Shearman and Travers hit with losses as recruitment turns to restructuring and leveraged finance

Shearman and Travers hit with losses as recruitment turns to restructuring and leveraged finance

Ongoing talk of a merger with Hogan Lovells has prompted an exodus from Shearman & Sterling, with the departure of EMEA and Asia M&A head Philip Cheveley to Sidley Austin one of the headline moves in the London market in recent weeks. The blow to Shearman will be even more keenly felt since the move …

‘With economic downturn, the need to pull the trigger on claims intensifies’ – leading City litigators look at the key disputes trends for 2023

‘With economic downturn, the need to pull the trigger on claims intensifies’ – leading City litigators look at the key disputes trends for 2023

‘Disputes arise when there is disruption, and it seems to me there’s just about every type of disruption at the moment.’ With this, Julian Copeman, a disputes partner at Herbert Smith Freehills neatly summarises market expectations for 2023. It is going to be a busy year.

No personal best this year for Hogan Lovells as turnover and profits decline

No personal best this year for Hogan Lovells as turnover and profits decline

As the financial reporting season kicks off once more, Hogan Lovells has today (22 February) reported a 7% drop in revenue to $2.43bn as PEP fell 8% to $2.28m. This represents a $174m reduction to the firm’s top line and looks likely to set the mood for many Global 100 players as market forces continue …

Revolving Doors: Travers and Shearman exodus continues as US firms pick up the talent

Revolving Doors: Travers and Shearman exodus continues as US firms pick up the talent

Once a rare phenomenon, exits from Travers Smith have picked up pace in recent weeks, with the latest departures announced this week being those of Ed Ford and Sacha Gofton-Salmond to Simpson Thacher & Bartlett. Partners at Travers since July 2021 and July 2022, respectively, Ford and Gofton-Salmond will bring to Simpson Thacher with capabilities …

Revolving Doors: Fresh woes for Shearman as M&A head Cheveley exits as restructuring and lev fin fuel City investment

Revolving Doors: Fresh woes for Shearman as M&A head Cheveley exits as restructuring and lev fin fuel City investment

The merger talks-prompted exodus from Shearman & Sterling continued in recent days with the loss of EMEA and Asia M&A head Philip Cheveley to Sidley Austin in London. The blow to Shearman will be even more keenly felt since the move represents a reversal for one of its stated ambitions to focus on corporate, and …

End of the road for Womble Bond Dickinson merger talks with BDB Pitmans

End of the road for Womble Bond Dickinson merger talks with BDB Pitmans

Merger talks between Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) and BDB Pitmans have been called off, the firms announced on Wednesday (1 February) in a joint statement. Talks of a combination first became public in October 2022, when a story on RollOnFriday prompted WBD and BDB Pitmans to confirm that they were in discussions around a potential …

‘With economic downturn, the need to pull the trigger on claims intensifies’ – leading City litigators look at the key disputes trends for 2023

‘With economic downturn, the need to pull the trigger on claims intensifies’ – leading City litigators look at the key disputes trends for 2023

‘Disputes arise when there is disruption, and it seems to me there’s just about every type of disruption at the moment.’ With this, Julian Copeman, a disputes partner at Herbert Smith Freehills neatly summarises market expectations for 2023. It’s going to be a busy year.