24 May 2004

Arnold & Porter snaps up DWS IP star

The London office of Arnold & Porter has snatched Denton Wilde Sapte intellectual property partner Clive Thorne as part of the firm’s effort to beef up its London practice. Thorn, a well-known IP litigator, is set to join Arnold & Porter as a partner on 1 September. He has extensive experience in the UK and […]

Bar embraces flexible working

Far-reaching employment rights should be written into barristers’ contracts when they join chambers, under new guidelines issued by the Bar Council today.Under the scheme, barristers now will be able to have statements written into their employment policies allowing them to take career breaks, work flexible hours, part-time or partly from home.It also allows barristers on […]

Hammonds partners hit by 18 per cent profits fall

Hammonds’ average profits per partner have slumped 18 per cent from £330,000 to £272,000. Turnover for 2003-2004 is down 1 per cent to £136m, which includes a £7.1m loss of revenue due to the departure of the entire commercial insurance team at the beginning of the last financial year. Senior partner Richard Burns said: “We […]

McDermott scoops team in latest round of CC NY departures

Clifford Chance’s New York exodus today shifted up a gear after a team of six corporate lawyers jumped ship for McDermott Will & Emery. The haul includes two partners, John Lutz and David Taub who both specialise in capital markets with a particular emphasis on derivatives and structured products. Joining Lutz and Taub, will be […]

Law Society approves changes to conflict rules

The Law Society Standards Board this week approved two of the proposed amendments to the Conflicts and Confidentiality paper recently withdrawn from Council. A third amendment, relating to a solicitor’s duty to disclose, was not passed. Led by chair Andrew Holroyd, the board rejected a suggestion that duty to disclose could be implied as well […]

BBC appoints new legal head

The BBC has promoted Valerie Nazareth to the position of head of programme legal advice. Nazareth will succeed Glenn Del Medico when he retires in August. She has been with the BBC for over 10 years after joining the company from Goodman Derrick.

Watson Burton storms to another record year

Newcastle firm Watson Burton has enjoyed its second record year, with turnover up 29 per cent. The firm posted figures of £13.8m for the financial year to April 30, up from £10.7m in 2003. Revenue in 2003 was itself a rise of 27 per cent from 2002’s £8m. Profits per partner have yet to be […]

Grapevine

At a 45-minute press conference this morning on the future of the silks system, the Lord Chancellor Lord Falconer managed to make one Government policy U-turn and reverse hundreds of years of tradition. Not bad for a morning’s outing which, as ever, was replete with his cosy bedside manner, smiling face and occasional joke. The […]

Addleshaw Goddard accelerates City growth plan

Addleshaw Goddard is aiming to strengthen its London projects practice with the addition of a new partner. Richard Guit will boost the number of partners in the City group to seven when he moves to Addleshaw Goddard from CMS Cameron McKenna in June. Nationally the firm has 10 full time PFI and projects partners. The […]

White House hopefuls gifted millions from US lawyers

US law firms have stumped up nearly $17m in donations towards the upcoming presidential campaigns, signalling a huge rise in lawyers’ political contributions in the last race to the White House. President George W Bush edges ahead in contributions from lawyers and law firms which gave a total $8.8m within a three month period, beginning […]

Simmons sharpens Qatar focus with new hire

Western law firms in Qatar are continuing to expand after Simmons & Simmons has taken on a partner from leading local firm Gebran Majdalany. David Salt, an energy and construction specialist will joins Charles Pollack as the office’s second partner. Commenting on his decision, Salt said: “Simmons is an international firm doing work I am […]

Manches scores double lateral for practice push

Manches has bumped up its construction and property departments with the appointment of two partners. Commercial property partner David Mills is joining Manches from Field Fisher Waterhouse while non-contentious construction specialist Chris Fellowes has jumped ship from Tite & Lewis. The move leaves Ernst & Young’s former tied law firm Tite & Lewis with five […]