Online January 2013
The Lawyer
Antitrust and EU Competition
A command of international antitrust and EU competition rules is an essential element of any successful business strategy in today’s global economy.
Aviation legal update — EU regulation 261/2004 and limitation download
This briefing covers a judgment of the European Court of Justice.
Banking and finance litigation update — issue 59 download
The Banking and finance litigation update is published monthly and covers current developments affecting DLA Piper’s area of practice and its clients during the preceding month.
Cartel participants in Croatia receive fines
In January 2013, the Croatian Competition Agency, for the second time in its practice of imposing direct fines, fined four private companies involved in a cartel agreement.
Council for State Aid in BiH holds inaugural meeting
The inaugural meeting of the Council for State Aid in BiH (the ‘council’), a body formed thanks to the Law on State Aid in Bosnia and Herzegovina (the ‘law’), was held at the end of last year.
DLA Piper advises on establishment of reinsurer
DLA Piper has represented Fosun International in its private equity investment in Peak Reinsurance Holdings Limited, a Bermuda reinsurer with operations in Asia.
DLA Piper announces US leadership appointments
DLA Piper has announced several office leadership appointments in the US.
DLA Piper represents Fibra UNO for share offering
DLA Piper has represented Fibra UNO, Mexico’s first publicly traded REIT, in its third global public offering before the Mexican Stock Exchange and in the international markets, valued at approximately US$1.7bn.
ESCO financing — an overview download
This note from DLA Piper discusses the ‘ESCO’ financing model of implementing energy-efficiency projects.
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia issues 'keenly anticipated' finance laws
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSD) has issued five finance laws, which — according to the head of Al Tamimi’s Corporate and Commercial Department in Riyadh — have been keenly anticipated for some time.
Krogerus advises on Deltamarin acquisition
Krogerus has advised AVIC International Investments on the Finnish law aspects of its acquisition of naval architecture and engineering company Deltamarin.
Krogerus advises on the reorganisation of Handelsbanken's life insurance business
Krogerus has acted has lead counsel in the reorganisation of Handelsbanken’s Nordic life insurance business.
Krogerus advises SOK on share divestment
Krogerus has advised SOK Corporation on its 60 per cent divestment of the shares in Finnish agribusiness Hankkija-Maatalous to DLA International Holding, a subsidiary of the DLA Group in Denmark.
Landis+Gyr hires Walker Morris as sole employment law adviser
Landis+Gyr, which specialises in smart metering, has appointed Walker Morris as its sole legal adviser for employment law in the UK.
MOLITOR promotes Huppertz to partner
Martina Huppertz has been promoted to partner in MOLITOR Avocats à la Cour’s banking and finance practice.
Serbian banking sector and sovereign debt prospects for 2013
While 2012 was marked by parliamentary elections and the formation of the new government in July, the financial markets in Serbia seem likely to offer investors some very interesting opportunities in 2013.
Shoosmiths advises SecureData Europe on acquisition
Shoosmiths has advised August Equity’s SecureData Europe on its acquisition of Quadrant Networks.
Shoosmiths CEO Claire Rowe looks ahead to 2013
Claire Rowe looks ahead to 2013.
Shoosmiths competes for customer satisfaction award
Shoosmiths’ work with clients’ customers who have mental health issues has put it in line for a top customer satisfaction prize.
Shoosmiths gets high rank for volume of deals in 2012
Shoosmiths has been ranked number three in the UK Experian Corpfin Advisor League Tables and M&A for volume of deals done in 2012.
Shoosmiths records best month for new homes plot sales
Shoosmiths has recorded its best month for new homes plot sales since the firm started formally recording data nearly nine years ago.
Simon Airey — Head of Corporate Crime, Investigations and Compliance Director, National Tax Investigation
Simon was a barrister in private practice for 12 years before joining DLA Piper and has extensive experience of a broad range of litigation at all levels of the court system.
Walker Morris boosts real-estate group with three appointments
An increase in commercial property work has led Walker Morris to boost its real-estate group with three new appointments.
Walker Morris launches latest Little Green Book of Real Estate
Walker Morris has launched its latest Little Green Book of Real Estate in ibook and ebook formats and a printed pocket-sized version.
Walker Morris lawyers advise on Zaha transfer to Manchester Utd
Walker Morris sports lawyers have advised on Wilfried Zaha’s transfer deal from Crystal Palace to Manchester United.
Walker Morris's Corporate Group reports increased activity in 2012
Walker Morris has announced that its Corporate Group completed more than 120 deals in 2012 — a 24 per cent increase on the previous year.
"Chaotic" Jackson reforms will mean a "raft of litigation"
The MoJ’s implementation of the Jackson reforms has been chaotic and will result in a raft of satellite litigation, says LSLA president Francesca Kaye
A broad's church
Hear that? It’s the sound of a (stained) glass ceiling being smashed by a lawyer, as Pump Court Chambers barrister Ruth Arlow is appointed as the first female chancellor of the diocese of Norwich.
A&O and McCanns lead for Bord Gais as Irish asset sale begins
Allen & Overy (A&O) and McCann Fitzgerald have won lead roles as Ireland’s state-owned energy provider Bord Gáis Éireann (BGE) prepares to sell off its energy business in the first major asset sale by the Irish government.
A&O partner Michael Reynolds elected as IBA president
Allen & Overy partner Michael Reynolds has been elected as the new president of the the International Bar Association (IBA).
A&O, Bakers and Freshfields advise as €5.2bn UPS-TNT deal falls through
Allen & Overy (A&O), Baker & McKenzie and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer have advised as the proposed €5.2bn (£4.2bn) takeover by UPS of Dutch delivery group TNT Express collapses after failing to get past the European Commission (EC).
Accused silk points finger at 39 Essex Street over VAT fraud charge
Former 39 Essex Street silk Rohan Pershad QC, who is facing allegations of VAT fraud, thought his chambers paid his VAT bill for him, a jury has heard.
Addleshaws' highest earner pocketed £600k in last financial year
Addleshaw Goddard’s highest paid partner received a profit share of £592,789 in 2011/12, up by nearly 27 per cent on the previous year’s top payout of £467,580.
Addleshaws, Hogan Lovells, Links lead as Lloyds sells pub group to PE house
Addleshaw Goddard, Hogan Lovells and Linklaters all had roles on US private equity house Cerberus Capital Management’s £200m acquisition of pub group Admiral Taverns from Lloyds Banking Group.
Administrative issues
The Cobbetts administration highlights the importance of partners knowing their firm’s financial position, say Rita Lowe and Andrew Jackson
AIG Asia in-house litigation head joins Thai firm Tilleke & Gibbins
AIG Asia assistant general counsel Aaron Le Marquer has swapped his in-house career for private practice after joining Thai firm Tilleke & Gibbins as a consultant in Bangkok.
Akin Gump launches new Singapore office
Akin Gump has opened an office in Singapore, with two lawyers relocating from the US to lead the base.
Allen & Gledhill and Clyde & Co in Singapore negligence row
Singaporean firm Allen & Gledhill, Clyde & Co and City shipping boutique Waterson Hicks are embroiled in a lawsuit filed by a Swiss Bank against the Singaporean firm over alleged negligent advice.
Allen & Overy prepares to shift US and European support roles to Belfast base
Support staff across Allen & Overy’s (A&O) US and European offices will have their jobs moved to Belfast as the firm beefs up the role played by its Support Services Centre.
Appleby elects Asia-based partner as new group chair
Appleby has become the second major offshore firm to elect a female head, picking Hong Kong partner Frances Woo as its new chairman.
Ashurst and SNR Denton take lead roles on Jessops administration
Ashurst and SNR Denton have been appointed to advise on the administration of camera seller Jessops.
Ashurst appoints new EU competition partner in Italy
Ashurst has added Italian antitrust veteran Denis Fosselard as a new partner in its European competition team.
Ashurst joins local firms on Aviva's sale of Malaysian joint venture
Ashurst and a group of Malaysian firms have advised on the RM1.8bn (£373m) sale of Aviva’s Malaysian joint venture CIMB-Aviva to Sun Life Financial and Khazanah.
Ashurst uses quick-fire questioning to gauge support for US merger deal
Ashurst is sounding out partners on a US merger amid attempts by the firm’s management to get buy-in for the idea of a Stateside tie-up.
Ashurst's former Spanish corporate head set to leave firm
Former Ashurst Madrid corporate chief and longstanding partner Jesús Almoguera is set to leave the firm after standing down from the practice head position late last year.
Asian firms to spearhead Myanmar expansion
Two of South East Asia’s largest firms, Rajah & Tann and Zaid Ibrahim & Co, have announced plans to expand into Myanmar.
Australia's Gadens expands into Singapore with Clifford Chance hire
Australian national firm Gadens Lawyers has hired a Clifford Chance Singapore-based counsel to lead the launch of its Singapore office.
Bakers names former IP head as successor to London chief Senior
Baker & McKenzie has elected IP partner Paul Rawlinson to succeed Gary Senior as managing partner of its London office.
Bakers snatches senior foreign lawyer from Kim & Chang ahead of Seoul launch
Baker & McKenzie has appointed Korean lawyer Seong Soo Kim as a partner in its banking and finance and Korea practices in Hong Kong.
Balfour Beatty to sign deal with Pinsents as part of cost-cutting drive
Pinsent Masons is on the brink of signing a deal with Balfour Beatty that will see it become the sole legal provider for at least some areas of its external needs.
Barclays panel delayed as bank moves away from biennial reviews
Barclays has delayed its panel review planned for this summer by 12 months as the banking giant embarks on a plan to scrap its practice of reassessing law firm rosters on a two-yearly basis.
Barrister contracts: let battle commence
Competition between barristers and solicitors is on the rise, and the friction is starting to show between the profession’s representative bodies.
Bevan Brittan advising on first local authority defamation claim
One of the country’s smallest local authorities could be the first to bring defamation proceedings under the Localism Act 2011.
Bevan Brittan scoops mandate to advise SRA on Cobbetts administration
Bevan Brittan partner Iain Miller is advising the SRA on the fallout of Cobbetts’ demise after the firm today confirmed that it plans to call in the administrators (30 January 2013).
Bindmans set for CoA in Tony Nicklinson 'right to die' case
Bindmans is taking the Tony Nicklinson ‘right to die’ case to the Court of Appeal (CoA) after his wife Jane was given permission to proceed with her late husband’s legal battle.
Bingham promotes two City lawyers in 13-strong round
Bingham McCutchen has elected two lawyers to its London partnership as part of a 13-strong global promotions round.
Birmingham Law Centre appeals to council in survival battle
Birmingham Law Centre has turned to Birmingham City Council as it fights for its future, warning that without local support it could close.
Blackstone's Pannick fails to persuade Supreme Court to extend privilege to accountants
The Supreme Court has refused to extend legal privilege to accountants offering tax advice.
BLP and Nabarro advise as Google acquires site for new UK HQ
Nabarro took the lead advising Google on the acquisition of a site for its new headquarters at Kings Cross, while Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) and Hogan Lovells advised the landowners.
Bonelli and White & Case scoop lead roles on €2.5bn Generali deal
Italian firm Bonelli Erede Pappalardo and White & Case have taken the lead roles as Italy’s largest insurer Generali acquires a 49 per cent stake in joint venture partner PPF Group, a Czech and Dutch private equity group.
Brazilian boutique expands into Europe with Paris office
Brazilian boutique Brandi Partners is going international with offices in Paris and Dubai as well as associations in Portugal and Turkey.
Bredin Prat joiner takes lead role on Virgin Megastore insolvency
Bredin Prat partner Olivier Puech has picked up a mandate from collapsed French entertainment company Virgin Megastore just days after joining the firm from Gide Loyrette Nouel.
Bredin Prat makes rare lateral hire from Gide
French firm Bredin Prat has made its first lateral hire for 18 months, picking up Gide Loyrette Nouel restructuring partner Olivier Puech.
Bringing your religious beliefs to work – what are the limits?
Nadia Eweida’s success at the ECHR doesn’t mean that wearing religious symbols in the workplace is an automatic entitlement, says Cherie Booth QC
Bristows client Sony fined over hacking of PlayStation users' personal details
Bristows client Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) has been fined £250,000 by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) after hackers gained access to the personal details of millions of online gamers via the PlayStation Network in 2011.
Canada's Gowlings takes baby steps towards becoming global player
Canadian firm Gowlings used its partnership conference at the end of last year to prepare its partners for life at a global business as the firm eyes up merger opportunities.
Capita to enter LPO market after Poland-based pilot for Pinsents
Outsourcing giant Capita is set to enter the legal process outsourcing (LPO) market after running a successful pilot with Pinsent Masons.
Cardiff University follows Welsh Government's lead in panel revamp
Cardiff-based Hugh James has landed a place on Cardiff University’s revised legal panel alongside Eversheds, Geldards, Morgan Cole and SGH Martineau, which have all been reappointed.
Carey Olsen links up with BVI firm in Caribbean push
Channel Islands-headquartered firm Carey Olsen has entered into an association with two-partner British Virgin Islands (BVI) outfit Hempel & Boyd in a bid to strengthen its Caribbean offering to clients.
Catastrophe averted as Hunter the cat returns to Inner Temple
A popular member of the Inner Temple who went missing has returned safe and sound.
Charles Russell's wage bill slashed after all-equity move
Charles Russell’s partner wage bill dropped from £3.3m to £245,844 in 2011/12 as a result of the firm overhauling its partnership structure in 2011.
China Watch - A foreign lawyer's view from the inside
Christmas is behind us, the new year is upon us and new leadership has taken the helm here in China, so it seems to be a good time to take a look at what the foreign firms in China may have on their regulatory wish-list for the coming year.
City misses out as K&L Gates makes up 47 partners across its network
K&L Gates has promoted 47 lawyers to its partnership across 21 of its offices, with 10 new partners coming in from Europe but no new partners named from London.
City sackings hit five-year high, reveals Pinsent Masons
Job losses in the City reached the highest level since the peak of the financial crisis in 2008, data obtained by Pinsent Masons has revealed.
City solicitor wins key data roaming case against T-Mobile
A City litigator has won back nearly £600 in data roaming charges incurred on holiday in Australia after successfully fighting T-Mobile over her new mobile phone contract.
Cleary's Freeman leaves for CAT as one of four new chairmen
The former chairman of the Competition Commission is to leave US firm Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton to take up the post of chairman at the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) as the judicial body appoints four to the panel of chairmen.
Clifford Chance makes first Aussie lateral hire since 2011 launch
Clifford Chance has hired former Allen & Overy (A&O) Australian competition partner Dave Poddar, its first lateral partner hire since its 2011 launch in Australia.
Clifford Chance senior partner tells PM Cameron to stay in the EU
Clifford Chance senior partner Malcolm Sweeting has joined with CBI president Roger Carr and Virgin Group Founder Richard Branson to call on the Government to stay in the European Union to help bolster business.
Clydes and Eversheds embrace sector-led social networking
Clyde & Co and Eversheds have both launched sector-focused social networking programmes aimed at increasing business development activities, particularly among the firm’s associates.
Clydes begins consultation with 10 support staff
Clyde & Co has become the latest firm to announce a redundancy consultation in 2013, with fewer than 10 support staff jobs at risk.
Clydes hires boost New Jersey base
Clyde & Co has expanded in the US with the addition of a three-strong team to its New Jersey office.
Clydes names insurance expert Burns as successor to senior partner Payton
Clyde & Co partner James Burns will succeed Michael Payton as senior partner of the firm after he stood unopposed, The Lawyer can reveal.
Clydes took £23m loan to fund post-merger office move
Clyde & Co took a loan of £23.6m in the 2011/12 financial year to help fund the firm’s move to new offices in London.
Clydes, cases and cat-astrophes
It had to happen eventually. As we reported last year, one of the City’s longest-serving law firm heads, Clyde & Co senior partner Michael Payton, is stepping down in 2013. Today, his replacement has been unveiled.
CMS Cameron McKenna partners put extra £7.7m into firm in 2011/12
CMS Cameron McKenna partners put an extra £7.7m into the business in 2011/12, the firm’s LLP accounts have revealed.
CMS launches redundancy consultation with 40 jobs at risk
CMS Cameron McKenna has today launched a review of its UK and CEE business that has placed 40 roles in the UK at risk of redundancy.
CMS takes latest administration role as Blockbuster UK calls in Deloitte
CMS Cameron McKenna has been instructed to advise the administrators of DVD and video rental chain Blockbuster’s UK arm, which today became the fourth British high-street casualty in two months and the second in a week.
CMS, Morgan Lewis lead as Shell signs $10bn shale gas deal with Ukraine
CMS Cameron McKenna, Morgan Lewis & Bockius and local firm Asters have been retained as legal advisers on the Ukrainian side of several aspects of a 50-year production sharing agreement (PSA) deal between Royal Dutch Shell and the Ukrainian government to develop the country’s untapped shale gas resources in a bid to put an end to its dependence on Russian gas supplies.
CoA costs ruling a blow to Jackson reforms, say litigators
The Court of Appeal has allowed a claimant to depart from her stated costs budget in the first case to test budgeting in defamation proceedings.
Cobbetts' path to administration
Manchester firm Cobbetts has confirmed its intention to appoint administrators and is actively seeking a buyer for its business. Here we look back at the events that led the firm from a merger-hungry North West leader in 2004 to a firm on the verge of collapse in 2013.
Cobbetts' Saudi alliance firm in the dark over deal's future
Cobbetts’ Saudi Arabian alliance partner has been left in limbo following the Manchester firm’s decision to file notice to appoint administrators on Monday.
Cobbetts seeks buyer as administrators are called in
Manchester firm Cobbetts is set to enter administration and is looking for buyers after filing a notice to appoint administrators on Monday.
Cobbetts to enter administration
So, another one bites the dust: Cobbetts is set to file for administration, following in the line of Halliwells, Manchester’s Donns and the UK arm of
Cobbetts: market expresses sadness but little surprise
Senior lawyers at other regional firms have suggested that a lack of clear strategy and failure to capitalise on rapid growth in 2003 and 2004 may have contributed to Cobbetts’ financial difficulties.
Cobbetts: the morning after
Sad but not surprised. That seems to be the sentiment surrounding the demise of Cobbetts, formerly one the UK’s most prestigious regional firms, which filed
Conditional-fee deal to gift Dickson Minto £1m bonus on Barr-Britvic merger
Dickson Minto is set to receive a bonus of more than £1m from client AG Barr when the drinks company’s merger with Britvic completes after the firm agreed a conditional fee for its advice on the deal.
Court of Appeal refuses to delay Liverpool FC trial
The boardroom battle over Liverpool Football Club has attracted criticism from the Court of Appeal after the club’s former owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, attempted to delay the start of the High Court trial (see judgment).
Debevoise's Mary Jo White picked by Obama to head the SEC
The head of Debevoise & Plimpton’s litigation practice Mary Jo White is expected to be named by President Barack Obama today as the new head of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Dewey's US LLP seeks to recover £36.7m from UK arm
Dewey & LeBoeuf’s UK arm has been hit by a £36.7m claim from the firm’s US LLP, as the latest report filed by administrators reveals more than £40m sought by unsecured creditors.
Dickson Minto's nervous wait for £1m success fee
The rumour mill tells us that Dickson Minto is about to move into the 22nd century by launching a super-modern website with individual partner profiles, but there are some ways in which the Anglo-Scottish firm is being even more zeitgeisty than its rivals.
Digital: The evolution of business development for corporate lawyers
By Colm Hannon, managing director, eSocialMediaColm Hannon
Direct access bar payment scheme launches with 10 chambers on board
A number of chambers have signed up to the new Barco initiative, which has now been approved by the FSA.
DLA Piper adds global international arbitration co-chair in Singapore
DLA Piper has hired Shearman & Sterling counsel Yu Jin Tay in Singapore as a partner and global co-chair of its international arbitration practice.
DLA Piper gains approval for South Korea launch
DLA Piper will launch its South Korea office tomorrow after getting approval from the country’s Ministry of Justice to practise international law there.
DLA Piper takes projects quintet from King & Wood Mallesons
DLA Piper has hired a group of five finance and projects lawyers led by partner Carolyn Dong from King & Wood Mallesons in a bid to strengthen its relationships with major Chinese energy companies.
DLA Piper to shut Glasgow and offload defendant insurance teams as redundancy talks continue
DLA Piper has confirmed that it will shut its Glasgow office in the coming months and is on the cusp of agreeing deals with takers for its defendant insurance practices following the conclusion of a collective consultation.
DLA Piper's Darwin moves to Sydney
DLA Piper UK head Andrew Darwin is transferring to Australia to become the firm’s country managing partner.
Dundas turns to Cass for help delivering more for less
Scottish firm Dundas & Wilson has teamed up with Cass Business School to launch a legal project management and business programme for its partners and staff.
DWF acquires ailing Cobbetts in pre-pack deal
DWF has rescued ailing firm Cobbetts in a pre-pack deal confirmed by DWF’s managing partner Andrew Leaitherland in an email to staff earlier this afternoon.
DWF acquires Fishburns as its hunt for a second Scotland merger continues
DWF has acquired professional indemnity practice Fishburns as the North West firm continues to seek out another bolt-on in Scotland.
DWF circles as Cobbetts prepares for administration
DWF is understood to be reviving tie-up talks with Cobbetts, after the latter filed notice to appoint administrators on Monday.
Edwin Vanderbruggen, VDB Loi, Yangon
The biggest challenge facing the Myanmar market centres on problems in raising financing for large ticket deals.
EMW, Morgan Cole and Shoosmiths install Cambridge software group's MBO
EMW, Morgan Cole and Shoosmiths have all won headline roles as WestBridge Capital backs the £6m management buyout (MBO) of Cambridge-based Anglia Business Solutions in return for a 43 per cent stake in the business.
Entries open as The Lawyer prepares for expanded awards ceremony
The Lawyer Awards 2013 in association with Travelers is open for entry, and the biggest night in the legal profession’s calendar has got even bigger.
Estonia's Glikman and Alvin Rödl join forces
Estonian law firms Glikman & Partnerid and Alvin Rödl & Partner have announced their decision to merge to form Law Firm Glikman Alvin & Partners.
European moves: 10 January 2013
All the latest partner hires and other appointments within Continental European firms and offices.
European moves: 24 January 2013
All the latest partner hires and other appointments within Continental European firms and offices.
Eversheds CEO: "Everything we've done has had culture at the heart"
Eversheds chief executive Bryan Hughes has told The Lawyer in an exclusive interview that “everything we’ve done has had culture at the heart”, as news broke that 166 staff at the firm face the axe.
Eversheds culls again
It’s beginning to look like commercial law firms alone could threaten Britain’s fragile recovery in employment – jobseeker numbers dropped from 7.8 per cent to 7.7 per cent in the three months to November 2012 – with more firms every week announcing redundancy consultations.
Eversheds cuts debt on back of growth year, accounts reveal
Eversheds paid down nearly £20m of its debts in 2011/12, as the firm’s top line returned to growth for the first time in three years.
Eversheds hires Comet GC in wake of retailer's collapse
Eversheds has hired the former general counsel of collapsed electrical goods retailer Comet as extra support in its dispute resolution team.
Eversheds revamps management of Vienna base
Eversheds has named a new managing partner for its Vienna office, as the incumbent steps down after completing his two-year term.
Eversheds scoops up Salans' Shanghai employment team
Eversheds has taken on a team of four employment lawyers from the Shanghai office of Salans, which is to merge with SNR Denton in the coming months.
Eversheds to cull 166 jobs across the UK and Asia as new strategy takes hold
Up to 166 jobs are at risk across Eversheds’ UK and Asia offices, with the firm’s Copenhagen office set to disappear altogether, as the firm seeks to realign itself under its new strategy.
Everything Everywhere lawyer relaunches Lawyers' Secular Society
An in-house lawyer at mobile network operator Everything Everywhere has relaunched the Lawyers’ Secular Society (LSS).
Ex-Fried Frank staffer accused of stealing $376,000 worth of ink
A man who worked at US firm Fried Frank Shriver & Jacobson has been charged with stealing $376,000 worth of copy-machine toner from the firm’s New York office.
Farrers begins redundancy talks with up to 12 jobs at risk
Farrer & Co has launched a redundancy consultation, with 12 staff, including one fee-earner, facing the axe.
Fenwick and O'Melveny join local firm as Cisco buys Israeli software group
US firms Fenwick & West and O’Melveny & Myers and Israel’s Herzog Fox & Neeman have landed roles as Cisco acquires Israeli software maker Intucell for an estimated $475m (£300m).
FFW, Mayer Brown advise as Abramovich invests in Oxford green-tech group
Field Fisher Waterhouse (FFW) and Mayer Brown have won roles advising on a deal that sees Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich invest £4.3m in a small gas-to-liquids technology company.
Fifty-day Liverpool FC hearing averted as high-profile case settles
The former owners of Liverpool Football Club Tom Hicks and George Gillett have settled their High Court battle with the club’s former board of directors and financier RBS.
Follett Stock managing partner accused of bullying female solicitor
The managing partner of Follett Stock has been accused of bullying a female lawyer, an employment tribunal has heard.
Football tactics
A courtroom battle relating to Liverpool Football Club settled last week after the Court of Appeal (CoA) refused to vary an order for the claimants, former LFC owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, to surrender in excess of £10m by way of security for costs.
Former 39 Essex Street silk accused of VAT fraud heads to trial
Former 39 Essex Street silk Rohan Pershad QC will today face allegations of VAT fraud at Blackfriars Crown Court.
Forster Dean CEO slams MoJ as firm makes 13 redundant
Forster Dean has confirmed that more than a dozen lawyers and staff have left the firm following a redundancy consultation.
Forster Dean starts redundancy talks in response to Jackson reforms
Personal injury and conveyancing firm Forster Dean has announced a redundancy consultation with up to 13 jobs under threat.
France's Arago signs association to expand into Dubai
French corporate and litigation firm Arago has launched a Dubai office and signed a partnership with UAE firm Bin Shabib & Associates.
Freshfields and Slaughter and May advise on £1.5bn Stansted Airport sale
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Slaughter and May have advised on the £1.5bn sale of Stansted Airport.
Freshfields hires new partner as Orrick HK exodus continues
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has appointed corporate partner William Woo from Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe’s Hong Kong office.
Freshfields names new real estate chief as group absorbs part of closing leisure practice
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has shut its leisure sector group and merged its subsidiary parts into real estate and TMT.
Freshfields quartet quits Milan office to join Italian boutique
A team of senior lawyers from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer’s Milan office has left the firm to join former colleagues at Italian boutique Orsingher.
Freshfields' top earner took home £2.9m, accounts show
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer paid out £2.9m to a departing partner in the 2011/12 financial year, as staff costs at the firm rose more than 10 per cent.
From Bowie to the bar
David Bowie is not a name that’s synonymous with litigation – excepting a copyright spat with 90s rapper Vanilla Ice over the bass line to Ice Ice Baby that never quite made it to court – but the title of his new single ‘Where Are We Now’ (look, we had to shoehorn that in) provides a perfect segue to look at The Lawyer’s Top 20 Cases of 2013, and how the commercial courts will fare in the year ahead.
Frustration among lawyers at 'epidemic' levels, claims Keystone founder
Keystone Law founder James Knight has claimed there is an “epidemic” of frustration among lawyers at traditional firms as his firm continues its hiring spree by adding 10 lawyers from the likes of Ashurst, DLA Piper, SNR Denton and Speechly Bircham.
FSCS adds former A&O and Aegon lawyers to board
Former Allen & Overy (A&O) partner Charles McKenna and former Aegon UK general counsel Marian Glen have been unveiled as new non-executive directors on the board of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).
Gary Pryke, Drew & Napier, Singapore
Singapore has continued the opening of the legal market to foreign firms. Singapore firms will need to be agile and alert to navigate these sea changes.
Gateley, Sheridans and Wiggin win first-time slots on BT panel
Gateley is set to join media specialists Sheridans and Wiggin as new members of BT’s UK legal panel.
Geffen's Used Motors
Psst. Want to buy a used car? Get yourself over to Ashurst.
Gibson Dunn employee charged with £33,000 bogus overtime claims
An employee of US firm Gibson Dunn and Crutcher will face trial charged with stealing more than £33,000 from the firm in alleged false overtime claims.
Gibson Dunn receives approval to return to Beijing
US firm Gibson Dunn & Crutcher has secured approval from China’s Ministry of Justice to open a representative office in Beijing, almost 10 years after the firm closed its China presence.
Goodwin Procter client Wegelin closes down after US tax evasion case
Switzerland’s oldest private bank Wegelin & Co is to close after admitting in a New York court yesterday that it had helped its clients evade taxes.
Goodwin Procter pledges commitment to Beijing despite shelving launch plan
US firm Goodwin Procter has said it remains committed to opening a Beijing office, despite withdrawing its application for a representative office in the city last year.
Government unveils revamped legal panel
The Government Procurement Service (GPS) has finally named the 48 firms to win spots on its revamped Legal Services framework panel, which replaces the previous Legal Services and ‘LitCat’ panels.
Half of partners think they're underpaid, BDO study finds
Almost half of law firm partners think they should be paid more than they are currently, a survey on partner pay and performance by BDO has found.
Hill Dickinson acquires DLA's Sheffield and Manchester insurance hubs
DLA Piper is to offload its Manchester and Sheffield defendant insurance practices to Hill Dickinson.
Hong Kong investment banker rejoins Bakers from ICBC International
Baker & McKenzie has welcomed back lawyer and investment banker Lance Chen as a partner and head of its US securities practice group in Hong Kong and China.
Horwich Farrelly becomes latest ABS as latest licences announced
Manchester insurance litigation firm Horwich Farrelly has become the latest top 200 UK firm to gain an ABS licence.
Hot 100: Bryan Hughes, Eversheds video
Say what you want about Eversheds, but it is a firm with a plan.
Hot 100: Ingrid Simler QC, Devereux Chambers video
In 2013 Devereux Chambers’ Ingrid Simler QC (scroll down for video interview) will take on HM Revenue & Customs when she examines the tax authority’s relationship with Goldman Sachs.
Hot 100: Tim Lord QC, Brick Court Chambers video
The delightful Tim Lord QC of Brick Court Chambers (scroll down for video interview) is a winner with clients for his affable and charming personality.
Hottest of the hot
The Lawyer today unveils its Hot 100 list for 2013 naming the high-flyers who will help shape the legal profession this year.
Houston's Bracewell & Giuliani raids Simmons to kickstart London practice
Houston-based Bracewell & Giuliani has moved to expand its London office with the hire of two energy lawyers including Simmons & Simmons partner Julian Nichol.
Howard Kennedy and Finers Stephens Innocent merger goes live
Howard Kennedy and Finers Stephens Innocent have officially merged into a £39m firm.
Howard Kennedy launches affordable housing practice ahead of FSI merger
Pre-merger Howard Kennedy has raided City firm Devonshires again to launch an affordable housing team.
Hubert Tse, Boss & Young, Shanghai
In my mind Shanghai will become the New York of China in the next 10-15 years.
Human rights barristers await European ruling in joined religious liberty cases
Top human rights barristers are awaiting a significant judgment on four landmark religious liberty cases this week.
Indian bar must represent Delhi gang rape defendants, says Bar Council
The Bar Council has called on the Indian Bar to end its refusal to represent a group of men accused of carrying out a gang rape in Delhi.
Irwin Mitchell confirms hire of DLA Piper real estate quartet
Irwin Mitchell has hired four commercial property partners from DLA Piper together with a team of 10 lawyers and staff in a significant boost for its Manchester office.
iStorage USB flash drive achieves IT security ultimate seal of approval
News release9 January 2013 iStorage USB flash drive achieves IT security ultimate seal of approval datAshur awarded critical US data security benchmark FIPS 140-2 Level 3 certification
Italian employment boutique Lablaw turns to rival for partner
Italian employment firm Lablaw has hired partner Sharon Reilly from competing boutique hELP - Persiani, boosting its strength in international matters.
Italian employment boutique launches London office
Italian labour law firm hELP - Persiani has launched an office in London in a rare move for a boutique European firm.
Ius Laboris elects Engels as chair
Employment firm network Ius Laboris has appointed Claeys & Engels senior partner Chris Engels as its new chairman.
Jackson Lewis opens in Puerto Rico as gateway to Latin America
US employment firm Jackson Lewis is to open an office in Puerto Rico, marking its first base outside of mainland US.
K&L Gates adds first post-merger partner to Aussie base
K&L Gates’ Sydney office has taken on corporate partner Andrea Beatty, the first partner to join the firm following its 1 January merger with Australian firm Middletons.
Kennedys' net debt doubled in 2011/12 as result of tax loan
Kennedys’ net debt at 30 April 2012 was almost double what it was at the same date in 2011, as the firm took out a tax loan for the first time to ease the pain of paying a lump sum in January.
Kirkland & Ellis remains centre stage as Spider-Man lawsuit continues in US
Kirkland & Ellis is yet to see the back of a long-running lawsuit between the producers of a Spider-Man musical and the show’s ex-director Julie Taymor, as a US judge sets a May trial date nearly five months after the pair announced a tentative settlement.
KPMG continues hiring spree with addition of Garrigues tax specialist
KPMG Abogados has hired former Garrigues tax specialist Pedro Pablo Rodés, making him the firm’s third lateral hire in the past eight months.
La Porte des Indes
Brecher managing partner Nicky Richmond resists the urge to visit a favourite curry haunt and tries out La Porte des Indes at London’s Marble Arch instead. She lives to regret the decision, though.
Ladbrokes cuts legal panel as move away from hourly billing edges closer
Ladbrokes has slashed its legal panel from around 50 firms to 22 after carrying out a major review that has also seen the FTSE 250 company appoint a non-lawyer to oversee panel relationships and call for firms to end hourly billing by January 2015.
Law Society hits out at barrister contracts for putting solicitors 'at disadvantage'
The Law Society is on a collision course with the Bar Council after the solicitors’ body told its members that new barrister contracts would put them at a disadvantage.
Law Society president proposes targets to get women into management
Firms need to have targets to improve the number of women in management roles, the president of the Law Society Lucy Scott-Moncrieff has said
Leading sets prepare for boom year in litigation as The Lawyer reveals 2013's top cases
The civil courts will be dominated by credit crunch litigation and professional negligence battles in 2013, The Lawyer reveals today, while London’s courts continue to attract the wealthiest of litigants (see The Lawyer Top 20 Cases).
Let the awards season begin
A tried and tested coping strategy to make it through January’s gloom is to book a summer holiday to give yourself something to look forward to on those cold, dark mornings.
LG, Norton Rose, W&C advise on investment group Seref's £230m IPO
Lawrence Graham (LG), Norton Rose and White & Case all advised on Starwood European Real Estate Finance’s (Seref) £228.5m IPO on the London Stock Exchange.
Linklaters and White & Case lead as Bupa buys Polish healthcare group
Linklaters and White & Case have landed the lead mandates as Bupa makes its first foray into the Polish healthcare market by acquiring the country’s largest healthcare provider LuxMed Group from Mid Europa Partners for €400m (£326m).
Linklaters boosts litigation with Herbert Smith hire
Linklaters has made its second financial regulatory hire from Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) in less than six months with the recruitment of partner Nikunj Kiri.
Linklaters picks up banking partner from A&O in Spain
Linklaters has appointed Allen & Overy (A&O) partner Juan Barona as a partner in its Spanish banking practice.
Linklaters takes dual role as HMV enters administration
Linklaters has been instructed by both the administrators and the banks as high street entertainment company HMV enters administration following rejection of a new funding deal.
Littleton Chambers Appoints Instant ON IT
Instant On IT have been appointed by award-winning Employment & Commercial set Littleton Chambers to deliver support and solutions across their multiple software platforms. The IT Services company brings to the table over 9 years of experience in integrating and supporting Apple Mac and PCs and provides an in-house feel to IT strategy and support services. As part of their core strategy, Instant On IT will be identifying cost effective ways in which technology and services can ...
Liverpool's EAD vows to grow clin neg capability after ABS conversion
The latest firm to be granted an ABS licence said it now plans to develop its clinical negligence and personal injury practice.
London's Rudy awakening
Rudy Giuliani’s 2008 presidential bid turned out to be one of the greatest US political mysteries of our time. Among the favourites when he announced his candidacy in 2006, largely on the back of his popularity in New York City, the former Big Apple mayor ended up pulling out of the Republican nomination race with two opponents still left.
LSB appoints Eversheds, Herbies and Hogan Lovells to panel
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has expanded its panel to include six law firms and three chambers.
Luxembourg's Wildgen adds managing partner role
Luxembourg firm Wildgen has elected litigation head Pierre Metzler as its first managing partner.
Maclay Murray & Spens LLP chooses LogRhythm for comprehensive data security
08 January 2013 – LogRhythm, the leader in cyber threat defence, detection and response, today announced that Maclay Murray & Spens LLP (MMS), one of Scotland’s largest commercial law firms, has chosen to deploy its integrated log management and Security Information and Event Management ...
Magnitsky hearing postponed as mother urges Russian lawyers to boycott trial
The preliminary hearing of the posthumous trial of Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky has been postponed after his family and their lawyers refused to take part in the trial.
Mason Hayes rejigs London leadership as incumbent moves to Oz
Irish firm Mason Hayes & Curran has appointed a new London office head after the previous holder of the role John Kettle moved to Brisbane firm McCullough Robertson.
Matrix leads as Chris Huhne's partner appeals Daily Mail judgment
Leading silks at Matrix Chambers are set to go head-to-head as MP Chris Huhne’s partner Carina Trimingham takes on the Daily Mail.
Mayer Brown and Slaughters on adviser roster as CWC sells Macau business
Mayer Brown JSM and Slaughter and May have taken advisory roles on Cable & Wireless Communications’ (CWC) agreement to sell its controlling stake in a Macau telecom company to CITIC Telecom International for $750m (£466m) in cash.
Mayer Brown hires White & Case litigation heavyweight for City office
London-based White & Case partner Alistair Graham will be joining Mayer Brown’s commercial disputes team as of next week, The Lawyer can exclusively reveal.
McDermott builds German restructuring team with Taylor Wessing hire
Taylor Wessing German restructuring head Matthias Kampshoff is set to join US firm McDermott Will & Emery in its Düsseldorf office.
Middle East goes for Norton Rose
Buried among all the hoo-haa about the mega-growth Norton Rose has achieved recently through its plan of global bolt-ons is a trend in the opposite direction.
Mishcon rocked by departure of in-house frontman
The lead singer of Mishcon de Reya’s in-house rock group has jumped ship to Field Fisher Waterhouse, creating an uncertain future for the band.
Mishcon v Addleshaws as Berezovsky heads back to court
Mishcon de Reya is the latest firm to take on Addleshaw Goddard client Boris Berezovsky after the firm was instructed for the oligarch’s ex-partner Yelena Gorbunova in a battle for his reduced wealth.
MoFo wins instruction from creditors on HMV administration
Morrison & Foerster (MoFo) has taken a role advising a group of creditors on the administration of HMV, as reports surface suggesting the music retailer could still be rescued by a buyer.
Nabarro's Spanish ally signs deal with criminal firm
Nabarro’s Spanish ally Roca Junyent has signed a cooperation agreement with 14-lawyer white-collar crime boutique Molins & Silva.
Newcastle Airport takes Eversheds negligence claim to the CoA
Eversheds will be forced to defend a professional negligence claim from Newcastle International Airport (NIA) in the Court of Appeal (CoA) after NIA was given the green light to take the case to the appellate court.
Nixon Peabody favours US in first promo round since Paris closure news
Nixon Peabody has become the latest US firm to announce a round of partner promotions, naming eight new female partners in a US-centric promotion round of 13.
Norton Rose moots shifting Middle East arm to US LLP in wake of Fulbright merger
Norton Rose is considering offloading its Middle East offices to the legacy Fulbright & Jaworski arm of the firm when the UK and US outfits merge on 1 June.
Nottingham's Nelsons eyes East Midlands domination with Derby take-over
Nottingham-headquartered Nelsons Solicitors has swallowed up Derby’s Bakewells, as the firm looks to become a dominant force in the East Midlands legal market.
Olswang partner advises 'millions' of UK Apple users in case against Google
The Olswang partner who advised News International against allegations of phone-hacking is advising a group of Apple users who claim that Google secretly tracked their browsing habits between September 2011 and February 2012.
Olswang to cut up to six jobs across finance and employment teams
Olswang has placed six jobs at risk of redundancy following an internal review that prompted the firm to carry out “structural changes” in its finance and employment practice groups.
Osborne Clarke makes up first batch of partners since European mergers
Osborne Clarke has announced five partner promotions for its international offices, with the majority coming from its recently merged Spanish and Italian offices.
Partner Remuneration: To guarantee or not to guarantee
Sloane Poulton
Paul Hastings picks up former Dewey partner for Italian energy push
US firm Paul Hastings is set to hire former Dewey & LeBoeuf Italian energy star Lorenzo Parola in a boost for the firm’s corporate energy practice.
Payne Hicks Beach kickstarts new construction team with partner hire
City firm Payne Hicks Beach has launched its new construction and energy practice with the hire of Julian Critchlow from construction specialist Fenwick Elliott.
Pillsbury posts solid results for 2012 with both PEP and revenue rising
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman has posted a 10 per cent increase in average profit per equity partner (PEP) for the 2012 financial year along with a near 7 per cent growth in revenue.
Pinsents boosts litigation team in London and Paris
Pinsent Masons has boosted its City litigation practice, taking on a senior legal counsel from BP.
Portugal's Miranda enters the Democratic Republic of Congo
Miranda Correia Amendoeira & Associados has announced its decision to expand into the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) via an association with local firm MBM-CONSEIL, giving the firm its eighth outpost on mainland Africa.
Post-merger Dentons to put off integrating profit pools for indefinite period
Soon-to-be merged Dentons is set to delay indefinitely the integration of partners into geographically defined profit pools following the union of Salans, SNR Denton and Fraser Milner Casgrain (FMC).
Profits down and debt up for pre-merger Finers Stephens Innocent
Pre-merger Finers Stephens Innocent (FSI) posted a profit figure of £5.6m in 2011/12, according to its LLP accounts.
Public sector lawyers hit by spending cuts in Newcastle, Bristol, Manchester
Bristol, Manchester and Newcastle City Councils have published their proposed budgets for 2013/14, exposing further cuts on spending for government legal departments.
Pump Court barrister named as first female chancellor of Norwich Cathedral
Pump Court Chambers barrister Ruth Arlow has been appointed as the first female chancellor of the diocese of Norwich.
Quinn Emanuel London posts 30 per cent revenue hike for 2012
Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan’s London office revenue grew by 30 per cent last year, the firm’s provisional financial results have revealed.
Recorder removed for "bringing judiciary into disrepute"
A recorder and criminal silk has been removed from judicial office for practising without a certificate.
Recruiters: Cobbetts was continuing to hire lawyers up until December
Cobbetts was recruiting associates as recently as December 2012, with many recruiters that work with the firm expressing shock that it is planning to go into administration.
Reed Smith lands in Houston after calling off merger two years ago
Religion and the law
If God ran a mobile network provider it would probably be called Everything Everywhere. So there’s a nice ring to EE in-house lawyer Charlie Klendjian answering the call to relaunch the Lawyers’ Secular Society.
Revealed: Newcastle's £10m law firm manager
The managing director of a Newcastle personal injury firm is expecting to generate a salary package of £10m by the end of the financial year, making him one of the most highly remunerated members of the profession.
Rickerbys and Harrison Clark join the consolidation rush with planned merger
Cheltenham-headquartered firms Rickerbys and Harrison Clark are set to merge in a move that will create a £20m firm.
RIS Launches Apollo To Help Vendors Identify Channel Partners To Drive Market Coverage
HONG KONG, 10 January 2013 -RIS, the leading authority on ICT channel data across Asia-Pacific, today unveiled a ground breaking new web portal that will enable ICT vendors to gain access to business critical partners and channels data. The new service, called Apollo, allows vendors to run their own searches on channel partners via the RIS portal –
Rolls-Royce hires ex-Herbies chief Gold for corporate governance review
Former Herbert Smith senior partner David Gold has been hired by Rolls-Royce to lead a review of its corporate governance structure.
Ropes client Google drops claims against Microsoft after FTC agreement
Google subsidiary Motorola has asked the US International Trade Commission to drop two patent infringement claims from its complaint against Microsoft, putting to rest part of a case that has pitted Motorola counsel Ropes & Gray against Sidley Austin.
Rudy Giuliani reveals scale of firm's UK ambitions
Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani yesterday outlined both the scale of his firm’s ambitions for the UK legal market and the extent to which the ‘shale revolution’ could transform the world’s supplies of energy.
Salans advises as Hilco buys struggling HMV's debt
Salans has advised restructuring specialist Hilco in its purchase of HMV’s £176m debt.
Salans partners to double capital contributions when Dentons merger goes live
Salans partners in London are being asked to contribute 50 per cent of their previous year’s remuneration as capital when the firm merges with SNR Denton and Canada’s Fraser Milner Casgrain in the coming months.
Salaries on the up for law firm support staff, research shows
Salaries for most business support professionals in UK law firms rose last year despite the ongoing tough economic climate, new research has found.
Selling cars helped Ashurst boost coffers by half a million pounds in 2011/12
Ashurst raised more than £500,000 by selling off company cars during the 2011/12 financial year after only a small number of partners opted into a car scheme.
SFO's legal bill for Tchenguiz investigation hits £1.3m
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) spent more than £1.3m in legal costs on its doomed investigation of the Tchenguiz brothers.
Shell sets to work on major revamp of external legal roster
Royal Dutch Shell is reviewing its global legal panel for the first time in three years.
Shop till you drop
Walking to The Lawyer’s West End offices off London’s Oxford Street has become a depressing experience, with chain after chain joining the sick list. Last night’s latest casualty was HMV, which failed to avoid administration after eleventh-hour talks with its lenders.
Siemens hands UK panel spots to firm trio as roster cut
Siemens has given new panel places to Eversheds and Osborne Clarke as the engineering and technology group completes a major slimming-down of its UK legal roster.
Silk joins 11 Stone Buildings from Littleton Chambers
Littleton Chambers has lost the head of its commercial group to 11 Stone Buildings.
Simmons expands German footprint with Munich launch
Simmons & Simmons is set to launch an office in Munich later this year, marking the firm’s third base in Germany.
Simmons leads as law firms improve position in Stonewall rankings
Simmons & Simmons has consolidated its position in LGB charity Stonewall’s annual rankings of the most gay-friendly employers, improving from 10th place in 2012 to ninth this year.
Six figure investment in firm-wide Proclaim Practice Management solution
Expanding Personal Injury law firm, Smith Jones Solicitors, is implementing Eclipse’s Proclaim Practice Management Software system in a deal valued at over £100,000.
SJ Berwin's debt rose by over 300 per cent in last financial year, LLPs reveal
SJ Berwin’s net debt rose by 321 per cent between 2010/11 and 2011/12 on the back of a large tax bill caused by rising profitability.
Slaughter and May names new Hong Kong senior partner
Slaughter and May’s incumbent Hong Kong senior partner Richard Thornhill will retire from the firm on 30 January with partner Peter Brien taking over the role.
Slaughters and Davis Polk among advisers as Aviva sells last Delta stake
Slaughter and May has taken a lead advisory role alongside US firms Davis Polk & Wardwell and Willkie Farr & Gallagher and Benelux outfit De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek on UK insurer Aviva’s disposal of its remaining stake in Dutch rival Delta Lloyd.
Slaughters ditches associate lockstep in favour of merit-based system
Slaughter and May is abandoning its rigid associate lockstep to put more emphasis on performance when determining its most senior legal employees’ pay.
Slaughters joins Dutch duo on Philips' latest divestment to Asian buyer
Slaughter and May joined Dutch duo De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek and Stibbe and a host of additional firms on Philips Electronics’ sale of its lifestyle entertainment business to Japanese company Funai Electric.
SNR Denton enters into association with Kuwait's Jamal Ahmed Al-Shehab
SNR Denton has announced that it is entering into an association with local lawyer Jamal Ahmed Al-Shehab, replacing its existing association with International Legal Group (ILG).
SNR Denton headcount drop leads to profit rise in tough year
Average staff numbers at SNR Denton’s UK LLP were down almost 10 per cent in 2011/12, as costs dropped and pre-tax profit rose nearly 40 per cent.
SNR Denton partner quits to launch City arm for US firm Sullivan & Worcester
The head of the trade and export finance group at SNR Denton is leaving the firm to launch the London office of US firm Sullivan & Worcester.
SNR Denton's slimming ways
Is SNR Denton slimming down before its big day? The firm’s UK LLP accounts certainly tell the story of a firm that’s been canny with its finances as a
Solid last quarter boosts US law firm merger activity
Merger activity in the US legal market last year was dominated by small firms, data produced by management consultant Altman Weil has revealed.
South Africa's ENS expands into Uganda with local bolt-on
South African independent Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs (ENS) has added an office in Uganda to its growing pan-African footprint by bolting on local firm Synergy Solicitors & Advocates.
Sportingbet takeover legal fees reach £6.85m as host of firms advise
Addleshaw Goddard, Ashurst and Nabarro will share the bulk of up to £6.85m in legal fees for their advice on the joint takeover bid for online betting outfit Sportingbet by William Hill and GVC Holdings, official filings have disclosed.
Squire Sanders expands antitrust practice with hire of Akin Gump antitrust chief
The head of Akin Gump’s antitrust and unfair competition practice Mark Botti has joined Squire Sanders in the US alongside two colleagues, antitrust partners Brady Dugan and Anthony Swisher.
Squire Sanders hires DLA regulated procurement specialist
Squire Sanders has hired DLA Piper’s head of regulated procurement as a regulatory partner in its Birmingham office.
Stibbe's Clevenbergh teams up with fellow heavyweights for boutique launch
The former secretary-general of legacy Herbert Smith’s European alliance Olivier Clevenbergh has joined forces with a colleague from Stibbe and a partner from Benelux firm NautaDutilh to launch a Belgian corporate boutique.
Success for Schillings as Kate Winslet's husband blocks Sun images
Schillings has scored a victory for Kate Winslet’s husband Ned RocknRoll after the High Court agreed to block Simons Muirhead & Burton’s client The Sun from printing private pictures of him at a fancy dress party in 2010.
Supreme Court confirms legal advice privilege is only for lawyers - so what now?
By Sue Thackeray, partner and Fiona Hinds senior associate, Finers Stephens Innocent
Talis Launches New Digitisation Software Service for Universities
BIRMINGHAM, UNITED KINGDOM January 14, 2013 ‘The explosion of digital content sharing creates a necessity for learning technology companies to support copyright compliance concerns.’ Talis announces the launch of its new software service – Talis Aspire Digitised Content. Developed with the collaboration of university library partners, The Copyright Licensing Agency ...
Taylor Wessing turns to Osborne Clarke for hire of UK TMT head
Osborne Clarke’s digital business sector head Mike Turner is joining rival Taylor Wessing as UK head of TMT.
Team of 4-5 Gray's Inn clerks follows barristers to 39 Essex Street
A team of four clerks has left 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square to join 39 Essex Street just months after 24 barristers did the same.
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The Geffen game
We all know the platinum rule of merger votes: if you’re not going to get the answer you want, don’t put it to the partners. Just ask Herbert Smith, which got snubbed when its European allies Gleiss Lutz and Stibbe ran a poll on whether to pursue a three-way merger.
The Lawyer 2013 European 100 download
Thank you for purchasing The Lawyer European 100 (2013)To get immediate access to your comprehensive strategic overview of the European market, simply scroll down to the “Related Files” section of this page to download your reports. Over the coming months The Lawyer will be releasing a range of additional landmark research reports to add to your collection. Please email daniela.badcock@centaur.co.uk for more information and to get on the advance purchase list..
The Lawyer 2013 Research Bundle download
Thank you for purchasing The Lawyer Research Bundle 2013 – which includes The UK 200, The Transatlantic Elite, The Global Litigation 50 and The In-house Attitudes Report.
The Lawyer Hot 100 2013 unveiled
The Lawyer today names the lawyers who will shape the profession in 2013 in the eagerly anticipated Hot 100 feature.
Time for competition law to"get real", says incoming CAT chairman
Competition law must “get real, get simple, get credible” according to one of the newly elected chairmen of the Competition Appeal Tribunal.
Tods Murray sees profit drop by 25 per cent in 'slow' 2011/12
Scottish firm Tods Murray’s LLP accounts show that the firm had a tough year in 2011/12, with revenue dropping by nearly 10 per cent and profit down by more than a quarter.
Tods Murray, the press release and the eye-catching LLPs
Firms’ LLP accounts have generally made for depressing reading this year so perhaps it’s only natural that a firm would want to present a positive take on its results.
Totum Law Firm Salary and Benefits Benchmarking Survey Business Support Roles: An analysis
By Tim Skipper, founder, Totum
TPC Solicitors selects Eclipse's Proclaim solution in six-figure investment
Manchester law firm, TPC Solicitors, is implementing Eclipse’s Proclaim Practice Management Software solution in a deal valued at over £100,000.
Trainee reduction
It’s training contract interview season now, but candidates have reasons to be fearful. Firms are cutting their trainee numbers left, right and centre, meaning that when the current cohort of successful applicants start at their firms in two years’ time, they could be part of much smaller groups.
Trio of candidates in running as Wedlake Bell elects senior partner
Wedlake Bell is holding senior partner elections, with three candidates vying for the job to succeed Martin Arnold who is set to become managing partner of the firm.
Trio of London partners in dozen Dechert promotions
US firm Dechert has made up 12 lawyers to its partnership, including three in its London office.
Trowers hits out at exiting partners as Addleshaws launches in Oman
Addleshaw Goddard’s launch of an Oman office has been overshadowed by allegations from the former firm of the two partners it is hiring that the duo breached their partnership agreements.
Tugendhat J allows Katie Price privacy case against Peter Andre to proceed
The High Court has refused to throw out misuse of private information claims brought by celebrity Katie Price against her ex-husband Peter Andre, ex-manager Claire Powell, and ex-friend Jamelah Asmar.
Unchartered territory
The Royal Charter is an archaic and undemocratic device and its use is not matched to the purpose of creating an effective and independent press regulator, says Amber Melville-Brown
University of London brings in Wellcome Trust GC as legal head
The University of London has hired the Wellcome Trust’s longstanding general counsel John Stewart as head of legal services.
Varul relaunches in Latvia via merger with BDO Zelmenis & Liberte
Baltic firm Varul has relaunched an office in Latvia following a merger with local Riga outfit BDO Zelmenis & Liberte.
Veale Wasbrough takes on school employment specialist in education push
Veale Wasbrough Vizards has announced it has hired education employment specialist Alice Reeve to join the firm’s education practice group.
Veale Wasbrough Vizards and Hewitsons call off merger talks
Veale Wasbrough Vizards and Hewitsons have announced their decision to end merger talks six months after they were initiated.
Victory for Dingemans and Aughton Ainsworth in ECHR religion case
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has delivered a mixed verdict in four landmark religious liberty cases this morning, finding that British Airways (BA) discriminated against a cross-wearing employee but dismissing the other three appeals.
Watson Farley to set up Bangkok-based German desk with Ashurst hire
Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) has hired Ashurst Munich-based counsel Marcus Nothhelfer as a partner to launch a German desk in Bangkok.
Weightmans elects new management team
North West firm Weightmans has elected partners John Schorah and Dan Cutts as its new managing and senior partners, replacing Patrick Gaul and Ian Evans respectively.
Weil leads as MF Global reaches transatlantic settlement
Weil Gotshal & Manges has successfully negotiated a settlement between the estates of bankrupt broker MF Global in the US and UK that could lead to the start of payouts for creditors of the company.
Weil's City capital markets head defects to Paul Hastings' UK arm
The head of capital markets and hedge funds at Weil Gotshal & Manges’ London office has left the firm for the City base of Paul Hastings.
White & Case and WilmerHale lead on Sberbank JV with search engine
White & Case and WilmerHale have scooped the lead roles as Sberbank forms a joint venture with Russian search engine Yandex, a deal that kickstarts the two companies’ plans for a new online payment service.
White & Case forms Jakarta association with MD & Partners
White & Case has entered into an association with Indonesian firm MD & Partners six years after ending its association with local firm Ali Budiardjo Nugroho Reksodiputro (ABNR).
White & Case strengthens mining team with in-house hire
White & Case has added to its presence in the mining sector with the appointment of BHP Billiton lawyer Rebecca Campbell as a partner in its London office.
Wilson Sonsini, Paul Weiss advise as Google makes deal with US watchdog
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati client Google has agreed to change some of its search practices in the US after an investigation into anti-competitive behaviour by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) concluded that harsher charges would not be necessary.
'Witch hunt' punch-up hearing postponed due to absence of Lebedev lawyers
A pre-trial hearing in Moscow related to charges of hooliganism against Russian businessman Alexander Lebedev has been postponed due to the absence of Lebedev’s lawyers.
Women: The uncomfortable truth
Not enough women know which paintings adorn the walls of their firm’s boardrooms. That was the conclusion of an international summit and report presented at a Law Society and Interlaw Diversity Forum event last night.
Word for 2013: Empathy
Empathy is severely lacking in law firm recruitment, says Motive Legal’s Mark Brandon, who has come across partners who take three months to make a decision - and even those who go as far as to blank their HR manager
Wragges' LLPs reveal decrease in top-earner's pay packet
The highest-earning partner at Wragge & Co took home £648,000 in 2011/12 – a 12 per cent drop from the year before.
