SunGard sidelines Jones Day as A&O nabs EU-Asian work

US-based SunGard previously used US firm Jones Day, Reavis & Pogue for its non-US work. A&O pitched for work against Lovells, White & Case and Simmons & Simmons. Philadelphia-based firm Blank Rome will continue as SunGard's US adviser.
Neither Jones Day nor SunGard would comment on the reasons for the switch, although it is believed to be logistical rather than a dissatisfaction with Jones Day's performance. The appointment is non-exclusive and Jones Day will continue to receive some work, but SunGard's UK in-house lawyer Howard Wallis made it clear that A&O would be in line for the new, larger jobs.
A&O was appointed by SunGard in August to work on the European and Asian aspects of the $825m (£581.82m) purchase of Availability Solutions from Comdisco, and pitched for the preferred counsel position in the Autumn.
Corporate Partner Jeremy Parr, who led both the Comdisco deal and the pitch, is particularly pleased that A&O won the work. Parr said: "We understand SunGard's culture as a multi-national. We're set up to work for this type of business, whether it's from the US or anywhere else."
A&O 's strength on Continental Europe, as well as Asia, gave it an advantage over its rivals. According to Howard Wallis, SunGard's UK head of legal, the main draw of A&O was its "down-to-earth, practical commercial approach and, crucially, its good geographical spread".
SunGard has significant interests in the UK and France, with some businesses in Asia. Although its US-based in-house legal team is highly regarded, it has only one lawyer outside the US.
A&O can expect work across the board in M&A, technology, licensing, employment, pensions and antitrust.US-based SunGard previously used US firm Jones Day, Reavis & Pogue for its non-US work. A&O pitched for work against Lovells, White & Case and Simmons & Simmons. Philadelphia-based firm Blank Rome will continue as SunGard's US adviser.
Neither Jones Day nor SunGard would comment on the reasons for the switch, although it is believed to be logistical rather than a dissatisfaction with Jones Day's performance. The appointment is non-exclusive and Jones Day will continue to receive some work, but SunGard's UK in-house lawyer Howard Wallis made it clear that A&O would be in line for the new, larger jobs.
A&O was appointed by SunGard in August to work on the European and Asian aspects of the $825m (£581.82m) purchase of Availability Solutions from Comdisco, and pitched for the preferred counsel position in the Autumn.
Corporate Partner Jeremy Parr, who led both the Comdisco deal and the pitch, is particularly pleased that A&O won the work. Parr said: "We understand SunGard's culture as a multi-national. We're set up to work for this type of business, whether it's from the US or anywhere else."
A&O 's strength on Continental Europe, as well as Asia, gave it an advantage over its rivals. According to Howard Wallis, SunGard's UK head of legal, the main draw of A&O was its "down-to-earth, practical commercial approach and, crucially, its good geographical spread".
SunGard has significant interests in the UK and France, with some businesses in Asia. Although its US-based in-house legal team is highly regarded, it has only one lawyer outside the US.
A&O can expect work across the board in M&A, technology, licensing, employment, pensions and antitrust.