Toughening up: UK watchdogs clamp down on corporate wrongdoing as fines spike 270%
Regulatory partners expect a busy 2016 as EY figures show UK regulators have ramped up the number of fines and sentencing for corporate wrongdoing.
Plea pioneers: HSF advises bank on first deferred prosecution agreement with SFO
Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) is advising ICBC Standard Bank on its deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) with the UK Serious Fraud Office (SFO) – the first deal to be struck since DPAs came into force in February 2014.
H1 2015/16: Steady as she goes – A&O attributes 4% revenue rise to London performance
Allen & Overy (A&O) has posted a 4% revenue increase for the first six months of the 2015/16 financial year. Turnover rose to £642m rising 3.6% from the same period last year.
Making history: US elite lines up to advise on Pfizer takeover of Allergan
In what has been reported as the largest pharmaceutical deal in history, four of the biggest Wall Street players have advised on Viagra-owner Pfizer’s agreed $160bn takeover of Botox-maker Allergan.
Partner Promotions: Mayer Brown makes up two in London from 27-strong round
Mayer Brown has become the latest US firm to announce its promotion round, with City lawyers making up just 7% of the total round worldwide. The firm made up two London partners, up from one last year.
‘Greater efficiency’: Freshfields to consolidate Cologne and Düsseldorf offices to create 240-strong team
In a rare move, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer will combine its Cologne and Düsseldorf offices to create what it says will be the ‘perfect platform’ for a stronger presence in the Rhineland.
White & Case to close Munich office after nearly a decade as it consolidates German operation
White & Case is shutting its Munich office after almost ten years after opening, offering its 11-lawyer team the opportunity to relocate to its larger Frankfurt base.
Partner moves: Morgan Lewis and Ashurst make hires in London and New York
US firm Morgan, Lewis & Bockius continues its firm wide hiring spree with Covington & Burling corporate partner Simon Currie being the latest to join the firm’s City ranks. Meanwhile Ashurst is continuing efforts to bulk up its New York collateralised loan obligations (CLO) practice with the hire of partner Lawrence Berkovich from Mayer Brown.
Six frontrunners emerge from pack in A&O management race
With next year set to be senior partner David Morley’s and global managing partner Wim Dejonghe’s final terms at Allen & Overy (A&O), three names have emerged as primary candidates to take over each role one month ahead of formal nominations.
‘Unfulfilled client demand for alternative resourcing’: A&O launches Peerpoint in Asia
Following the success of its high-end contract lawyer service Peerpoint in London, Allen & Overy (A&O) is now extending the model to Asia.