DAC Beachcroft launches New York base as part of transatlantic alliance

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Its international expansion has been extensive in recent years but UK insurance firm DAC Beachcroft has complemented its push in the Americas by opening a representative office in New York to build relationships in the US. Located at One Battery Park Plaza in Manhattan, the new office forms part of a strategic alliance with specialist …

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High Street gloom as SRA publishes full list of uninsured firms forced to close

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The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has confirmed the names of the 136 firms which have been forced to close since 1 October having been unable to secure professional indemnity insurance (PII). The list of firms, which the SRA said it has published in the interests of protecting consumers and third parties, includes Alastair J Brett, …

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DLA Piper expands Africa group across the continent with new member firms

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DLA Piper‘s Africa Group has expanded in north, southern and eastern Africa with the addition of three new member firms. Algerian firm B L & Associés, Rubeya & Co Advocates of Burundi and Namibian firm Ellis Shilengudwa Inc joined the 4200-lawyer firm’s Africa Group as of 1 October 2013. The firm now has member firms …

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More in-fighting as Law Society contests SRA’s attempts to gain greater fining powers

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Further cracks in The Law Society’s already strained relationship with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) have emerged this week as the representative body prepares to contest its regulatory arm’s attempt to increase its fining powers over law firms. In a consultation which ends next month, the SRA has invited views on its proposal to increase …

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LLP latest: Shoosmiths, Morgan Cole and MMS see significant drop in highest paid partner as Charles Russell’s takes home 64% more

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The latest round of LLP accounts for 2012/13 has revealed that Shoosmiths paid £1.5m to acquire Scottish firm Archibald Campbell & Harley, while Morgan Cole’s highest paid partner took home £116,000 less, Maclay Murray & Spens reduced their borrowing despite a tough year and Charles Russell’s highest paid equity partner took home £234,000 more. On merging …

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Mid-market feeding frenzy: Addleshaw, Bristows, Field Fisher and Irwin Mitchell unveil lateral hires

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The New Year lateral hiring spree has gathered momentum, with Addleshaw Goddard, Irwin Mitchell, Bristows and Field Fisher Waterhouse all announcing new acquisitions today (7 January). Leeds-based Bill Gilliam will join Addleshaw’s commercial litigation team as a partner after 20 years at Eversheds, where he was head of healthcare and life sciences. His experience includes …

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Hires for Squire Sanders and Morgan Lewis as 2014 lateral window opens

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After a flurry of lateral hire announcements before the City broke for Christmas in 2013, yesterday (6 January) saw two noteworthy partner moves between international law firms as DLA Piper partner Martin Rees joins Squire Sanders regulatory practice group and private equity and investment funds partner Tom Cartwright joins Morgan Lewis & Bockius London office from Taylor Wessing.

Asia-Pacific: Pinsents continues expansion with high-profile appointments in Singapore and Shanghai

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Pinsent Masons has continued to develop its Global 100 credentials, this time bulking up its Asia-Pacific corporate capability with the hire of a three-partner team in Singapore from leading local firm KhattarWong and a further senior appointment in Shanghai from SJ Berwin (now part of King & Wood Mallesons). These latest appointments add to a …

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In-house hires – TSB appoints Post Office GC as legal head as Mercedes-Benz fills top spot

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Following its split from Lloyds, TSB Bank has announced the appointment of former Post Office general counsel (GC) Susan Crichton as its new legal chief, leading the newly separated bank’s legal function in the New Year as it moves towards an initial public offering (IPO). Crichton played a key role in the Post Office’s separation …

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Sealed at last – Wragges secures major City merger as vote backs LG tie-up to forge £171m practice

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After years of rejecting the need for a City presence – and subsequent years hunting for a major London deal – Midlands giant Wragge & Co has finalised its tie-up with Lawrence Graham. The proposed deal, which was confirmed last month, was backed in a partner vote earlier this week, with the combined firm set …

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