingham City Council (BCC) legal chief Mirza Ahmad faces redundancy after he was unsuccessful in his bid to assume a newly created role of strategic director of resources.
Public sector lawyers split on Government spending cuts

20-Oct-2010

The implications of the Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) for local government legal services will be immense.
Weightmans turns the spotlight on leadership

18-Oct-2010

Weightmans managing partner Paddy Gaul is not a man given to making bold statements.
CC, Maples and McGrigors act on property portfolio sale

18 October 2010

Clifford Chance, Maples Teesdale and McGrigors have advised on the disposal of a distressed property portfolio to Legal & General (L&G) Property.
Jones Day loses employment litigation head to BLP

11-Oct-2010

Berwin Leighton Paisner has hired the head of Jones Day’s employment litigation practice.
Allen & Overy boss Morley moves to Germany

11 October 2010

Allen & Overy senior partner David Morley has relocated to Germany for a month as the firm seeks to increase its footprint in Europe’s largest market.
Eversheds restructures to avoid brand confusion

11 October 2010

Volume business LSG to be tied in with litigation and real estate areas
Eversheds snaps up ex-Severn Trent GC

11 October 2010

Eversheds has hired former Severn Trent general counsel Clive Mottram as a member of its water practice.
Optimism as Addleshaws unfreezes salaries

11 October 2010

Addleshaw Goddard has restructured its non-partner bonus arrangement after nobody received the payment last year and, in a sign of greater optimism, has also ended a two-year salary freeze.
Royal Dutch Shell hires Debevoise silk as next legal chief

5-Oct-2010

Royal Dutch Shell has appointed a new legal director to take over from incumbent Beat Hess, who retires in January 2011.
Slaughters sets up panel for outsourced business

4-Oct-2010

CPA Global and Exigent in the frame as magic circle firm bows to client pressure on fees
Ex-Halliwells salaried partners poised to sue

4 October 2010

Former Halliwells fixed-share partners are seeking legal advice with a view to suing the firm’s ex-equity partners.
Merged Cambs/Northants law function names legal director

4 October 2010

The newly merged legal departments of Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire’s county councils have appointed a director of legal services.
Norton Rose comes out with LGBT forum

4 October 2010

Norton Rose is to launch an LGBT network in a bid to improve the recruitment, retention and promotion of its gay and lesbian staff.
Halliwells: Litigation looms as former partners prepare for action

1-Oct-2010

Former Halliwells fixed share partners are seeking legal advice with a view to suing the firm’s ex-equity partners.
A new transatlantic firm born as SNR Denton goes live

30-Sep-2010

Denton Wilde Sapte and Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal merged today, creating SNR Denton, the latest in a string of transatlantic firms to emerge since the recession.
Ashurst scoops mandate for reinsurance start-up in Asia

27 September 2010

Ashurst has won a major deal acting on the establishment of a new pan-Asian reinsurance business.
Cambs, Northants combine legal teams

27 September 2010

Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire’s county councils are to merge their legal departments from 1 October in what will create a single function with a £3m external legal spend.
If you want to head a goliath, be called David

27 September 2010

The secret that has eluded lawyers for so long - that vital attribute that will help them make partner - has been revealed.
Revealed: top UK firms make poor showing in female partner stakes

27 September 2010

The extent of the gender disparity in the partnerships of the UK’s largest law firms has been much reported in the pages of The Lawyer.
SJ Berwin oversees Coca-Cola’s HQ switch

27 September 2010

SJ Berwin has acted for Coca-Cola Enterprises on its move into new European headquarters at the edge of London.
CoL left with £450,000 Halliwells bad debt

20-Sep-2010

The College of Law (CoL) is owed almost half a million pounds by Halliwells relating to unpaid LPC fees for the 2009-10 financial year.
Colt deal expands BLP’s MLS stable

20 September 2010

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has signed its second five-year deal with a major client to manage its legal needs.
Dozens of small businesses suffer after Halliwells’ collapse

20 September 2010

Documents leaked to The Lawyer have revealed the full extent of collapsed firm Halliwells’ creditors.
Freshfields, Links and Eversheds oversee sale of 333 Mitchells pubs

20 September 2010

Eversheds, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Linklaters have assisted on the sale of a string of pubs up and down the country by brewer Mitchells & Butlers to Stonegate Pub Company.
Nabarro ditches isolationism for surprise Singapore launch

20 September 2010

Nabarro is to open in Singapore later this year in what is a strategic U-turn for the previously UK-focused firm.
Thompsons reveals £17k Labour donation

20 September 2010

Thompsons Solicitors donated £17,000 cash to the Labour Party in the two weeks before the May general election delivered a hung parliament.
Herbies targets cultural diversity with new firm network

17-Sep-2010

Herbert Smith is to launch a multicultural network in a bid to provide support to ethnic, racial and cultural minorities within the firm, while raising awareness on cultural diversity among all staff.
BLG loses arbitration head to Wragges

15-Sep-2010

Wragge & Co has hired the London-based head of the international arbitration practice at Barlow Lyde & Gilbert.
Ex-BLG partner launches wannabe ABS

15-Sep-2010

A former Barlow Lyde & Gilbert partner has set up his own practice with support from a financial services player, paving the way for it to become one of the first alternative business structures (ABS).
A&O staff produce Cockney knees-up charity spectacular

13 September 2010

The sartorial choices of Allen & Overy (A&O) partners would not normally raise many eyebrows, but in the coming months some of the firm’s lawyers might ditch the pinstripes and brogues for sequined tights and tap shoes.
CC nabs Canary Wharf property refinance mandate

13 September 2010

Clifford Chance has guided Evans Randall through the refinancing of a major Canary Wharf property, triggered by a drop in the loan-to-value ratio.
Centrica names GC for energy division

13 September 2010

Centrica has appointed David Isenegger as general counsel to its Centrica Energy division.
Eversheds’ planned Beijing base to target financial services work

13 September 2010

Eversheds is planning to open in Beijing in the coming year as part of a plan to expand its emerging markets presence.
HBJ urges big-hitters to consider referrals

13 September 2010

HBJ Gateley Wareing has written to City and US firms suggesting they set up Lovells-style Mexican wave referral relationships.
Pannone gets a facelift as new chief makes her mark

13 September 2010

The new managing partner of Manchester firm Pannone has implemented a raft of changes since taking the helm earlier this year, saying she is “the sort of person who likes a challenge”.
Pinsents makes a case for variety and looks to shake off its ‘nice’ rep

13 September 2010

And it’s adamant there’s more to its outsourcing team than public sector.
Sheffield Uni unveils three-firm roster

13 September 2010

The University of Sheffield has launched its first-ever panel, with the appointment of three firms to the roster.
Jones Day advises as Connaught calls in the administrators

8-Sep-2010

Connaught, the property and environmental services group that has appointed administrators in the largest company administration since Woolworths, has turned to Jones Day to guide it through the process.
Addleshaws bulks up City banking team former DLA partner

7-Sep-2010

Addleshaw Goddard has continued to hire into its London banking practice with the recent addition of a former DLA Piper partner.
DLA hires six-strong Hogan Lovells IP team in LA

26-Aug-2010

A team of six IP lawyers, including five partners, are leaving Hogan Lovells’ Los Angeles office for DLA Piper because of client conflicts.
Dewey & LeBoeuf urges in-housers to go for diverse firms

25-Aug-2010

Dewey & LeBoeuf has written to general counsel at major clients encouraging them to instruct firms with diverse partnerships.
CC hands control of global real estate group to Spain property head

24-Aug-2010

Clifford Chance has elected Spain real estate head Alfonso Benavides as head of its global real estate practice.
A&O to sub let Canary Wharf base as banking team moves to City

23-Aug-2010

Allen & Overy (A&O) is relocating 200 staff from its Canary Wharf offices to its headquarters in the City in a cost-cutting move.
Nabarro hires former Halliwells partner for Sheffield office

18-Aug-2010

Nabarro has hired a former Halliwells partner to lead its Sheffield banking practice.
Eversheds’ IT revamp hits on ‘cloud-based solutions’

16 August 2010

Eversheds is to revolutionise its IT arrangements, with the firm moving to ’cloud-based’ virtual networks while floating the possibility of giving staff allowances to buy the equipment they want.
Focus: LGB Careers: Pride and prejudice

16 August 2010

While the UK has made considerable strides over the past decade in protecting the rights of lesbian, gay and bisexual lawyers, many still encounter discrimination in the workplace.
Hill Dicks loses ‘whole’ of Halliwells as clients walk

16 August 2010

Hill Dickinson had to shelve plans to take over the entirety of Halliwells because clients were abandoning the financially troubled firm once it looked as if it would enter administration, according to Hill Dickinson’s managing partner Peter Jackson.
Survey points to increasing LGB prejudice in legal sector

16 August 2010

Almost one fifth of lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) lawyers have experienced homophobic abuse at work, resulting in a small but rapidly growing number of employment tribunal claims.
Eversheds to offshore more support work, 100 jobs at risk

12-Aug-2010

Eversheds is to offshore HR, administration and finance roles, with 100 jobs at risk of redundancy as a result.
Pinsents staff: what I did on my holiday

9 August 2010

When national firm Pinsent Masons convened meetings in July 2009 to offer staff the opportunity to take extended leave in return for 80 per cent pay, commercial property associate Paul Kenny and corporate associate Eleanor Tinnelly jumped at the opportunity.
Wragges hit hardest as Midlands firms suffer

9 August 2010

There has been little revenue growth among Midlands firms over the past financial year, with four out of the five major Birmingham players reporting a fall in income.
A&O boosts Riyadh with hire from Saudi associate firm

4-Aug-2010

Allen & Overy (A&O) has hired a partner from its Saudi associate firm for its office in Riyadh.
A&O hires Bingham partner for New York ICM practice

3-Aug-2010

Allen & Overy’s (A&O) New York office has hired capital markets partner Ed De Sear as a partner in its international capital markets (ICM) group.
Ex-CC debt expert joins DLA Piper's ranks

2 August 2010

David Eatough has joined DLA Piper as a partner in the London structured finance team from Morgan Stanley.
Halliwells’ ex-managing partner: ‘I gave my life to that practice’

2 August 2010

Exclusive: Ian Austin on Halliwells’ culture, job losses and his own exit
Pinsents calls time on flexible work scheme

2 August 2010

Pinsent Masons has ended its recession-driven flexible working scheme, having saved approximately £2m and around 50 jobs from the initiative.
BLP, White & Case and Wragges advise on Boris's bike hire scheme

30-Jul-2010

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP), White & Case and Wragge & Co have acted on the London cycle hire scheme that launched today.
Clarke Willmott scraps 2012 training programme

29-Jul-2010

Clarke Willmott has put its trainee recruitment on hold, informing law students that it is not taking applications for its September 2012 intake.
Linklaters mourns death of London associate

27-Jul-2010

An associate in the projects team at Linklaters died last week after he was hit by a tube train in central London.
Halliwells’ staff: where are they now?

26-Jul-2010

When Halliwells filed notice of its intention to appoint an administrator at the end of last month (TheLawyer .com, 25 June), Mike Ward, senior partner at HBJ Gateley Wareing, got straight on the phone to Shay Bannon and Dermot Power at BDO.
Eversheds staff bag £1K as firm achieves profit target

26-Jul-2010

Eversheds will pay out a total of £2m in bonuses next month to all staff for the first time in two years.
BLG and HBJ create firewall for liabilities of Halliwells arrivals

26 July 2010

Incoming Halliwells staff ringfenced into sub-LLPs to protect against potential claims from legacy clients
Ex-Halliwells Sheffield staff celebrate new start with musical video

23-Jul-2010

Kennedys has marked its launch in Sheffield through the acquisition of a 65-person team from Halliwells with the production of a musical video miming to Queen’s hit song Don’t Stop Me Now.
BLG, Hill Dickinson, HBJ Gateley Wareing carve up the remains of Halliwells

21-Jul-2010

Barlow Lyde & Gilbert, HBJ Gateley Wareing and Hill Dickinson have completed their acquisition of failed firm Halliwells.
Paul Hastings duo bring White Tower to successful close

19 July 2010

Bondholders rejoice as ’mini-bubble’ buoys Central London’s property sector. By Luke McLeod-Roberts
Trio of firms check in for luxury hotel sale

19 July 2010

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP), Nabarro and SJ Berwin have assisted on the sale of a chic London hotel in one of the largest European hotel deals this year.
PEP drop at DLA Piper after Middle East woes

13-Jul-2010

DLA Piper has posted a one per cent drop in fee income for the 2009 financial year, as PEP fell by 18 per cent.
Reed Smith forced to wait for half its Pinsents partner team

12-Jul-2010

Two of the senior construction partners snared by Reed Smith from Pinsent Masons as part of a four-partner team have joined the US firm, but the other two partners remain temporarily locked-in at the national firm.
Halliwells former managing partner Austin snares new job

12-Jul-2010

Halliwells executive chairman Ian Austin is to leave the troubled firm to run the commercial litigation department at Manchester firm Heatons.
RBS to pocket £9m in Halliwells sell-off

12 July 2010

The three firms vying to take over Halliwells are expected to pay a total of £9m for the business, as the firm’s bank RBS renewed its overdraft facility ahead of pay day.
Slaughters scores Travis Perkins’ takeover of BSS Group

12 July 2010

Slaughter and May has scored a new mandate advising builders’ merchant Travis Perkins on its £558m takeover of BSS Group.
Taylor Wessing appoints global director

12 July 2010

Taylor Wessing has hired Jean-Michel Beeching from KPMG for the newly created role of global business development director.
Postcomm denies Simmons partner conflict

9-Jul-2010

Concerns of a conflict of interest surrounding Simmons & Simmons partner Jenny Block’s appointment to the postal regulator Postcomm have been raised in Parliament by Brighton Pavillion MP Caroline Lucas.
Norton Rose boosts Bahrain practice with Islamic finance hire

7-Jul-2010

A former Norton Rose partner has returned to the firm’s Bahrain office after a stint at Al Salam Bank.
Pannone managing partner succeeds Kingsley as senior partner

7-Jul-2010

Pannone has handed its managing partner Steven Grant the role of senior partner with immediate effect, following the departure of previous incumbent Joy Kingsley for smaller firm JMW.
Pinsents seals JV with Singapore's MPillay

6-Jul-2010

Pinsent Masons has launched a joint venture in Singapore that will allow it to practise local law and share profits.
A&O turns to Allens Arthur for Aussie partner hire

6-Jul-2010

Allen & Overy has hired an energy partner for its Australian operation, the 19th partner for its fledgling offices in Perth and Sydney.
Manchester Met picks four in panel rejig

5-Jul-2010

Manchester Metropolitan University has revamped its legal panel with the appointment of four firms to the new roster.
A&O opens in Indonesia as overseas income soars

5 July 2010

More than half of Allen & Overy’s (A&O) revenue now comes from overseas, as the firm continues its international drive with the launch of an office in Indonesia.
BLP partner secures landmark Canary Wharf tower purchase

5 July 2010

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) partner Chris De Pury has acted for a private equity fund on the purchase of a landmark Canary Wharf building from his former client Hammerson.
Halliwells: the inside story

5 July 2010

The protracted negotiations to take over Halliwells after financial difficulties saw the firm signal its intent to appoint an administrator (TheLawyer.com, 25 June 2010) appeared to have come to an end on Friday (2 July) as three firms appeared to have snapped up its assets.
Hope for Halliwells as trio offer takeover deal

5 July 2010

Barlow Lyde & Gilbert (BLG), HBJ Gateley Wareing and Hill Dickinson have agreed the basis of a deal that would see the three firms take over the majority of troubled firm Halliwells.
Mayer Brown seeks to grow London through hires

5 July 2010

Mayer Brown London senior partner Sean Connolly claims that “a merger isn’t plan A” for his firm after formal talks with Simmons & Simmons broke down.
Pannone posts turnover drop as it launches in London

1-Jul-2010

Pannone has launched a corporate crime team in London, as it posts a six per cent drop in turnover and average profit per equity partner (PEP) remains static.
A&O opens in Jakarta after posting 10 per cent PEP rise in 2009-10

1-Jul-2010

Allen & Overy (A&O) has posted 10 per cent growth in average profit per equity partner (PEP) for the last financial year with turnover dropping 4 per cent over the same period.
Eversheds eschews BlackBerry in favour of iPad

30-Jun-2010

Eversheds has become the latest firm to embrace the Apple brand after it signed a deal to provide its lawyers with the company’s iPad.
Turnover and PEP down at Nabarro

29-Jun-2010

Nabarro has posted a 10 per cent drop in turnover alongside a double-digit fall in average profit per equity partner (PEP) for the 2009-10 financial year.
Mayer Brown and Simmons decide against merger

29-Jun-2010

Mayer Brown and Simmons & Simmons have concluded that they will not proceed with a merger following extensive discussions about a possible tie-up.
Simmons promotes eight to partnership

29-Jun-2010

Simmons & Simmons has promoted eight lawyers to its partnership, six of whom are based outside the UK.
City firm helps acquire Harry Potter for Russian TV

28 June 2010

Russian TV company TNT Broadcasting Network has turned to City firm Padva Haslam-Jones for advice on a deal to air Warner Bros material including the latest Harry Potter film.
Creativity and forward thinking make BLP Law Firm of the Year

28 June 2010

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) is one of those firms that divides market opinion.
Halliwells’ assets up for grabs as firm files to go into administration

28 June 2010

Firm in talks with Hill Dickinson and Barlow Lyde & Gilbert after property costs hit balance sheet
Hardwicke recruits silk

28 June 2010

Mohammed Zaman QC is to join the commercial division at Lincoln’s Inn set Hardwicke.
Trio of firms arrange sale of Addleshaws' HQ

28 June 2010

Dewey & LeBoeuf, Herbert Smith and SJ Berwin have arranged the sale of Addleshaw Goddard’s headquarters to a Middle East investor as part of a highly secretive deal.
Halliwells to appoint administrator; BLG and Hill Dicks vie for assets

25-Jun-2010

Halliwells has filed a notice of its intention to appoint an administrator, with Hill Dickinson and Barlow Lyde & Gilbert (BLG) understood to be circling to take the firm’s assets.
Pinsents reports revenue drop but profit rise

23-Jun-2010

Pinsent Masons’ net profit grew by a third for the 2009-10 financial year, while turnover dropped by four per cent.
A&O beefs up Sydney office with Mallesons hire

22-Jun-2010

Allen & Overy (A&O) has boosted its fledgling Australia practice with the hire of a competition partner from local firm Mallesons Stephen Jacques.
Eversheds aids Royal London with property fund conversion

21 June 2010

Eversheds has advised Royal London Asset Management (RLAM) on the conversion to its property fund to the new, more tax-efficient Property Authorised Investment Fund (PAIF) status.
Law Soc surveys experts on 2020 legal scene

21 June 2010

The Law Society is carrying out a consultation that will seek to establish the impact of outsourcing and the role of the representative body in a changing profession.
Simmons and Mayer Brown merger talks: round two

21 June 2010

Rush for transatlantic tie-ups continues as Simmons schedules partner briefing this week
Taylor Wimpey scales back panel

21 June 2010

UK housebuilder Taylor Wimpey revamped its list of external advisers following a review of its legal panel.
Revealed: Mayer Brown and Simmons & Simmons merger talks back on

18-Jun-2010

Mayer Brown and Simmons & Simmons have resumed merger talks, with both firms’ management set to brief their respective partnerships next week on the merits of a potential union.
Hill Dickinson boosts corporate practice with Hammonds hire

17-Jun-2010

Hill Dickinson has grown its corporate team with the appointment of Hammonds partner Ian Gillis.
Simmons hires King & Wood partner for Beijing launch

17-Jun-2010

Simmons & Simmons has appointed a partner to lead the development of its new Beijing office. Davis Wang joins from Chinese firm King & Wood, where he was a partner.
DLA to re-defend mental health case following EAT decision

16-Jun-2010

DLA Piper has failed to quash an Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) case from a former lawyer and will now have to re-defend a mental health discrimination claim in the Employment Tribunal.
BLP results: net profit jumps 22 per cent as turnover reaches £191m

14-Jun-2010

Berwin Leighton Paisner saw both turnover and profit grow over the last financial year, as income rises above £190m for the first time.
A&O, Links aid Britvic move on French rival

14 June 2010

Allen & Overy (A&O) and Linklaters have helped beverage company Britvic in its acquisition of a French rival, in a move that gives it a foothold in the substantial French soft drinks market.
Accenture invites tenders in legal rejig

14 June 2010

Global management consultancy and outsourcing and technology company Accenture is preparing to overhaul its legal roster.
Asda establishes new head of legal position

14 June 2010

ASDA is creating a head of legal role as the supermarket chain expands into city centres.
Initial results point to an increase in profitability

14 June 2010

Firms are not necessarily billing as much as in 2009, but the majority are more profitable than they were a year ago, according to an overview of the results from the first practices to report their figures for the 2009-10 financial year.
Paul Hastings and Norton Rose act on first White Tower sale

14 June 2010

Paul Hastings and Norton Rose have advised on the first property in the White Tower portfolio to be sold, after the buildings were put into administration last year.
JMW launches in London to be closer to celebrity clients

11-Jun-2010

Manchester-based JMW Solicitors is to open a base in London so that it can better service a celebrity client base that is unwilling to travel up north.
Watson Farley to pay bonus after strong set of financials

10-Jun-2010

Watson Farley & Williams is to award a one-off bonus to all its staff after the firm surpassed its budget for the 2009-10 financial year.
London and Kent authorities appoint joint legal panel

10-Jun-2010

A consortium of boroughs in London and Kent have appointed 26 firms to a new joint panel.
Partners at Dentons and Sonnenschein say yes to merger

9-Jun-2010

Partners at Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal and Denton Wilde Sapte have voted in favour of the firms’ planned merger.
Watson Farley posts 9 per cent revenue rise

8-Jun-2010

Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) has broken through the £80m revenue barrier, after posting growth of 9 per cent.
DLA Piper Brazil ally adds 14 from rival

7-Jun-2010

DLA Piper’s Brazilian alliance firm Campos Mello Advogados (CMA) has continued its hiring spree, with the addition of a 14-strong team including two partners from a rival firm.
BLP picks two firms for Thames Water work

7 June 2010

Ashfords and Pannone have signed a deal with Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) to pick up the referral work from the Thames Water outsourcing deal.
From firm to foundation

7 June 2010

After you finish work tonight how about heading down to London’s hottest new private members’ lounge?
LPO project sees Pinsents create enterprise role

7 June 2010

Pinsent Masons has appointed dispute resolution head Nigel Kissack to the newly created role of head of enterprise as it steps up the outsourcing project he has overseen.
Mayer Brown courtship of Simmons founders

7 June 2010

US giant undeterred by failed talks as search for City ally continues
Pinsents, Slaughters seal Asda’s £778m acquisition of Netto

7 June 2010

Pinsent Masons and Slaughter and May have helped Asda in a major acquisition that could see it become the UK’s second-largest supermarket chain.
Addleshaws sees turnover drop as PEP edges up

3-Jun-2010

Addleshaw Goddard has reported a single figure drop in turnover and a slight increase in average profit per equity partner (PEP) for the 2009-10 financial year.
A&O names Shearman joiner as German managing partner

2-Jun-2010

Allen & Overy has named a relative newcomer to the firm as its next German managing partner, with the incumbent preparing to step down at the end of this year.
SNR Denton to move to single CEO after three years

2-Jun-2010

SNR Denton will abolish the joint chief executive position within three years of the anticipated merger between Denton Wilde Sapte and Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal, with Dentons CEO Howard Morris indicating that he could step aside.
NDA legal team grounded by Cumbrian shootings

2-Jun-2010

The legal department at the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) is currently subject to a lock-in following news that a gunman has killed several people in and around Whitehaven in Cumbria, where the NDA is based.
Civil service pay: The public sector lawyers who earn more than PM

1-Jun-2010

A number of high-profile lawyers on the public payroll are among the 172 civil servants who earn more than the Prime Minister, David Cameron.
Bircham Dyson Bell names new senior partner

1-Jun-2010

Bircham Dyson Bell residential and leasehold reform head John Stephenson has taken over as the firm’s senior partner from today.
Dentons chief executive: the transatlantic tide is coming

31 May 2010

Dentons-Sonnenschein merger will be one of many, says Howard Morris
Olswang battles Orion over Conan IP dispute

31 May 2010

Olswang has been retained by Paradox Entertainment to help it defend its intellectual property ahead of the release of the film Conan.
Simmons to open Beijing head office

31 May 2010

Simmons & Simmons is to reorganise its China practice, with plans to open a Beijing office that will operate as a national hub.
Trio of firms close £370m West Midlands schools PFI

31 May 2010

Addleshaw Goddard, Trowers & Hamlins and White & Case have helped close a schools PFI project in the West Midlands.
Why Joy Kingsley quit Pannone after 30 years

31 May 2010

Manchester firm Pannone was marking the end of an era last week as senior partner Joy Kingsley announced she is leaving the firm for a much smaller local rival JMW Solicitors.
Eversheds reports 28 per cent PEP rise

28-May-2010

Eversheds’ average profit per equity partner (PEP) figure increased 28 per cent in the 2009-10 financial year to hit £517,000.
2Birds targets Middle East with Abu Dhabi launch

27-May-2010

Bird & Bird is to open an office in Abu Dhabi - its first base in the Middle East region.
Dentons prepares to seal transatlantic merger with Sonnenschein

26-May-2010

Denton Wilde Sapte is to merge with US firm Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal in a deal that will create a £500m firm with 1,400 lawyers.
Pannone senior partner Kingsley leaves firm after three decades

25-May-2010

Pannone senior partner Joy Kingsley is leaving the Manchester firm after 32 years to join local rival JMW Solicitors.
Duo of Wragges employment partners jump ship for RPC

24-May-2010

Two employment partners are leaving Wragge & Co for Reynolds Porter Chamberlain (RPC).
Asda in the driving seat as property partners battle for retail panel nod

24 May 2010

As its relationship with Eversheds falters, the retail giant looks further afield.
Dentons tie-up aids entry into Lebanon

24 May 2010

DENTON Wilde Sapte is to launch in Lebanon through an association with local firm Chedid Law Offices.
Equity share boost gives Dentons reason to cheer

24 May 2010

NEWS that Denton Wilde Sapte equity partners will take home equity shares that are around 22 per cent higher than last year will be met by its partners with cautious optimism.
Lewis Silkin outsources litigation to New Zealand

24 May 2010

LEWIS Silkin has begun outsourcing sophisticated disputes work to litigation partners at a law firm in New Zealand.
Pinsents scores six from dissolving Roiter Zucker

24 May 2010

PINSENT Masons is hiring a team of six lawyers that together form the bulk of the life sciences boutique Roiter Zucker.
Scottish councils finalise panel reviews

24 May 2010

TWO SCOTTISH local authorities have completed panel reviews, with a mixture of Scottish and UK firms winning places.
SJ Berwin aids Matrix in £182m IZD Tower sale

24 May 2010

SJ BERWIN has helped longstanding client Matrix European Real Estate Investment Trust sell an iconic European property.
DLA ramps up in Brazil as two partners gain local licences

21-May-2010

DLA Piper is stepping up its operations in Brazil, shortly after entering into a cooperation agreement with local firm Campos Mello Advogados (CMA).
A&O hit with £3.4m claim from erotic-fiction-writing former associate

20-May-2010

Former Allen & Overy (A&O) Moscow-based senior associate Deidre Dare, who was sacked after she refused to stop publishing an online erotic novel, is claiming £3.4m in compensation over allegations of unfair dismissal and sexual discrimination.
Dentons posts 22 per cent PEP increase as turnover nudges down

19-May-2010

Denton Wilde Sapte has posted average profit per equity partner (PEP) growth of 22 per cent for the 2009-10 financial year, despite total revenues dropping slightly on the previous year.
Dentons advises banks on £2.8bn highways PFI

17 May 2010

Denton Wilde Sapte has helped a consortium of banks reach financial close on the £2.8bn Birmingham highways PFI - the largest local authority project of its kind.
Eversheds arrivals boost City, international finance offering

17 May 2010

Eversheds has hired two finance partners in a bid to enhance its City and international capital markets expertise.
Freshfields pushes back the language barrier with Spanish lessons for schools

17 May 2010

Whoever devises GCSE foreign language syllabuses has obviously not spent that much time with teenage girls.
Minter Ellison New Zealand base offers LPO service

17 May 2010

Australian firm Minter Ellison is to use its New Zealand offices as an outsourcing centre for UK legal work.
Nottingham universities set up joint legal roster

17 May 2010

The University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University have completed a joint procurement process, as a number of universities revamp their panels ahead of planned public sector spending cuts.
Pannone names new managing partner

17 May 2010

Head of clinical negligence at Pannone Emma Holt has been appointed as the firm’s new managing partner following an uncontested election.
Simmons hire signals pro bono advance

17 May 2010

Simmons & Simmons has hired a lawyer as a full-time pro bono manager. Karen Ozdamar will sit on the pro bono committee with a remit to internationalise the firm’s pro bono work.
Pannone names clin neg chief as managing partner

14-May-2010

Pannone’s clinical negligence head Emma Holt has been appointed as the firm’s next managing partner, following an uncontested election.
Weightmans reelects managing partner as turnover rises to £56.2m

13-May-2010

Weightmans managing partner Patrick Gaul has been reelected for another term as the firm posts turnover growth of eight per cent for the last financial year.
Addleshaws trainee quits firm after becoming Labour MP

10-May-2010

An Addleshaw Goddard trainee has left the firm after winning a seat for Labour at the general election.
Aramco sticks with White & Case

3 May 2010

Saudi Aramco, the world’s largest oil company, is to continue using White & Case as its go-to adviser despite the fact that the US firm has neither an office, a sponsor nor any permanent lawyers in Aramco’s home jurisdiction of Saudi Arabia.
GTM advises Oak Holdings on Yorkshire’s YES! project

3 May 2010

Greenberg Traurig Maher (GTM) has scored a full-service mandate advising former Eversheds client Oak Holdings on a major regeneration scheme.
Herbies helps Resolution snap up debt and restart hotel plans

3 May 2010

Herbert Smith has helped fund manager Resolution Property restart the development of a 220,000sq ft central London site after it acquired the loan secured against it at a knockdown price.
Milbank lures Shearman star as Brazilian bar restrictions see firms scrap for work

3 May 2010

Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy’s decision to poach Shearman & Sterling’s Brazil head and capital markets star Andrew Jánszky to open a São Paulo office marks the culmination of a five-year courtship with the country.
Olswang fills top posts for real estate, construction

3 May 2010

Olswang has hired a new head of construction to replace current departmental chief Richard Wilson, who is leaving the firm.
Promotions on the wane – particularly in the UK

3 May 2010

The latest firms to announce their partner promotions have all made up fewer than last year.
Freshfields hires A&O partner for finance practice

30-Apr-2010

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has appointed a senior energy partner from Allen & Overy into its finance practice.
Nabarro promotes three in latest round

30-Apr-2010

Nabarro has promoted three associates to partnership, all of them based in the firm’s London offices.
LG elevates four to partnership

30-Apr-2010

LG has promoted four lawyers to the partnership, all of them based in the firm’s London office.
Dentons makes up two in annual promotions

27-Apr-2010

Denton Wilde Sapte has promoted two lawyers to its partnership, down from six last year.
Cambridgeshire councils team up to share legal services

27-Apr-2010

Seven councils in Cambridgeshire have signed a concordat with a view to sharing expertise and forming a consortium of external advisers as part of an initiative called Cambridgeshire Legal Services Partnership.
Watson Farley welcomes two to partnership

27-Apr-2010

Watson Farley & Williams has promoted two lawyers to its partnership, both of whom are based outside the UK.
Ashurst welcomes 11 new partners in latest promotions round

26-Apr-2010

Ashurst has promoted 11 lawyers to the partnership across its offices in London, Europe and Asia.
Addleshaws’ new chair plugs flexibility and profit

26 April 2010

“We’ve got a lot of work to do to enhance our City reputation,” admits Monica Burch in the last few days before becoming Addleshaw Goddard’s new chairman.
Cambs, Northants mull combined legal function

26 April 2010

The County councils of Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire are in preliminary talks to merge their legal departments.
Freeth Cartwright opens London base with focus on retail clients

26 April 2010

Midlands firm Freeth Cartwright has launched in London with a view to improve its service to London clients, particularly those in the retail sector.
Reed Smith at the ready as Pinsents’ construction team prepares to defect

26 April 2010

Are Pinsents’ consolidation plans going to score it an own goal?
Royal Dutch Shell slims down legal panel

26 April 2010

Royal Dutch Shell has reduced its roster of external advisers after completing a major panel review.
Addleshaws litigation chief quits to set up boutique

23-Apr-2010

Addleshaw Goddard’s head of litigation Simon Twigden is to leave the firm along with another litigation partner to set up a boutique.
Foskett J rejects Shoesmith's Baby P sacking claim

23-Apr-2010

The former head of children’s services at Haringey Council Sharon Shoesmith has failed in the judicial review of her sacking following the death of Baby P.
Pinsents loses four construction partners to Reed Smith

23-Apr-2010

Reed Smith is poised to take on four senior construction partners from Pinsent Masons, tripling its construction practice in the process.
Pinsents welcomes four new partners across UK offices

23-Apr-2010

Pinsent Masons has promoted four lawyers to its partnership, all of whom are based in its UK offices.
Shearman loses Latin American head for Milbank launch

21-Apr-2010

Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy has hired the head of Shearman & Sterling’s Latin American practice to lead its new São Paulo office.
BLP promotions see eight make partner

20-Apr-2010

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has promoted eight lawyers to its partnership, with all but one based in London.
18 get the nod in Herbert Smith partner promotions

20-Apr-2010

Herbert Smith has promoted 18 lawyers to its partnership, a third of whom are based abroad.
Eversheds welcomes 19 new partners in latest promotions round

19-Apr-2010

Eversheds has promoted 19 lawyers to partner across its UK, European and South African offices.
Africa Legal Network offers alternative to outdated ‘imperial’-style City associations

19 April 2010

An exclusive network of independent African firms is expanding with a view to offering an alternative to the ’imperial’ model offered by UK-led associations.
Blake Dawson opens first Japan office in landmark move for Oz legal profession

19 April 2010

Australian firm Blake Dawson has officially opened in Tokyo, becoming one of the first Australian firms to open an office in Japan.
Dentons, Shoosmiths make HRG panel

19 April 2010

The owner of Argos and Homebase has completed its first formal panel review, appointing three firms until February 2012.
Hogan Lovells hopes to nullify US disdain for the work of ‘dirt lawyers’

19 April 2010

The poor-cousin status of real estate work in the US may be about to end.
SDT’s judgment on Veneik shenanigans receives endorsement of the profession

19 April 2010

It was a desire to uphold the probity of the legal profession that led the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) to strike off former Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) partner Vinay Veneik.
UK firms remain wary despite elevated recruitment figures

19 April 2010

Hiring hiatus comes to an end as mid-sizers target magic circle talent, but reticence remains
Aussie firm Blake Dawson opens in Tokyo

14-Apr-2010

Australian firm Blake Dawson has officially opened in Tokyo, becoming one of the first Australian firms to open an office in Japan.
BLP water chief jumps ship to Bircham

12 April 2010

The head of Berwin Leighton Paisner’s (BLP) water practice has left the firm as the City outfit prepares to take over Thames Water’s legal function.
Donations belie firms’ reticence on red or blue

12 April 2010

With the growth of the cult of personality and a recognition of the value of social media and change-orientated soundbites, the UK general election is increasingly resembling that of the 2008 US presidential election.
Eversheds picks up twin Emea roles

12 April 2010

Eversheds has been appointed to advise software company Polaris on Europe, Middle East and Africa (Emea) matters. Partner Simon Gamlin will lead a team instructed as sole adviser to the company, which services banks and insurance companies.
Freshfields, Pinsents make the grade for NDA roster

12 April 2010

The nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) has appointed a streamlined panel, with Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Pinsent Masons usurping Herbert Smith and Norton Rose for places on the roster, which has an annual legal spend of between £3m and £4m.
North West housing association collective names panel of 10

12 April 2010

Six housing associations in the North West of England have completed their first-ever joint legal panel, with 10 national and regional firms appointed.
Former BLP partner Veneik "sullied" profession, tribunal finds

9-Apr-2010

Former Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) partner Vinay Veneik sullied the reputation of the legal profession through misuse of client monies, according to recent findings by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT).
Nine firms get the nod in revamped Yorkshire Forward panel

8-Apr-2010

Regional development agency Yorkshire Forward has completed a panel review with nine firms winning places.
Latham launches in Saudi with former White & Case sponsor

6-Apr-2010

Latham & Watkins has officially opened in Saudi Arabia, launching its fourth office in the Middle East.
A&O, Eversheds, Lovells in on Cable & Wireless pension brief

5 April 2010

Allen & Overy (A&O), Eversheds and Lovells are advising on the pension issues thrown up by the recent demerger of Cable & Wireless Worldwide from the Cable & Wireless Group.
Addleshaws plumps for female chair

5 April 2010

Litigation partner Monica Burch is to take over as chair at Addleshaw Goddard, making it the second firm in the UK top 20 to have a woman in a senior partner role.
East Mids authorities shuffle advisers

5 April 2010

A group of 50 East Midlands local authorities has reviewed its advisers, expanding its joint panel to include DLA Piper and Anthony Collins Solicitors, while kicking off Ashfords.
Eversheds on eggshells over Easter treats

5 April 2010

Eversheds’ plan to present its staff with Easter eggs had to be put on hold after concerns that it might offend employees who do not celebrate the Christian festival.
Addleshaws chooses litigator Burch to fill senior partner role

31-Mar-2010

Addleshaw Goddard litigation partner Monica Burch has won the partnership’s backing to succeed senior partner Paul Lee following a contested election.
A&O welcomes 18 new partners in latest promotions round

31-Mar-2010

Allen & Overy (A&O) has made up 18 lawyers to its partnership across 13 countries, with the vast majority joining from non-UK offices.
Trowers promotes four to partner

30-Mar-2010

Trowers & Hamlins has promoted four lawyers to partner across its global offices.
BLP, Maples snap up shopping centre sale

29 March 2010

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) and Maples Teesdale have acted on a deal that sees a string of shopping centres that had been funded by a Lehman Brothers loan sold to the fund UK Commercial Property Trust (UKCPT).
BNP barrister sparks debate on workplace ethics

29 March 2010

The decision by St Philips Chambers to distance itself from former barrister Roger Grierson, who is to fight a seat for the British National Party (BNP) at the general election, has instigated heated debate among Birmingham lawyers.
Full steam ahead for Ashurst on Crossrail procurement deal

29 March 2010

Ashurst has won a mandate to advise on the procurement of rolling stock and construction of a depot for the £15.9bn Crossrail project.
Mind the gaps: partner exits kick off promotion frenzy

29 March 2010

A number of firms have made emergency promotions to deal with gaps left by sudden partner exits against the backdrop of the beginning of a slow but steady UK partner promotion season.
North West councils negotiate panel freebies

29 March 2010

Twenty five local authorities in the North West of England have appointed 35 firms and 26 chambers to a new panel.
What price efficiency? Local govt event looks at riding out the tough times ahead

29 March 2010

With local governments facing major cuts over the coming years, the legal departments of these entities are under increasing pressure to drive efficiencies.
St Philips barrister resigns to stand for BNP in general election

25-Mar-2010

A tax barrister at Birmingham’s St Philips Chambers who went to the same Cambridge University college as British National Party (BNP) leader Nick Griffin has resigned from the set so he can fight a seat for the party at the upcoming general election.
BLP prepares to take over Thames Water's legal function

25-Mar-2010

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) is finalising a major deal with Thames Water that will see the utility company transfer its legal function over to the City firm.
Herbies boosts London finance with Linklaters dual hire

24-Mar-2010

Herbert Smith has hired two lawyers from Linklaters to bolster its energy and project finance team.
BT names next legal chief as Fletcher steps down

22-Mar-2010

BT group general counsel Anne Fletcher has stepped down, with former Misys general counsel Daniel Fitz poised to take over her role.
Addleshaws promotes five in latest partnership round

22-Mar-2010

Addleshaw Goddard has promoted five lawyers to partner, shrinking its round for the second year running.
A&O, BLP, DLA make Aldar’s first panel

22 March 2010

Aldar, the major Abu Dhabi-based developer of projects, including the Ferrari World Abu Dhabi theme park, has finalised its first panel.
Baroness Scotland calls for youth engagement

22 March 2010

Attorney General Patricia Scotland has called for “positive actions” to promote justice and social mobility, while hitting out at suggestions made by the Conservatives of a ’broken Britain’.
BLP hires RBS structured finance expert

22 March 2010

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has hired a former Linklaters banking partner to build up its structured finance team.
City firms line up for £400m Hull schools project

22 March 2010

Addleshaw Goddard, DLA Piper, Eversheds and Pinsent Masons have advised on a £400m Building Schools for the Future (BSF) scheme in Hull.
Halliwells buffers exits with corporate hire

22 March 2010

Halliwells has appointed a new partner to its London corporate recovery team as others leave the office.
Lovells, Freshfields, White & Case secure major German energy deal

22 March 2010

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Lovells and White & Case have advised on a major deal that is set to transform the German energy market.
Simmons mulls Ireland launch after EU directive

22 March 2010

Simmons & Simmons is scoping the Irish market as part of extensive scenario planning for its funds practice.
Stonewall commends progress on LGB policy

22 March 2010

The legal sector is making major strides on promoting lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) equality, according to LGB charity Stonewall.
UK outsourcing challenges offshoring as firms’ favourite

22 March 2010

Reluctance by clients to send work overseas makes firms look at alternatives closer to home
West London boroughs moot combined legal department

22 March 2010

The London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea are looking into combining their legal functions.
Magic circle tag redundant, Eversheds research finds

18-Mar-2010

Over half of all clients think that the magic circle designation is redundant, with 94 per cent of them arguing that the profession should reclassify its peer groups, according to new research.
Eversheds instructed on North of England small business initiative

15 March 2010

Eversheds has advised on the creation of £400m worth of funds to support small and medium enterprises in the north of England.
Freshfields keeps it in the family and signs deal with Saudi sponsor’s father

15 March 2010

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has changed the sponsorship arrangements governing its Saudi practice, swapping its local associate for his father.
Lockstep on last legs as Lovells switches to merit

15 March 2010

Lovells’ decision to alter the remuneration system for its 114 junior partners will not only see its pay system better aligned with merger partner Hogan & Hartson’s, but will also see it join a growing movement away from lockstep and the chargeable hour as a basis for determining non-equity remuneration.
Lovells extends pro bono to corporate lawyers

15 March 2010

Lovells has formed a social enterprise unit that offers pro bono advice across its international offices to the not-for-profit and fair trade sectors.
Sheffield Uni to create first legal first panel

15 March 2010

The University of Sheffield is to form its first-ever legal panel, with firms invited to submit applications across three different areas.
Hogan Lovells names integration committee ahead of May merger

12-Mar-2010

Hogan & Hartson and Lovells have established a committee to oversee the integration of the two firms.
Addleshaws to reinstate non-partner bonuses at year end

11-Mar-2010

Associates and support staff at Addleshaw Goddard have been told that they will be paid a bonus this year after an effective freeze on non-partner bonuses last year.
Ofwat finalises first legal panel with three firms winning places

11-Mar-2010

Water and sewerage regulator Ofwat has announced its first-ever legal panel with Addleshaw Goddard, Norton Rose and Wragge & Co making the mark.
White & Case looks to rebuild with five partner promotions

9-Mar-2010

White & Case has made up five new partners in an attempt to plug gaps created by a wave of recent defections.
Freshfields signs deal with Saudi sponsor's father

8-Mar-2010

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has altered its Saudi Arabian sponsorship arrangement, swapping its associate lawyer for his father.
Dentons powers up nuclear capability

1 March 2010

Denton Wilde Sapte has hired two leading nuclear specialists from Hammonds who will bring with them tier 1 clients in the nuclear sector.
DLA Gulf partner in A&O comeback

1 March 2010

The partner due to head DLA Piper’s Middle East finance practice has left after just a year as local senior partners are seconded to Australia.
Hammonds Direct loses case against former partner

1 March 2010

The former partners of Hammonds’ failed volume business Hammonds Direct are continuing to pursue their claim against partner Stephen York, despite a recent judgment finding in his favour.
Lovells drives through LVG sale for Kelso

1 March 2010

Lovells has advised private equity house Kelso Place Asset Management on its acquisition of a company that owns a driving school just days after it went into administration.
LG to phase out salaried role in favour of two-tier partnership

25-Feb-2010

LG is to get rid of its salaried partner rank following an extensive consultation at the firm.
Uría beefs up Portugal with local tie-up

24-Feb-2010

Uría Menéndez has expanded in Portugal through a bolt-on with local law firm Proença de Carvalho & Associados.
Eversheds litigation chief wins chairman race

24-Feb-2010

Eversheds litigation chief John Heaps has been elected the new chairman of the firm and will take over from incumbent Alan Jenkins on 1 May.
BLP hires advertising guru for marketing push

23-Feb-2010

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has hired a PR and marketing guru to drive its marketing strategy.
DLA to launch in Turkey via alliance with local firm

23-Feb-2010

DLA Piper is to establish a presence in Turkey through a relationship with Istanbul law firm Yüksel Karkin Küçük (YKK).
Birmingham legal chief facing redundancy as part of reorganisation

22-Feb-2010

Birmingham City Council’s (BCC) corporate director of governance Mirza Ahmad is facing redundancy as the local authority considers restructuring its senior management.
Fasken signs White & Case South Africa mining head

22 February 2010

White & Case has been left without a head for its metals and mining practice following the departure of Johannesburg executive partner Tanneke Heersche, who has joined Fasken Martineau as a partner.
Geldards, KCC team up to offer councils legal service

22 February 2010

The legal department at Kent County Council (KCC) is teaming up with regional firm Geldards to create a single brand for public sector work capable of taking over local authority legal departments.
Hogan-Lovells tie-up okayed by Poland

22 February 2010

Hogan & Hartson and Lovells have passed a final regulatory hurdle in their bid to merge.
NDA plumps for practice group-orientated panel

22 February 2010

The new legal head at the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) has shortlisted advisers for a radically altered panel structure.
Herbies hires A&O lawyer for Spanish finance push

16-Feb-2010

Herbert Smith has hired an Allen & Overy lawyer to build its Spanish finance capability.
Dentons wins DB Regio’s Tyne & Wear Metro work

15 February 2010

Denton Wilde Sapte client and Deutsche Bahn subsidiary DB Regio Tyne & Wear has signed a contract to operate the Tyne & Wear Metro for a period of nine years, with the Government announcing £580m in funding for the PPP project.
Eversheds trio lines up to challenge incumbent chair

15 February 2010

Eversheds chairman Alan Jenkins is facing competition from three other candidates as he attempts to hold on to his position.
Freshfields on Australia: the A&O way is not for us

15 February 2010

Signs emerge of strategic divide in the magic circle over how to target the key markets in the Asia-Pacific region
LG’s own Karate Kid wins flood of praise

15 February 2010

There is a scene in Bruce Lee’s first US film Marlowe in which the kung fu icon accidentally jumps off the top of a skyscraper during a fight scene.
A&O sets up shop in Deacons' old home

9-Feb-2010

Allen & Overy (A&O) is to move into Deacons’ former offices in Sydney following its decision to launch in Australia.
AG launches new bonus scheme for salaried partners

8-Feb-2010

Addleshaw Goddard is proposing to introduce a points-based bonus system for its salaried partners after plans to introduce an all-equity partnership were abandoned.
Hogan Lovells unveils international executive, reveals IP as priority

8-Feb-2010

Hogan & Hartson and Lovells have announced the composition of the 15-member Hogan Lovells International Management Committee (IMC).
A fifth of female lawyers choose kids over careers

8 February 2010

The pressure of motherhood is the reason that 20 per cent of all female departees decide to leave some of the UK’s top 50 firms.
BLP to grow tax team with Lloyds VAT head

8 February 2010

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has expanded its tax capability with the hire of Lloyds Banking Group’s head of VAT Linda Adelson as a partner.
DLA Piper falls in with Kenyan firm

8 February 2010

DLA Piper has expanded its African footprint through an exclusive tie-up with Kenyan firm Iseme Kamau & Maema Advocates (IKM).
Hackney shores up legal with double hire

8 February 2010

The London Borough of Hackney has made two new appointments following a reorganisation of its in-house legal function.
Latham leaves W&C Gulf plans in tatters

8 February 2010

White & Case is one of the biggest legal names in the Middle East with a reputation stemming back 50 years. But by the middle of this week it might be hard to recognise it as the same outfit that has been in growth mode for the past decade.
Lovells opens Jeddah base with Al-Yaqoub

8 February 2010

Lovells has opened an associate office in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia’s second city, through its associate firm Al-Yaqoub Attorneys & Legal Advisers.
Norton Rose happy for more staff to work flexibly

8 February 2010

Norton Rose is expecting the proportion of its staff working flexibly to increase as a result of an initiative it took to prevent job cuts.
White & Case's final Middle East head jumps ship to Latham

5-Feb-2010

The last remaining head of White & Case’s Middle East office has resigned and is understood to be moving over to Latham & Watkins, The Lawyer can reveal.
Watson Farley's top earner pocketed £1.2m in last financial year

4-Feb-2010

Watson Farley & Williams’ (WFW) highest paid partner took home £1.2m in the last financial year, twice the amount made by the firm’s best paid partner in 2007-08, who earned £620,000.
Cheryl Cole's record label revamps legal team

3-Feb-2010

Universal Music UK, the record label for names such as Cheryl Cole and Lady Gaga, has promoted two of its legal team to the roles of director, legal and business.
Cobbetts and Wragges win spots on Circle Anglia panel

3-Feb-2010

Circle Anglia, the social housing provider for London and the South East, has completed a panel review with Cobbetts and Wragge & Co winning places for the first time.
Irwin Mitchell to launch City property practice with hire of former Nabarro partner

3-Feb-2010

Irwin Mitchell is to launch a real estate practice in London and has hired former Nabarro Nathanson real estate head Geoffrey Lander to build it.
GTM turns to DLA Piper for City energy hire

2-Feb-2010

Greenberg Traurig Maher (GTM) has hired DLA Piper partner Neil Upton to run its UK energy practice.
White & Case exodus continues as Latham snares eight more partners

1-Feb-2010

Another eight partners have resigned from across White & Case’s global network to join US rival Latham & Watkins.
Segro names trio of firms for property panel

1-Feb-2010

Property company Segro has appointed three firms to advise it on UK property-related matters.
Fourteen firms win places on Homes Communities Agency panel

1-Feb-2010

National housing and regeneration body the Homes Communities Agency (HCA) has appointed 14 firms to its first major panel.
A&O sets benchmark for part-time work

1 February 2010

When Allen & Overy (A&O) announced it would allow part-time equity partners (The Lawyer.com, 21 January) City firms cried that this was nothing new.
Dentons introduces de-stressing initiative

1 February 2010

All staff at Denton Wilde Sapte are to be given training in stress management in a bid to reduce the cost of ill-health to the firm.
EBRD counsel joins Saudi’s ACWA Power

1 February 2010

ACWA Power International, a Saudi company specialising in major Middle East power and water deals, has hired Juraj Strasser to the newly created role of general counsel (projects).
FFW wins meaty DWP roles on HR, employment

1 February 2010

Field Fisher Waterhouse (FFW) has picked up the position as sole adviser on employment and HR issues for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Fit for purpose

1 February 2010

As legal chief for medical equipment provider and operator Asteral, Antoinette Keane and her team need to consistently prove their worth to sole client the NHS.
Lovells Dubai recruits Hammonds refusenik

1 February 2010

Former Hammonds Direct partner Stephen York has moved over to Lovells’ Dubai office to build a Middle East dispute resolution practice as his dispute with his former firm is understood to be ongoing.
Part-time schemes help firms keep female partners working

1 February 2010

Research by The Lawyer shows direct link between flexible working take-up and female partner retention
SJ Berwin lands Mazabi after real estate hire

1 February 2010

The hire of a Spanish real estate team from DLA Piper has helped SJ Berwin bag a UK hotel deal.
Hogan Lovells passes competition hurdle in Cyprus and Germany

28-Jan-2010

Hogan & Hartson and Lovells have moved one step closer to making their agreed merger a reality after gaining competition clearance in Cyprus and Germany.
BLM is most female friendly firm in UK top 50

27-Jan-2010

Berrymans Lace Mawer (BLM) has the highest proportion of female partners among the top 50 UK firms by turnover, with 35 per cent of its partnership made up of women.
Lovells' staff costs rose by £29m in 2008-09

26-Jan-2010

Lovells had to shell out an extra £29m in staff costs over the last 2008-09 financial year compared with the previous 12 months, the firm’s LLP accounts have revealed.
Vinson taps White & Case for Middle East hire

25-Jan-2010

Vinson & Elkins has hired White & Case capital markets partner Sami Al-Louzi to further develop its Middle East practice.
DLA Piper boosts IP knowhow

25 January 2010

DLA Piper has hired Gareth Morgan from Taylor Wessing as a partner in its IP/IT practice.
Pinsents adds Essex Uni to student digs client list

25 January 2010

Pinsent Masons has won the University of Essex as a new client on a greenfield property development in Colchester.
Simmons dumps bonus scheme after just one year

25 January 2010

Firm applies new criteria after no one gets a penny from 2008-09’s budget-linked payouts
Simmons replaces Middle East chief

25 January 2010

Simmons & Simmons has reshuffled its Middle East management, replacing regional managing partner Paul Simpson with Tim Field.
Wragges loots referral firm for Paris launch

25 January 2010

Wragge & Co has raided its French referral firm Lefèvre Pelletier & Associés (LPA) to launch in Paris with a 10-partner team, reducing the French firm’s total partnership by a third.
Hogan Lovells names management board

21-Jan-2010

Hogan & Hartson and Lovells have finalised the members of the board that will take effect when Hogan Lovells comes into being in May.
A&O introduces partner flexi-time to improve female retention

21-Jan-2010

Allen & Overy (A&O) is to allow equity partners to work part-time in a bid to retain more of its female workforce.
DLA promotes three in London, 41 across the globe

20-Jan-2010

DLA Piper has made three lawyers to its London partnership as part of a 41-strong round, the smallest total number in two years.
Asset manager BLM partners taps Nomura for first GC

18-Jan-2010

London-based asset management firm BLM partners has appointed Jeffrey Iverson as its general counsel.
Brent lawyer moves to Waltham Forest

18 January 2010

?Waltham Forest Council has named Terry Osborne as its new director of governance and law.
Eversheds defends latest outsourcing

18 January 2010

Eversheds has argued that its brand will not suffer as a result of plans to expand its commoditised business arm with the launch of a South African joint venture.
HFW builds bridges in Saudi, Abu Dhabi

18 January 2010

Holman Fenwick Willan (HFW) is launching a two-pronged assault on the Middle East through the establishment of new associations in both Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia.
North East councils reveal first joint panel

18 January 2010

The Five North East local authorities that make up the Tyne & Wear Metropolitan Authority have appointed their first joint legal panel.
Stonewall Equality Index reveals just four firms make gay-friendly grade

18 January 2010

The publication last week of lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) lobbying organisation Stonewall’s annual Workplace Equality Index (TheLawyer.com, 13 January 2010) reveals the progress made by a handful of law firms on promoting more equal workplaces for staff regardless of their sexuality.
What happened to A&O’s first female partner?

18 January 2010

When Clare Maurice was made up at Allen & Overy (A&O) in 1985 she was the sole female partner at the firm.
Winckworth swoops for employment team

18 January 2010

Winckworth Sherwood has scooped Dawsons employment head Jo Keddie together with a three-lawyer team.
Eversheds covets commoditised market with South Africa pilot

14-Jan-2010

Eversheds has begun sending low-level legal work to its South African office as it plans to step up its involvement in the commoditised market.
Simmons named Stonewall's top gay friendly law firm

13-Jan-2010

Simmons & Simmons is the most gay friendly law firm, according to research published today by lesbian, gay and bisexual lobby organisation Stonewall.
DLA misses out as Virgin revamps advisory panel

12-Jan-2010

DLA Piper has lost its spot on Virgin Group’s roster of UK legal advisers as part of the conglomerate’s panel review.
Bakers puts Ma’aden’s Saudi aluminium venture in the can

11 January 2010

Baker & McKenzie has advised Saudi mining firm Ma’aden on a $10.8bn (£6.7bn) joint venture (JV) to develop an aluminium complex in Saudi Arabia.
Can Scott attain Herbies’ Gold standard?

11 January 2010

When incoming Herbert Smith senior partner Jonathan Scott was an undergraduate at St Catharine’s College, Cambridge, he was known for his affability and thoughtfulness rather than his rowdiness.
Dentons buddies up with Tumi in Libya

11 January 2010

Denton Wilde Sapte has expanded its African network into Libya through an exclusive association with local outfit Tumi Law Firm.
North West authorities to set up database of adviser information

11 January 2010

A group of North West local authorities is going to set up an online database to provide information on pricing and contacts for the firms and chambers they instruct jointly.
Pinsents makes the grade with Birkbeck role

11 January 2010

Pinsent Masons has won a role as the go-to adviser for the University of London’s Birkbeck College.
BLP partners increased capital payments by £3.5m in 2008-09

6-Jan-2010

Berwin Leighton Paisner partners increased the total amount of capital in the firm last year by £3.5m.
Marks & Clerk boosts partnership with Simmons hire

6-Jan-2010

Marks & Clerk Solicitors has brought on Simmons & Simmons partner and dispute resolution specialist William Cook to the firm.
New York's Maalouf Ashford launches Saudi base

5-Jan-2010

New York-based Maalouf Ashford & Talbot has opened an office in Saudi Arabia - its first base in the Middle East.
Dentons finalises second round of redundancies

4-Jan-2010

Denton Wilde Sapte has completed a second redundancy consultation, with 27 members of staff leaving the firm. Dentons launched a review of 29 jobs in October last year, with both London and Milton Keynes offices targeted.
Reed Smith taps Herbert Smith for Beijing partner hire

4-Jan-2010

Reed Smith has bolstered its Beijing office with the hire of corporate partner Michael Fosh from Herbert Smith.
Birmingham City Council to open revamped panel to 38 authorities

4-Jan-2010

Birmingham City Council (BCC) has completed the tender for its £6m legal panel, which 38 other local authorities are able to access.
Eversheds’ new three-year Gulf strategy plumps for consolidation over launches

4 January 2010

Eversheds is putting corporate, banking and infrastructure at the heart of a new three-year Middle East strategy that is focused on consolidation.
FFW crushes Rok in High Court dispute over fees

4 January 2010

The High Court has upheld a claim that Field Fisher Waterhouse (FFW) made for unpaid fees from a former client.
LG’s international referral list slashed

4 January 2010

LG is revamping its international network with the aim of reducing the total number of referral firms with which it works.
Mayer Brown real estate finance chief quits

4 January 2010

Mayer Brown’s real estate finance head Iain Thomas has left the firm to pursue a career at LG.
Ofgem goes straight to bar to cut costs

4 January 2010

Energy watchdog Ofgem is going directly to the bar on competition, EC and public law in a bid to save money.
Public sector loses its safety-net status

4 January 2010

At the start of 2009 the public sector was seen by many firms as a cushion against the stagnation riddling their private sector clients.
Mayer Brown grows South American footprint with new alliance

22-Dec-2009

Mayer Brown has expanded its presence in South America through an alliance with Brazilian firm Tauil & Chequer (T&C).
Bakers advises rare Russian IPO

21-Dec-2009

Baker & McKenzie has advised on one of the first Russian IPOs in London since the beginning of the downturn.
Scott wins race to succeed Gold as Herbies chief

18-Dec-2009

Herbert Smith partners have elected competition partner Jonathan Scott as the firm’s new senior partner.
Thompsons Solicitors crowned most diverse in BSN’s latest league table

17-Dec-2009

The proportion of ethnic minority partners at the UK’s largest firms has remained broadly static over the last year, although there are still proportionately far fewer ethnic minority partners than there are trainees.
Two-horse senior partner race at Herbies as Parkes pulls out

16-Dec-2009

Tim Parkes has dropped out of the contest to become Herbert Smith senior partner after the first round of voting.
Insurance giant Prudential names new general counsel

15-Dec-2009

Prudential has appointed its interim general counsel and company secretary Margaret Coltman to the role on a permanent basis.
Ashurst advises Nakheel creditors on Abu Dhabi bailout

14-Dec-2009

Ashurst has scored a victory for the creditors of Dubai real estate company Nakheel with the news that they will be paid off through a bailout from the Abu Dhabi government.
Eversheds replaces A&O on French govt PPP work

14 December 2009

Eversheds has been appointed as sole legal adviser to the French Ministry of Justice for its PPP work, as the UK-originated model expands further on the other side of the Channel.
Martineau creates deputy chief role in management revamp

14 December 2009

Birmingham-based Martineau is to create the position of deputy managing partner to fill in for its globetrotting managing partner.
Nabarro cash injection staves off capital woes

14 December 2009

Nabarro averted a cashflow problem last year by asking partners to inject an extra £5m into the firm.
Sussex authorities to set up joint panel

14 December 2009

A group of 16 local authorities across Sussex are to launch a joint panel for the first time.
Addleshaws to seek new senior partner as Lee steps down

8-Dec-2009

Addleshaw Goddard senior partner Paul Lee has announced that he will stand down when his term comes to an end next April.
DLA restructuring to dramatically scale back Gulf presence

7-Dec-2009

DLA Piper is to cut a further nine per cent of its Middle East-based staff as part of a restructuring that will see its total regional headcount drop by 39 per cent.
Recession stalls firms’ carbon footprint cuts

7-Dec-2009

Many of the UK’s major law firms have reduced their carbon footprints over the last financial year, but the economic downturn has been singled out as an obstacle to further progress.
Eversheds global brand rollout takes a tumble

7 December 2009

Eversheds’ alliance partner in South Africa is embroiled in a legal row with the local Law Society that could have implications for all international firms looking to rebrand associated offices in the country.
Filling the Gulf

7 December 2009

As Dubai’s economy suffers, international law firms are looking at Saudi Arabia as their next port of call. Luke McLeod-Roberts reports on the benefits and drawbacks of launching in the country
Law firms navigate foggy Dubai regulation as UK awaits asset sale

7 December 2009

Lack of Islamic restructuring laws is causing a headache for advisers. By Luke McLeod-Roberts
Smaller practices outperform their larger counterparts in new diversity league table

7 December 2009

The fourth Diversity League Table (DLT) 2009 (TheLawyer. com, 17 December 2009) provokes some interesting observations about the demographics of firms with offices in the UK.
Surrey authorities launch joint legal panel

7 December 2009

Surrey County Council has joined forces with 11 local authorities to appoint 21 advisers to a common panel.
Addleshaws building to be sold as London property market heats up

2-Dec-2009

In a further sign of the central London property market recovering, Addleshaw Goddard’s London headquarters at Milton Gate could be sold at a 6.25 per cent yield, just six months after it was acquired by a joint venture.
Dubai debt group looks to Ashurst

2-Dec-2009

Ashurst has picked up a key role advising a group of bondholders in relation to Dubai’s debt standstill.
City lawyers launch pro bono service for World Aids Day

1-Dec-2009

Law firm LGBT network InterLaw is to launch today a pro bono and community service initiative named Helping Hands (H2) to coincide with World Aids Day.
Addleshaws woos White & Case trade partner

30 November 2009

Addleshaw Goddard has hired a White & Case partner in a bid to grow its trade and commodity expertise.
Addleshaws’ fee income takes 14 per cent hit

30 November 2009

Addleshaw Goddard has announced a 14 per cent drop in fee income for the first six months of the 2009-10 financial year.
Dentons keeps Deutsche Bahn $25bn Qatari rail project on track

30 November 2009

Denton Wilde Sapte has won a significant mandate advising Deutsche Bahn on a $25bn (£15.05bn) project to build Qatar’s rail network.
Nabarro mulls China, India, UAE launches

30 November 2009

Nabarro is set to redraw its international strategy in a shake-up of its traditional UK focus.
North East follows North West’s joint panel plan

30 November 2009

Five North East local authorities are to club together for the first time to create a joint legal panel.
Streamlined firms emerge from ashes of annus horribilis

30 November 2009

A year after the eye of the storm, The Lawyer can reveal how the top UK firms have redrawn their partnerships
Clifford Chance, Allen & Overy bag top roles on Dubai World restructuring

26-Nov-2009

Dubai World has turned to a number of its long-standing advisers on its restructuring and debt standstill.
Six firms clinch places on North East NHS joint panel

25-Nov-2009

Six firms have won places on an NHS joint procurement initiative for the North east of England.
CC promotes support staff from India to associate

23-Nov-2009

Clifford Chance has taken the unprecedented step of hiring two lawyers from its Indian legal support centre as associates in the LLP.
DLA scoops all Kraft work (but not hostile bids)

23 November 2009

DLA Piper has been appointed by Kraft Foods as its new preferred adviser for all international day-to-day work in a first for the multinational company.
First LPO conference creates debate

23 November 2009

Leah Cooper has become something of a celebrity in legal circles. A few months ago she noticed that the team she runs in her capacity as managing attorney at global mining company Rio Tinto was overburdened with menial tasks. But she was unable to justify recruiting further staff in the current economic climate.
Healthy attitude: Louise Guss, Care Quality Commission

23 November 2009

Leading the legal arm of the UK’s health and social regulator is a tough ask, but one that Louise Guss answers admirably. By Luke McLeod-Roberts
Herbies gears up for three-way senior partner battle

23 November 2009

When they turn up to vote next month for who they want to lead their firm for the next five years, Herbert Smith partners will be faced with an unprecedented choice of practice representation. Will they want a partner hailing from competition (Jonathan Scott), corporate (Allen Hanen) or litigation (Tim Parkes)?
Herbies looks to Gatehouse GC to bulk up Saudi finance

23 November 2009

Herbert Smith has hired Gatehouse Capital general counsel Adil Hussain for its Saudi finance practice.
Howard Kennedy in online commercial property sale

23 November 2009

Howard Kennedy, LG and Martin Shepherd & Co have acted on the groundbreaking online exchange of a commercial property.
InterLaw offers 'Helping Hand' to charities

23 November 2009

Law firm lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender network the InterLaw Diversity Forum has launched a new pro bono and community service initiative called ‘Helping Hands’ (H2).
William Grant distils legal role

23 November 2009

?The General counsel at William Grant & Sons Eva Bishop has left the company following a review by the distillers of its executive function.
Gómez-Acebo launches Lisbon office

18-Nov-2009

Gómez-Acebo & Pombo is to open an office in Lisbon, following approval from its partnership today.
Clifford Chance scoops lead role on nuclear power deal

18-Nov-2009

Clifford Chance has scored a major role advising a joint venture (JV) developer of new nuclear plants.
A&O signs outsourcing deal with LPO provider Integreon

18-Nov-2009

Allen & Overy (A&O) has become the first magic circle firm to outsource legal work as an increasing number of UK firms embrace legal process outsourcing (LPO) in a bid to reduce their overheads.
Dentons plays on mid-market nous

16 November 2009

Denton Wilde Sapte will tout its mid-market credentials as part of a new three-year plan to be launched in 2010.
Eversheds to double turnover in Sweden with Södermark tie-up

16 November 2009

Eversheds’ Stockholm office is merging with local commercial litigation specialist Södermark in a bid to double its Swedish turnover within a year.
Kent Council courts Mongolian authority

16 November 2009

Kent County Council is sending a delegation to Inner Mongolia’s largest city Baotou in a bid to capture legal work related to future UK inward investment.
North West authorities create joint legal panel

16 November 2009

Twenty two councils, police and transport authorities have clubbed together to draw up a four-year panel of firms and chambers.
Trio of partners prepare to battle for Herbies senior partner role

13-Nov-2009

Herbert Smith’s CIS head has joined the race to become the firm’s next senior partner, meaning three candidates will now fight it out for the role.
Trio of firms win role on creation of currency trading platform

12-Nov-2009

Clifford Chance, Denton Wilde Sapte and Simmons & Simmons have acted on the creation of a new exchange-traded currency (ETC) platform.
Revenues down seven per cent at Pinsents in first half of year

11-Nov-2009

Pinsent Masons has seen its half-year revenues drop by seven per cent during the first six months of 2009-10 compared with revenues for the same period last year.
Wragges sees dip in first-half turnover

11-Nov-2009

Wragge & Co has experienced a slight drop in turnover for the first six months of the 2009-10 financial year.
BLP's revenues fall five per cent at half-year stage

11-Nov-2009

Berwin Leighton Paisner has reported a drop in revenues of five per cent for the first six months of the 2009-10 financial year.
Watson Farley & Williams raids Lovells for Spanish launch

11-Nov-2009

Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) has launched in Spain through recruiting a five-lawyer team from Lovells with a particular focus on renewables.
Al Tamimi eyes Jeddah as base for Saudi expansion

09 November 2009

Gulf-based firm Al Tamimi & Company is aiming to expand into Jeddah, Saudi Arabia’s second-largest city and commercial hub.
Amlin arms itself with new senior solicitor

09 November 2009

Specialist insurer Amlin has appointed a new senior solicitor as a former member of the syndicate compliance team leaves for Lloyds Market Association (LMA).
LSA poses threat to watertight regulation

09 November 2009

Entity-based regulation provisions that will come in with the Legal Services Act could lead to a serious dumbing down of the regulatory landscape, Greg Treverton-Jones QC of 39 Essex Street warned at The Lawyer Summit 2009.
Pro bono work flourishes in spite of economic downturn

09 November 2009

As National Pro Bono Week kicks off today, legal advice centres up and down the country – supported by private practice and law schools – will seek to showcase their work and bring on much needed new recruits.
Trio of firms advise on sale of US Embassy in London

4-Nov-2009

The US State Department has signed a deal to sell its UK Embassy at Grosvenor Square with Herbert Smith, Maples Teesdale and Lovells bagging key roles.
DLA London partner follows Dubai chief to Australia

2-Nov-2009

DLA Piper projects partner Alex Guy is to join the firm’s Australian alliance partner DLA Phillips Fox alongside Dubai head Tony Holland.
Abu Dhabi entrants on hold due to govt caution

02 November 2009

International firms looking to enter the competitive Abu Dhabi market may have to rethink their plans, with the emirate considering a moratorium on further launches.
Dentons seals Nasdaq-Kuwaiti exchange deal

02 November 2009

Denton Wilde Sapte has advised established client Nasdaq OMX Group on a strategic partnership with the Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE).
GTM bags real estate boss from Eversheds

02 November 2009

Greenberg Traurig Maher (GTM) has continued its City recruitment drive by launching a real estate practice with the hire of partner Tim Webb from Eversheds.
Is HMRC guilty of turning Halabi’s White Tower into a white elephant?

02 November 2009

Resurgent market could see City property portfolio snapped up. By Luke McLeod-Roberts
Mayer Brown names new real estate head

02 November 2009

Peter Sugden has been made head of real estate in London for Mayer Brown.
Tatchell speech ushers in BLP's LGB network

02 November 2009

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) formally launched its lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) network last week with a talk on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) legal equality given by human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell.
Wragges sets up unit to track down web posters

02 November 2009

Wragge & Co has established a new team that will seek to trace people posting comments online.
Burges Salmon and Pinsents advise on Sellafield land sell-off

30-Oct-2009

Burges Salmon and Pinsent Masons have advised on the sell-off of land next to the Sellafield nuclear plant.
Slaughters halves fee-earner bonus, maintains support staff payment

30-Oct-2009

Slaughter and May has halved its annual bonus for fee-earners, while maintaining bonuses for non-fee-earners at the same level as last year.
DLA Dubai chief takes charge of Australian alliance

30-Oct-2009

DLA Piper’s Dubai head has been named as CEO of the firm’s exclusive Australian alliance firm, DLA Phillips Fox.
Garrigues posts 13 per cent revenue hike

29-Oct-2009

Spain’s largest law firm Garrigues has seen revenues rise 12.6 per cent over the past financial year to hit €334.3m (£303.8m).
DLA revamps regional management as Scotland, Manchester heads retire

26-Oct-2009

DLA Piper has carried out a management overhaul in its Edinburgh, Glasgow and Manchester offices.
3 Serjeants' Inn appoints new joint head

26 October 2009

Medical, police and employment law specialist set 3 Serjeants’ Inn has elected John Beggs QC as its new joint head of chambers, replacing Robert Francis QC.
Brick Court backs BAA conflict claim in competition inquiry

26 October 2009

Airport operator BAA has turned to Brick Court Chambers silks Nicholas Green and Mark Hoskins as it appeals a Competition Commission ruling that it claims effectively forced it to sell three of its airports. The airports include Gatwick, which was sold for £1.5bn last week to Global Infrastructure Partners.
Gómez-Acebo prepares for Lisbon launch as Uría Menéndez chief quits

26 October 2009

Spain’s Gómez-Acebo & Pombo is planning to open in Lisbon in January just as Uría Menéndez’s Lisbon co-managing partner leaves the firm’s office in the Portuguese capital.
Housing associations team up for joint instructions

26 October 2009

Six housing associations have clubbed together for the first time to instruct law firms jointly and reduce their respective legal bills.
Links bolsters Madrid public law dept

26 October 2009

Linklaters has appointed José Giménez to lead the firm’s public law and regulated sectors capability in Madrid.
Pinsents’ relationship with Salans scoops role on HSBC deal

26 October 2009

The recently forged alliance between Pinsent Masons and Salans has helped the firms pick up a role advising HSBC and Rabobank International on a cross-border financing deal.
Roots manoeuvres

26 October 2009

Many of the self-proclaimed Iberian firms are casting their nets wider than ever before and finding that history is on their side. By Luke McLeod-Roberts
Shoosmiths lawyer deemed offensive

26 October 2009

Shoosmiths head of social housing Andy Ballard has fallen foul of the ‘strict code of political correctness’ after he said he wanted to recruit younger Guardian readers to his team.
Shoosmiths staff take voluntary pay cut

26 October 2009

Ninety per cent of Shoosmiths staff earning over £25,000 have agreed to take a 3.5 per cent pay cut, but the 10 per cent who were opposed to the move will not see their earnings reduced.
Simmons & Simmons hits back at ‘CR is PR’ critics

26 October 2009

Amid the reaction to news that Simmons & Simmons is putting corporate responsibility (CR) at the heart of its new business strategy (The Lawyer, 19 October), there is a resounding tone of scepticism about the firm’s true motivations.
Pinsents mourns death of former Masons chief

22-Oct-2009

The former global managing partner of Pinsent Masons legacy firm Masons Tony Bunch has died after suffering a brain tumour.
Trio of top City firms advise on £1.5bn Gatwick sell-off

21-Oct-2009

Allen & Overy (A&O), Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Slaughter and May have advised on the sale of Gatwick Airport, Britain’s second-busiest airport.
Simmons goes all-out on corporate responsibility

19-Oct-2009

Community work to feature on timesheets and appraisals in radical rethink of business plan
Dentons takes role for Chinese quartet after Standard Bank tip

19 October 2009

Denton Wilde Sapte has advised four Chinese banks on a $1bn (£630m) loan to Standard Bank of South Africa.
DLA Piper breaks into Latin America

19 October 2009

DLA Piper is opening an office in Brazil to function as a springboard into the rest of Latin America.
Eversheds aids MoJ on prison PFI framework

19 October 2009

Eversheds has been instructed by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) to help it establish the procurement framework for its multibillion-pound newbuild prisons PFI programme.
Royal Dutch Shell review to slash law firm roster

19 October 2009

Royal Dutch Shell has begun a full-scale review of its legal advisers with a view to reducing the total number of firms on its roster.
Shoosmiths establishes two new social housing teams

19 October 2009

Shoosmiths is hoping to capture an extra £1m in fees through the launch of two social housing teams in Milton Keynes and The Solent.
Clifford Chance acts on sale of O2 Arena to Cambridge University

15-Oct-2009

Clifford Chance has advised on the sale of the O2 entertainment site at Greenwich to Trinity College Cambridge for £24m.
DLA's Middle East head steps down, Kuwait chief named as successor

14-Oct-2009

DLA Piper’s Middle East regional managing partner David Church is to step down next year and will be replaced by the head of the firm’s Kuwait office, Abdul Aziz Al-Yaqout.
Cuatrecasas mobilises taskforce to aid country's savings banks

14-Oct-2009

Spanish law firm Cuatrecasas Gonçalves Pereira has launched a multidisciplinary team to specifically advise the country’s troubled savings banks.
Dentons makes second wave of redundancies

13-Oct-2009

Denton Wilde Sapte has begun a second redundancy consultation with 29 members of staff likely to be affected.
Beachcroft hikes financial institutions team

12 October 2009

Beachcroft has hired two new partners to its financial institutions group.
Downturn sees DWF ‘move timeline’ for top 30 goal

12 October 2009

DWF managing partner Andrew Leaitherland has revised his vow to bring the firm into the top 30 in revenue terms by 2010, but has pledged further office launches in the longer term.
Ealing to re-examine overflow firm roster

12 October 2009

The London Borough of Ealing is to look at reviewing its three-year-old panel of external law firms advising on overflow work.
Govt dept issues tender for sole adviser

12 October 2009

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is looking for a single firm to advise it on employment and HR issues.
NDA’s new legal chief puts panel under the microscope

12 October 2009

The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) is to resume its panel review following the arrival of Robert Higgins as head of legal.
Russell-Cooke hit by court action from widow

12 October 2009

Russell-Cooke is facing a court action from an elderly widow, who is claiming breach of duty against the firm and the executors of her late husband’s will.
Scottish councils call on Pinsents as government changes tack on PFIs

12 October 2009

Pinsent Masons has won a role on a major waste deal that could mark a volte-face over the Scottish government’s opposition to PFIs.
Vodafone rejigs legal team in bid to keep pace

12 October 2009

Vodafone UK has drastically overhauled its in-house legal capacity as rivals Orange UK and T-Mobile UK eye a tie-up that, if successful, would create the UK’s largest mobile provider and push Vodafone into third place behind O2.
Davis Polk, Shearman advise on £5bn Brazilian IPO

7-Oct-2009

Shearman & Sterling has advised the underwriters on Brazil’s biggest IPO to date - the $8bn (£5bn) listing of Banco Santander’s Brazilian subsidiary.
Michael Simkins hires former Addleshaws employment partner

5-Oct-2009

Media firm Michael Simkins has hired a former Addleshaw Goddard partner to head its employment practice.
Magic circle trio win BBVA sale and leaseback work

05 October 2009

A trio of magic circle firms along with Slaughter and May best friend Uría Menéndez have advised on the e1.2bn (£1.1bn) sale and leaseback of a Spanish property portfolio.
Martineau opens on Saturdays for convenient, covert divorces

05 October 2009

The family team at Birmingham-based Martineau has established a Saturday-morning practice so that rich potential divorcés can get a more discreet service.
Travers Smith splashes a million on green venture

05 October 2009

Travers Smith has founded a not-for-profit organisation that will enable the firm’s lawyers to work pro bono to help reduce carbon emissions.
Vinson & Elkins eyes Saudi Arabia launch

05 October 2009

Vinson & Elkins is in discussions to open in Saudi Arabia, with an office launch mooted for the first quarter of 2010.
Simmons advises underwriters in Unite Group fundraising

29-Sep-2009

Simmons & Simmons has advised underwriters JPMorgan Cazenove and Numis on a £82m fundraising for student housing company Unite Group.
Circle Anglia to reassess its roster of law firms

28 September 2009

Circle Anglia, the social housing provider for London and the South East, has launched a root-and-branch review of its legal advisers.
HSBC and Deutsche Bank turn to Dentons for IDB sukuk issuance

28 September 2009

Denton Wilde Sapte has advised HSBC and Deutsche Bank as underwriters on an $850m (£524.7m) sukuk issuance by the Islamic Development Bank (IDB).
Possible sole adviser role for new LSB panel

28 September 2009

The Legal Services Board (LSB) is to launch a major new panel with the possibility of a single law firm winning the pitch.
Procter & Gamble Euro GC joins Activision

28 September 2009

Procter & Gamble (P&G) Western Europe general counsel Christopher Walther has left the company to become legal chief at a computer game publisher.
Saudi firm Bafakih embraces alternative billing with yearly subscription strategy

28 September 2009

Saudi Arabian firm Bafakih & Nassief is introducing alternative billing structures by offering its clients unlimited advice in return for a one-off annual fee.
Weightmans commences with delayed promotions

28 September 2009

Liverpool-based firm Weightmans has kicked-off its partner promotion process after taking the decision to delay any promotions from the spring to give it more time (The Lawyer, 18 May).
A&O corporate partner becomes Sheriff of London

25-Sep-2009

Allen & Overy (A&O) corporate partner David Wootton has been elected as Sheriff of London.
Eversheds Nottingham chief retires after three decades at firm

25-Sep-2009

The head of Eversheds’ Nottingham office is to step down from the role of senior office partner after 31 years at the firm.
Norton Rose bolsters Paris competition practice with Salans hires

23-Sep-2009

Norton Rose has hired a competition team led by Mélanie Thill-Tayara from Salans for its Paris office.
Herbies advises banks on Barratt rights issue

23-Sep-2009

Herbert Smith has advised Credit Suisse and UBS as joint sponsors, joint bookrunners and placing agents on Barratt Development’s £720m rights issue, which was announced today.
Procter & Gamble GC takes top legal job at PC games publisher

23-Sep-2009

Procter & Gamble western Europe general counsel Christopher Walther has left the company to become legal chief at a computer game publisher.
A&O's Italian employment team jumps ship to LabLaw

21-Sep-2009

Italian employment law boutique LabLaw has hired the entire employment team from Allen & Overy’s Milan office.
A&O’s communication training sparks gender row on soft skills

21 September 2009

News that Allen & Overy (A&O) is mooting training its associates in soft skills has generated a critical response from some readers of TheLawyer.com. What seems to have antagonised many people is the fact that the initiative, which involves client networking and communication skills, specifically targets women.
Firms vie for Midlands development panel places

21 September 2009

Regional development agency Advantage West Midlands has asked law firms to tender for its revamped panel.
Focus: Lateral thinking, Berwin Leighton Paisner

21 September 2009

Big money, big hires. While other firms batten down the recruitment hatches, BLP has hired five laterals this year. Can the firm justify this expenditure?
HCA invites firms to bid for panel

21 September 2009

The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), the newly-created public body charged with regenerating England’s housing stock, land and infrastructure, is asking firms to pitch for its legal panel.
LG brought in by Gazprom for advice on Shtokman

21 September 2009

LG has won a major instruction advising Gazprom on the development of the multibillion- pound Shtokman project – the vast offshore gas field belonging to Russia.
Manches lusts after Halliwells’ best bits

21 September 2009

Manches is hoping to acquire the most profitable parts of Halliwells’ business despite abandoning merger talks with the firm.
Weightmans merger ‘can’t be ruled out’

21 September 2009

Weightmans will moot the possibility of a merger at its next partner meeting, which takes place in November.
Shoosmiths moots pay cuts for all staff

18-Sep-2009

Shoosmiths has asked all staff to consider a 2.5 per cent pay cut in order to save jobs, with employees making a decision over whether to accept this over the next few weeks.
Halliwells managing partner steps into exec chairman role

18-Sep-2009

Halliwells managing partner Ian Austin has stepped down from the role as part of a management rejig that sees him take up the newly-created position of executive chairman.
Linklaters and Garrigues strengthen Spanish litigation and insolvency teams

16-Sep-2009

The Madrid office of Linklaters and Spain’s largest firm Garrigues have both made moves to strengthen their domestic litigation and insolvency expertise.
Lovells goes live with Saudi association

14-Sep-2009

Lovells has launched an association in Saudi Arabia with local firm Al Yaqoub Attorneys and Legal Advisers, The Lawyer can reveal.
A&O teaches female associates to communicate

14 September 2009

Allen & Overy (A&O) is piloting a career development scheme aimed at teaching associates how to communicate ‘powerfully’ with clients and colleagues.
Ashurst strengthens PFI reputation with Durham, Sandwell BSF deals

14 September 2009

Ashurst has helped clients Carillion and Interserve close two strategic Building Schools for the Future (BSF) projects in Durham and Sandwell.
Harper Macleod sets up retail practice

14 September 2009

Harper Macleod has launched a specialist retail practice group across its Glasgow, Edinburgh and Inverness offices.
LG to ditch salaried partners

14 September 2009

LG is considering axing its salaried partner role as part of a move to save money and streamline its partnership.
McDermott unveils London private client practice

11-Sep-2009

McDermott Will & Emery has launched a private client practice in its London office with a view to aligning the service with that in its New York offering.
Fasken hires eight-strong team from Howard Kennedy

9-Sep-2009

Fasken Martineau has boosted its London office after completing the hire of an eight-strong projects team from Howard Kennedy.
Sodexo finalises panel with places for nine firms

8-Sep-2009

Food and facilities management company Sodexo has completed a three-month panel review, with nine firms winning places on the new roster.
A&O's top-earning partner pocketed £2.3m last year

8-Sep-2009

Allen & Overy’s highest-earning partner in the last financial year was paid a total of £2.3m, according to the firm’s Annual Review 2009.
Centre forward

UK200 2009

The magic circle has its reputation, the regional players lower fees. What can the London mid-market draw on in these tough times? asks Luke McLeod-Roberts
The sound of silence

UK200 2009

Despite a tough year, most firms are still prepared to publish their financial results. A minority are keeping tight-lipped. By Luke McLeod-Roberts
Thirsty work

31 August 2009

For someone who doesn’t drink much, Sabine Chalmers has made a niche for herself in the top legal post at Anheuser-Busch InBev.
SRA names members of revamped board

18-Aug-2009

The new members of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) board have been announced, two months after TheLawyer.com revealed that there was ill feeling between the SRA and the Law Society over the appointments process.
A&O partner joins Mumbai office of Indian alliance firm

18-Aug-2009

Allen & Overy (A&O) partner Srinivas Parthasarathy is to leave the firm’s Singapore office to take up partnership at the Mumbai office of A&O’s Indian alliance firm Trilegal.
Leading real estate practices shrink by 18 per cent as recession bites

12-Aug-2009

The combined turnover of the top 20 UK real estate practices fell by 18 per cent in the last financial year, down from £977m in 2007-08 to £804m, research by The Lawyer has revealed.
Arbitrary decision

10 August 2009

Firms and sets may look at Saudi as a golden ticket, but the country is still wrestling with the creation of a credible legal system that will satisfy international business.
Brabners wins employment role for BCC

10 August 2009

North West firm Brabners Chaffe Street has won a role advising the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) on employment matters.
Cobbetts coy over profit as figures fall

10 August 2009

Cobbetts has declined to comment on its profit and mounting speculation that its margin has plummeted to unprecedented levels.
Kuwait head joins DLA Piper's LLP board

10 August 2009

Abdul Aziz Al-Yaqout, the recently appointed head of DLA Piper’s Kuwait office, has been elected as a member of the firm’s international LLP board.
Lovells prepares for Saudi launch

10 August 2009

Lovells is poised to move into Saudi Arabia after spending several months attempting to ink a deal.
Munby J to chair Law Commission

10 August 2009

The Law Commission has announced Mr Justice Munby as its next chair.
Which way now?

10 August 2009

The Middle East may be the spiritual home of Islamic finance, but the region needs to decide in which direction the practice is headed.
Anheuser-Busch shuns Lovells in panel review

7-Aug-2009

Lovells has lost out on a place on global drinks company Anheuser-Busch InBev’s legal panel due to its role advising rival SAB Miller.
Pinsents considers making cash call

7-Aug-2009

Pinsent Masons is looking into the potential of asking partners to put more cash into the business in a bid to boost its coffers.
Eversheds guides Carlisle PFI project to financial close

5-Aug-2009

Eversheds has advised its long-standing client Balfour Beatty on the £176m Carlisle Northern Development Route (CNDR) PFI project.
Ashurst set to steer National Express through takeover

3 August 2009

A raft of City firms is lining up to advise on the proposed takeover of transport company National Express.
Dentons sails through shipbuilding pitch to save MoD £350m in 15 years

3 August 2009

Denton Wilde Sapte has advised the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) on a 15-year shipbuilding deal with BVT Surface Fleet.
Equity arrivals dent PEP at Forsters

3 August 2009

The addition of new equity partner hires has contributed to a substantial drop in the average profit per equity partner (PEP) figure at Forsters this year.
FFW pursues former client for unpaid fees

3 August 2009

Field Fisher Waterhouse (FFW) is heading for a High Court showdown with a former client, which is understood to have disputed that it ever instructed the firm.
Pinsents wins RSA HR, employment gig

3 August 2009

Pinsent Masons has beaten off competition from Addleshaw Goddard and Eversheds to win an exclusive role advising insurer RSA on employment and HR issues.
Withers’ profit, PEP decreases despite 5 per cent turnover rise

3 August 2009

?Withers’ net profit margin fell to 15 per cent in the past financial year, a drop of six percentage points on the previous financial year’s figure, while average profit per equity partner (PEP) dropped by 24 per cent.
White & Case prepares for Qatar launch

28-Jul-2009

White & Case is to launch a Qatar office, which will be the firm’s third outpost in the Middle East.
Clifford Chance, Freshfields win key roles on Porsche's VW merger

28-Jul-2009

Clifford Chance, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Hengeler Mueller have picked up lead roles advising on the merger of German car companies Volkswagen (VW) and Porsche.
BAA’s new GC to shake up advisers

27 July 2009

BAA is poised to carry out a review of its external legal advisers following the recent appointment of Carol Hui as the airport operator’s general counsel.
BLP keeps top earners sweet despite profit dip

27 July 2009

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) spent in the region of £10m on its international expansion during the 2008-09 financial year, The Lawyer can reveal, but top earners have been unaffected by the resultant drop in profitability.
Dundas maintains healthy profit margin despite PEP decrease

27 July 2009

Dundas & Wilson experienced a 20 per cent drop in average profit per equity partner over the past financial year, but continued to operate with a relatively high profit margin.
Freeth Cartwright suffers 36 per cent drop in PEP

27 July 2009

Midlands-based Freeth Cartwright has posted an average profit per equity partner (PEP) of £150,000, a 36 per cent drop on the previous financial year’s PEP of £233,000. Turnover at the firm fell by 3 per cent to hit £32.5m.
LG puts 35 per cent PEP hit down to trading conditions

27 July 2009

LG has posted a 35 per cent drop in profit per equity partner (PEP) for the 2008-09 financial year, with equity partners taking home an average of £281,000 - down from £430,000 the previous year.
Nabarro seals real estate sale for Land Securities

27 July 2009

Nabarro has advised longstanding client Land Securities on one of the largest property sales in the West End so far this year.
Pinsents and Salans put merger on ice

27 July 2009

Pinsent Masons and Salans were considering carrying out a merger, but ruled it out in the short term because of the financial cost, The Lawyer understands.
Turnover stands firm at Bond Pearce

27 July 2009

Turnover has remained steady at Bond Pearce over the 2008-09 financial year, with the firm bringing in £48m, equal to 2007-08’s figure.
Martineau turnover down ten per cent; PEP drops by a quarter

21-Jul-2009

Birmingham-based Martineau has posted a 24 per cent drop in profit per equity partner (PEP) for the 2008-09 financial year.
Al Tamimi scoops HSBC Riyadh project

20 July 2009

The Saudi office of Middle East law firm Al Tamimi & Company has picked up a role as sole legal adviser to HSBC on a £180m industrial real estate deal.
BLP turns to Freshfields for tax boost

20 July 2009

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has continued with its strategy of bulking up its tax practice by picking former Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer director Alan Sinyor to join its strategic tax team.
DLA job cuts give rise to enmity between Aussie, UK lawyers

20 July 2009

DLA Piper managing director for Europe Andrew Darwin was in Dubai last week.
Garrigues names new chiefs in bumper year

20 July 2009

Spain’s largest law firm Garrigues has revealed the names of its new joint managing partners just as it expects to break the e300m (£259.9m) revenue barrier for the first time.
Pannone announces 3 per cent increase

20 July 2009

Pannone brought in a turnover of £52.5m for the 2008-09 financial year, a 3 per cent increase on the total of £50.8m for 2007-08.
Pinsents on Sussex Uni’s first panel

20 July 2009

Pinsent Masons has picked up the main role on the University of Sussex’s first-ever legal panel following advice to the institution on dealing with student activism.
Pinsents tipped to win extra work in Serco review

20 July 2009

Advisers to contract and facilities management company Serco are awaiting the company’s imminent panel review, with Pinsent Masons expected to expand its workload as a result.
White & Case seals prison PFI role for Serco Group

20 July 2009

Longstanding White & Case client Serco has been awarded preferred bidder status on the £600m Belmarsh West and Maghull new-build prisons PFI, The Lawyer understands.
BLP's PEP slides to £414,000 as revenue remains steady

16-Jul-2009

Berwin Leighton Paisner’s average profit per equity partner (PEP) figure fell 33 per cent on last year’s total of £620,000, down to £414,000.
PEP falls 21 per cent at Pannone as revenue nudges up

15-Jul-2009

Pannone brought in turnover of £52.5m in the 2008-09 financial year, a three per cent increase on the total of £50.8m for 2007-08.
Weil Gotshal advises on $2bn Showtime Arabia merger

13-Jul-2009

Weil Gotshal & Manges and Linklaters have landed lead roles on a major $2bn (£1.2bn) Middle East media merger.
Bakers relocates two partners to Abu Dhabi

13-Jul-2009

Baker & McKenzie has relocated two more partners to Abu Dhabi as it seeks to build its fledgling office in the jurisdiction.
Addleshaws nudges out Ashurst on Skanska PFI

13 July 2009

Skanska has turned to Addleshaw Goddard rather than long-term adviser Ashurst to assist on its first-ever move into a burgeoning area of UK PFI work.
BLP’s Moscow raid sees Pepeliaev extend equity

13 July 2009

Russian firm Pepeliaev Goltsblat & Partners (PGP) has overhauled its partnership system in the wake of the departure of joint managing partner Andrei Goltsblat and a team of 70 lawyers to Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP).
Garrigues out of sight of rivals as Spanish sector starts to feel the economic pinch

13 July 2009

The Spanish legal market grew by 11 per cent during 2008, but the economic downturn has slowed its growth, which stood at 16 per cent in 2007.
Nabarro in redundancy talks as turnover dips by 10 per cent

13 July 2009

Nabarro’s equity partners will take home 35 per cent less this year than last, as turnover at the firm drops by 10 per cent to £126.5m.
Ombudsman criticises SRA for 'poor' decisions

10-Jul-2009

The Legal Service Ombudsman (LSO), Zahida Manzoor, has highlighted a drop in performance at the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) over 2008-09.
Lovells lands Segro takeover of Brixton

10-Jul-2009

Lovells and Clifford Chance have advised on Segro’s takeover of Brixton, which was agreed yesterday (9 July).
A&O’s PEP pips a million as currency exchange boosts revenues to a billion

10-Jul-2009

Weak sterling has helped generate a seven per cent increase in global turnover at Allen & Overy (A&O), which brought in £1.091bn for the 2008-09 financial year.
Martineau anoints new senior partner after leadership race

9-Jul-2009

Andrew Whitehead, the head of energy at Birmingham-headquartered Martineau, has become the firm’s new senior partner after a contested election.
Nabarro in new redundancy round as PEP drops 35 per cent

8-Jul-2009

Nabarro has launched a second round of redundancy talks with 19 staff after posting a 10 per cent fall in turnover for the 2008-09 financial year.
Garrigues tops Spanish revenue league

8-Jul-2009

Garrigues continues to be the largest Spanish law firm both in terms of income and total number of lawyers, but revenue per lawyer (RPL) is still substantially lower than at its major competitors.
Weil Gotshal takes starring role in Trafalgar Square public art project

6-Jul-2009

Weil Gotshal & Manges has advised the artist Antony Gormley on the groundbreaking Fourth Plinth project in Trafalgar Square.
Focus: Sainsbury's, Pitched battle

6 July 2009

When Sainsbury’s GC Nick Grant asked panel firms to take part in a Dragons’ Den-style pitch, the legal world raised its eyebrows. But the event was, in fact, a surprising success
NDA panel review on ice in anticipation of new legal head

6 July 2009

The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority’s (NDA) panel review has been put on hold as a result of a new head of legal being appointed to the body.
Vinson guides Sinopec through Addax Petroleum acquisition

6 July 2009

Vinson & Elkins is advising Chinese oil company Sinopec International Petroleum Exploration and Production Corporation on its proposed $8.8bn (£5.3bn) takeover of Addax Petroleum.
Working the land

6 July 2009

The real estate market might be in the doldrums, but agricultural land is holding its own.
Revenue up 12 per cent at Hill Dickinson, PEP falls

3-Jul-2009

Hill Dickinson has posted fee income of £82m for the 2008-09 financial year, an increase of 12 per cent on the previous year’s total of £73.1m.
Ashurst advises National Express on nationalisation of East Coast line

1-Jul-2009

Ashurst is advising National Express on the planned termination of its East Coast mainline franchise.
Nabarro's Spanish best friend quits alliance after Gomez-Acebo merger

30-Jun-2009

Nabarro’s Spanish alliance firm Rodes y Sala is to merge with Gomez-Acebo & Pombo and exit its year-old alliance relationship with the UK firm.
Addleshaws PEP down a third as revenues dip by 11 per cent

29-Jun-2009

Addleshaw Goddard has brought in £173.3m for 2008-09, a drop in fee income of 11 per cent from the previous financial year.
DLA Kuwait, Bahrain head to quit

29-Jun-2009

The office managing partner of DLA Piper’s Kuwait and Bahrain offices - Alex Saleh - is to leave the firm.
Addleshaws goes back to school with phase three of Bradford refurb

29 June 2009

Addleshaw Goddard has been reappointed by Bradford Council to advise on phase three of the £400m Building Schools for the Future (BSF) project.
Ashurst lands banks role on Slovakian PPP project

29 June 2009

Ashurst has won the instruction to help a 12-strong banking consortium reach financial close on the R1 Expressway, Slovakia’s first-ever road PPP project.
SRA bristles as Law Society puts new chairman in place

29 June 2009

The recent appointment of Charles Plant - a former Herbert Smith litigation partner and member of the Legal Services Consultative Panel - as the next chair of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) (TheLawyer.com, 22 June) will pique the interest of many - apparently including those at the SRA.
The pitch of the year: Apple seeks sole European legal adviser

29 June 2009

Apple Retail, the division of the iconic computer manufacturer’s business that is responsible for all its stores, has launched a search for a sole external adviser for Europe, in what will be one of the hardest-fought tenders of the year.
Wragges’ office move put on ice by developer

29 June 2009

Wragge & Co is to have its move into new Birmingham headquarters delayed by a year because the developer has yet to fill the rest of the building.
A&O's Bamber to join BLP in acquisition finance push

26-Jun-2009

Berwin Leighton Paisner has hired Allen & Overy leveraged finance partner Andrew Bamber into its banking and capital markets department.
SRA names Herbies consultant as next chair

22-Jun-2009

Herbert Smith consultant Charles Plant has been appointed as the next chair of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) board.
BLP cuts 85 jobs at the end of consultation

22-Jun-2009

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has cut 85 jobs at the end of a redundancy consultation that got underway in May.
CC, Lovells lay groundwork as Segro sets sights on rival

22 June 2009

Clifford Chance and Lovells are involved in the preliminary stages of real estate investment trust (Reit) Segro’s proposed takeover of rival Brixton - a move that would create the largest industrial property company in the UK.
Dentons’ partnership shrinks by half-a-dozen

22 June 2009

Six lawyers have left the partnership at Denton Wilde Sapte across the banking, corporate, dispute resolution and tax departments since the end of March.
Govt schools body extends legal roster

22 June 2009

Partnerships for Schools (PfS), the public body charged with supporting the Government’s Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme, has launched an expanded panel after placing costs at the centre of the review.
Pinsents – first firm to offshore work of qualified UK lawyers

22 June 2009

National firm to outsource litigation work to South Africa as offshoring revolution gathers pace
Slaughters seals £350m rights issue for Punch Taverns

22 June 2009

Slaughter and May has advised longstanding client Punch Taverns on a £350m rights issue, the second of its kind in the pub industry.
DLA slashes Middle East headcount by nine per cent

18-Jun-2009

DLA Piper has cut nine per cent of its Middle East workforce in a second round of job cuts in the region.
Rio Tinto outsources legal work to India

18-Jun-2009

Mining giant Rio Tinto has embarked on an outsourcing project that will see part of its internal and external legal needs outsourced to India.
Cobbetts' fee income falls by 16 per cent

17-Jun-2009

Cobbetts has posted a drop in fee income of 16 per cent for the 2008-09 financial year but has yet to finalise its turnover figure.
Simmons promotes four to partnership

16-Jun-2009

Simmons & Simmons has promoted four new associates to its partnership, representing a drop of almost 80 per cent on last year’s bumper crop.
Herbies and SJ Berwin act on sale of Addleshaws' building

15-Jun-2009

Herbert Smith and SJ Berwin have advised on the £127m acquisition of Addleshaw Goddard’s new City offices.
BPE closes in Birmingham after Irwin Mitchell raid

15-Jun-2009

BPE Solicitors has closed its Birmingham office following the departure of its Midlands team to Irwin Mitchell.
Law Soc and SRA in face-off over board selection

15-Jun-2009

The Law Society and the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) are locked in a turf war over the appointment process for the SRA board.
Addleshaws 19 partners lighter since start of year

15 June 2009

Nineteen Addleshaw Goddard partners have resigned from the firm’s LLP since January 2009, with the corporate practice bearing the brunt of the losses.
Govt penalties mooted for carbon-heavy firms

15 June 2009

Under the terms of new Government regulations the UK’s largest law firms could face costly civil and criminal proceedings if they fail to report their electricity consumption accurately for public scrutiny.
Iberdrola calls on Simmons as Sellafield land rush hots up

15 June 2009

Simmons & Simmons has won a key role advising Iberdrola on its bid for land at Sellafield, as the Spanish utility seeks to avoid being left out in the cold in the UK’s new civil nuclear energy race.
Slaughters plays pivotal role as Greene King toasts £30m swoop

15 June 2009

Slaughter and May has advised Punch Taverns on the sale of 11 managed pubs to Greene King for £30.4m.
Watson Farley's turnover hits £73.5m in 2008-09

11-Jun-2009

Watson Farley & Williams saw turnover rise 25 per cent in the 2008-09 financial year, buoyed by the depreciation of sterling during this period.
Pinsents to launch redundancy talks

11-Jun-2009

Pinsent Masons is looking to launch redundancy talks after announcing a turnover rise of 1 per cent in the last financial year.
Wragges to cut 85 more jobs as a result of turnover slump

10-Jun-2009

Wragge & Co has launched a second redundancy consultation after its turnover dropped 17 per cent in the 2008-09 financial year.
HBJ puts faith in London real estate expansion

10-Jun-2009

HBJ Gateley Wareing is growing its London real estate base with the hire of Joseph Mazzucca from White & Case.
Focus: Dentons

8 June 2009

Denton Wilde Sapte’s newest partners are optimistic about their firm’s future. But is the excitement of being made up going to their heads?
Pinsents and Salans forge alliance

8 June 2009

Pinsent Masons has signed an alliance with international firm Salans that will see the top-25 firms preparing joint pitches and referring work to each other.
Recession sparks stress epidemic in profession

8 June 2009

The recession is leading to record numbers of lawyers suffering from stress and depression, according to health advice line for the legal profession LawCare.
Smaller firms more female-friendly

8 June 2009

Partnership promotions are down across the board this year, but in smaller UK firms female lawyers are faring better than at their larger counterparts.
CC and DLA advise on sale of stake in A&O's London office

5-Jun-2009

DLA Piper and Clifford Chance have advised on Hammerson’s sale of a 75 per cent interest in Allen & Overy’s global headquarters at London’s One Bishops Square in a deal valuing the building at £445m.
Dentons posts massive drop in PEP to £300,000

4-Jun-2009

Denton Wilde Sapte has recorded a 36 per cent drop in average profit per equity partner (PEP) for the 2008-09 financial year.
Firms line up for roles on GM bankruptcy

2-Jun-2009

A raft of firms have won roles advising on the restructuring of the European arm of car manufacturer GM, which filed for bankruptcy in the US yesterday (1 June).
Lovells real estate chief lines up post-retirement role with Welbeck Land

2-Jun-2009

Lovells real estate head Bob Kidby has been appointed as a non-executive director at property developer Welbeck Land ahead of his retirement from Lovells next year.
Pinsents and Salans seal international alliance

2-Jun-2009

Pinsent Masons has signed an alliance with international firm Salans that will see the two top 25 firms preparing joint pitches and referring work to each other globally.
DLA Piper extends Gulf sway with Bahrain base

1 June 2009

DLA Piper is to launch in Bahrain, making it one of the few international firms with offices in every single Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) jurisdiction.
Ex-Latham Middle East chief returns to Vinson

1 June 2009

LATHAM & Watkins partner Rindala Beydoun has moved back to the Dubai office of her former firm Vinson & Elkins after less than a year, having been stripped of the Latham Middle East managing partner role.
Olympic village is torch bearer for East London regeneration dream

1 June 2009

Law firms will play a pivotal role in delivering Olympic village success.
Former Lovells Dubai chief to target energy work at Baker Botts

29-May-2009

Lovells former Dubai head Shibeer Ahmed is looking to target energy work in his new role as a partner at Baker Botts although he will not, as had been suggested, be running an office.
A&O makes up 15 to role of counsel

29-May-2009

Allen & Overy has promoted 15 to the position of counsel, an alternative career path created by the firm in 2006.
Addleshaws opts for global alliance strategy

25 May 2009

ADDLESHAW Goddard is to move towards what reinsurance partner Richard Leedham calls a “Herbert Smith-style” alliance of preferred firms in Europe, while tightening up its roster of US referral firms.
LLST chief calls for advice centre funding overhaul

25 May 2009

With an increasing number of people joining job queues and getting their houses repossessed, the demand for free social welfare legal advice has never been greater.
SJ Berwin builds up Gazeley ties with £1.8bn letting

25 May 2009

SJ Berwin and Maxwell Winward have advised Gazeley and the UK Logistics Fund (UKLF) on a £1.8m-a-year let to a European Airbus manufacturer.
Bircham cuts 15 jobs at end of second consultation

22-May-2009

Bircham Dyson Bell has completed a second redundancy consultation, which has seen 15 jobs cut at the top 80 firm.
Ashurst scoops lead role on M25 widening project

21-May-2009

Ashurst client Connect Plus consortium has reached financial close on the £6.2bn M25 widening project.
London lawyers raise £380,000 for charity on sponsored walk

19-May-2009

London’s legal community yesterday smashed its own fundraising record by £20,000, generating £380,000 for the London Legal Support Trust.
Another 85 jobs to go in Addleshaws restructuring

18-May-2009

Addleshaw Goddard has launched a firm-wide restructuring, which is expected to see 85 non fee-earners lose their jobs, fee-earners work reduced hours and salaries cut.
Sainsbury’s rolls out Dragons’ Den-style contest

18-May-2009

Sainsbury’s general counsel Nick Grant has challenged the firms on his legal panel to compete against each other in a Dragons’ Den-style contest.
Dentons seals end of Qatar monopoly with Vodafone IPO

18 May 2009

Denton Wilde Sapte has advised Vodafone Qatar on its $950m (£621m) IPO on the Doha Securities Market - one of the first multinational companies to list on a Middle East exchange.
Female courage pays dividends as Al Tamimi relaunches Baghdad office

18 May 2009

United Arab Emirates firm Al Tamimi has reopened its office in Baghdad three years after the Iraqi security situation forced the firm’s lawyers in the country to withdraw.
Notts colleges unite for joint legal panel

18 May 2009

The University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University are joining forces for the first time to create a joint legal panel.
Vodafone brings in general counsel from Telefonica Europe

18 May 2009

Vodafone UK has appointed former Telefonica Europe general counsel Justine Campbell as its legal and government affairs director.
Weightmans delays 2009 promotions

18 May 2009

Weightmans has pushed back its 2009 promotions from May to November, with managing partner Patrick Gaul citing the need to give the process more time.
Finers turns to Addleshaws for fifth lateral this year

12-May-2009

A former Addleshaw Goddard partner has moved over to Finers Stephen Innocent to work in the firm’s employment team.
Attorney General sets up ‘Youth Network’

11 May 2009

The Attorney General’s office is launching a ‘Youth Network’ to increase access to the legal profession and encourage young people to respect the law.
Ex-Addleshaws partner creates Leeds-based IP boutique

11 May 2009

The former national head of IP at Addleshaw Goddard has joined forces with niche IP firm Robinsons to create a new IP boutique called Kempner Robinson.
Female associates see partner-level promotions increase – marginally

11 May 2009

The proportion of female associates made up to partner level this year at the top 30 UK firms has risen slightly - from 25 per cent of new partners in 2008 to 27 per cent.
Focus partner promotions: Forgotten generation

11 May 2009

The recession has seen promotions dry up. Is this a necessary step or a knee-jerk reaction?
Halliwells dip fails to shake confidence

11 May 2009

Halliwells has revealed a turnover of £83m for the 2008-09 financial year, a drop of 4.6 per cent on last year’s total of £87m.
Hill Dickinson adds commodities nous with Middleton Potts tie-up

11 May 2009

Hill Dickinson is to merge with London boutique Middleton Potts in a move designed to boost the Liverpool-headquartered firm’s commodities expertise.
Legal teams advise power giants on next generation nuclear plants

11 May 2009

The UK is one step closer to having a new generation of nuclear power stations, following the successful acquisition of three sites by potential developers.
Promotions: corporate wins out

11 May 2009

Associate careers special: corporate and finance most prevalent in partnership rounds despite recession
Tods Murray leads way on £170m Fife hospital deal

11 May 2009

Scotland’s Tods Murray has helped its client Consort Healthcare (Fife) reach financial close on the £170m Fife General Hospital and Maternity Services PPP.
Browne Jacobson leads the regions with seven new partners

7-May-2009

Browne Jacobson has promoted seven new partners, bringing the total number of partners at the Midlands-based firm to a record total of 67.
Partner promotions down across the UK top 30

6-May-2009

A fuller picture is emerging of the next generation of partners at UK firms, with data compiled by The Lawyer showing an overwhelming trend at the top 30 UK firms of shrinking its promotion numbers this year.
Halliwells first to reveal 09 financials as revenues dip

6-May-2009

Halliwells has revealed revenues of £83m in turnover for the 2008-09 financial year, a drop of 4.6 per cent on last year’s total of £87m.
Hill Dickinson to merge with Middleton Potts

5-May-2009

Peter Jackson, Hill Dickinson
BLP unveils London layoff programme for 85

5-May-2009

Berwin Leighton Paisner has launched a redundancy consultation today affecting 85 people in its London office.
Ashurst, Links brew up £207m rights issue for Greene King

4 May 2009

Ashurst and Linklaters have advised on the £207m rights issue for pub operator and brewer Greene King that will enable it to raise money to buy more properties.
Brabners institutes management rejig

4 May 2009

Brabners Chaffe Street has restructured its management, with Michael Brabner stepping down as managing partner after 15 years in the role. Brabner’s role will be taken over by former Manchester head Mark Brandwood. He will also continue in his role as a corporate fee-earner. Clients include Kinetic, Cooke Group and ServiceSource. Brabner will in turn become senior partner. On 1 May 2009 the firm merged with regional social housing specialist Bremners Solicitors.
Pinsents Dubai lands spot on UAE uni panel

4 May 2009

Pinsent Masons’ Dubai office has picked up a role advising the United Arab Emirates University following the institution’s first formal tender process for an external legal adviser.
A&O promotions: more women, more in banking

1-May-2009

Allen & Overy has made 20 promotions to the partnership this year, forty per cent of whom are women.
A&O redundancy programme ends with 400 layoffs

29-Apr-2009

Allen & Overy has completed a redundancy programme which has seen at least 400 partners and staff lose their jobs globally and cost the firm £44m.
UK associates lose out as DWS, Watson Farley favour overseas promotions

28-Apr-2009

Denton Wilde Sapte has made six new appointments to the partnership, half of the total promoted at the firm last year. The majority are based in emerging markets.
FFW holds steady with four promotions to partnership

27-Apr-2009

Field Fisher Waterhouse will promote four new partners this year, the same number as were promoted internally in 2008.
Cuatrecasas battens down the hatches

27 April 2009

CUATRECASAS Gonçalves Pereira has taken a number of fireproofing measures to insulate the business from the impact of the recession.
Eversheds branches into Saudi Arabia

27 April 2009

Eversheds is opening in Saudi Arabia through an alliance with Saudi practice Hani Al Qurashi Law Firm
Hill Dickinson to scrap salaried partner role

27 April 2009

Hill Dickinson is getting rid of the salaried partner role as part of an overall restructure of its partnership model.
Pink practice

27 April 2009

The effective representation of minorities can be patchy in any sector, but when it comes to sexual orientation, is the legal profession falling behind?
Willkie Farr & Gallagher scores role on £2.5bn pharma M&A job

27 April 2009

Willkie Farr & Gallagher has advised US dermatology company Stiefel Laboratories on its $3.6bn (£2.5bn) takeover by pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)
Promotions plummet at Hammonds with six making the grade

24-Apr-2009

Hammonds is to promote six to its partnership, a dramatic fall from last year’s record total of 19 promotions.
LG and Nabarro promote three partners apiece

23-Apr-2009

Nabarro and LG have both made up three partners this year, a fall from the five apiece promoted at the firms last year.
BLP favours real estate as seven gain partnership

21-Apr-2009

Berwin Leighton Paisner has made up seven to its partnership this year, with the real estate practice the biggest beneficiary.
Addleshaws comes up smelling of roses with waste management scoop

20 April 2009

Europe’s largest waste PFI has seen Addleshaws strike up relationships with new clients.
Dell review set to axe inherited panel firms

20 April 2009

Computer manufacturer Dell is carrying out a root-and-branch review of its roster of UK external advisers with the aim of creating a number of individual sub-panels.
Law Soc, Stonewall launch first major gay careers survey

20 April 2009

Study aims to establish if gay and lesbian lawyers are coming up against a different glass ceiling
Nabarro trials conflict avoidance audit service with Sperry Marine

20 April 2009

Nabarro is piloting a low-cost alternative to disputes after developing a conflict avoidance system for clients.
LG cuts 33 jobs at end of second round of talks

16-Apr-2009

LG has completed a second redundancy consultation, with 33 members of staff losing their jobs.
Trowers lays off 17 in London

16-Apr-2009

Trowers & Hamlins has made 17 members of staff redundant in its London office, following a third consultation at the firm. This brings the total number of redundancies at the firm to 28.
Pinsents promotes eight to partnership

14-Apr-2009

Pinsent Masons will add eight new partners to its ranks this year, with promotions taking effect on 1 May.
Conference call

13 April 2009

As transactional markets tighten in the Middle East, firms might welcome advice on how best to mould individual business models to meet client demands and foster existing client relationships to hold on to key work.
Former BLP partner faces disciplinary tribunal

13 April 2009

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has referred former Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) property partner Vinay Veneik to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) on four separate allegations.
Healthcare watchdog shakes up legal teams

13 April 2009

The legal teams at the NHS regulator and all other adult healthcare supervisory bodies have been overhauled with the creation of super-watchdog the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Linklaters São Paulo head quits for Proskauer Rose

13 April 2009

Linklaters has lost the head of its São Paulo office, finance partner David Fenwick, to Proskauer Rose.
Six of the best

13 April 2009

If during 2008 many firms equated the Middle East with bulking up a Dubai office with lawyers from London and New York, in 2009 there has been a paradigm shift. This shift consists of an increased focus on other Middle East and North Africa (Mena) markets and recruitment from within the region.
Wragges promotes just one in this year's round

8-Apr-2009

Wragge & Co has made up just one lawyer to its partnership this year, a fall from last year’s total of nine.
Brabners and Bremners amalgamate

6 April 2009

North West firm Brabners Chaffe Street will merge with Liverpool firm Bremners Solicitors on 1 May to create a social housing powerhouse for the region.
Brabners cuts 15 jobs at end of consultation

3-Apr-2009

Brabners Chaffe Street has completed a second redundancy consultation which has seen 15 members of staff lose their jobs.
Trowers slashes benefits for Middle East lawyers

2-Apr-2009

Trowers & Hamlins has cut benefits for its Middle East staff, potentially reducing individual employees’ disposable income by thousands of pounds.
Lovells launches Dubai real estate practice

1-Apr-2009

Lovells has launched a Middle East real estate practice with the recruitment of a former Al Tamimi partner.
DWF turnover hits £60.1m in 2008-09

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DWF generated turnover of £60.1m in the past financial year, a rise of nine per cent on the £55.3m it made in 2007-08.

The LawyerLuke McLeod-Roberts Editorial

The Lawyer
Luke McLeod-Roberts Editorial