GM’s crash and US govt rescue throws up some tricky issues on both sides of the Atlantic. By Margaret Taylor The world has got used to bad news over the past few months. When Lehman Brothers crashed last September, taking a raft of financial institutions with it, there was a feeling of panic in the […]
The Law Society and the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) are locked in a turf war over the appointment process for the SRA board. The Law Society is managing the appointment of a new chair and board members and has two places on the five-member appointments panel. Despite its being the SRA’s board, the regulatory body has no input. […]
A move towards a more American approach in fraud pleas throws up new issues, say Rod Fletcher and Shula de Jersey The Attorney General’s Guidelines on Plea Discussions in Cases of Serious or Complex Fraud came into force on 5 May 2009 in an attempt to reduce both the time and cost associated with complex […]
When I was first asked to write an article about life as an expat lawyer in the Magic Kingdom, I was a little intimidated by the task. Why? When I first informed my friends and family that I was moving to Riyadh, they thought I was out of my mind or that the lemonade […]
Hammonds just cannot seem to distance itself from partner disputes. After largely resolving a High Court battle with a group of former partners relating to overdrawn profits, news of Hammonds Direct going into administration prompted a number of disputes between the law firm and the partnership of the failed conveyancing business. After Hammonds Support Services, […]
Hard times are encouraging employers to take a blasé attitude towards unethical business practices, and companies need to keep a tight rein on risk management to avoid ever-more severe penalties. By Jim McCurry With the economic climate giving rise to an increase in unethical behaviour, some leading companies are taking drastic action to get to […]
Ashurst senior partner Charlie Geffen appeared to be angling for some compliments last week when he met up with one of Tulkinghorn’s hacks. “Look at the size of that!” he exclaimed, holding out a picture on his mobile for the unnerved reporter to examine. With some trepidation the hack approached the phone, only to see […]
As head of legal for DHL Express, Rachael Hambrook is making sure her legal team is part and parcel of the success of the business. DHL Express has had a global contract with Hard Rock Cafe for almost two years now. The delivery company was responsible for the security and transport of one of Jimi Hendrix’s guitar […]
The two biggest names in tech law are now at Milbank’s London office. Can the US firm help them deliver on their vision? Jacobs and Stait Four days into his new job as head of the litigation and arbitration practice at Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy, Julian Stait already has some serious business to attend to. […]
If you weren’t a lawyer what would you have been? I’m not a lawyer and am thankful for small mercies. Andrew Manning What was your first-ever job? Paper boy. What was your worst experience as a trainee? As a trainee chartered surveyor my worst experience and best experience was discovering I didn’t actually want to […]
Simmons & Simmons IP partner Willem Leppink (left) has left the firm to join Osborne Clarke alliance firm Ploum Lodder Princen as an equitypartner in Rotterdam. Willem Leppink Move of the week The move comes after Simmons announced that it was to close its Rotterdam office and move its lawyers to Amsterdam. Ploum Lodder managing […]
Clifford Chance and DLA Piper 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. DLA Piper Oman managing partner Bruce Mullins led a team advising buyer Funderburk Europe 2, a special purpose vehicle formed […]