As Ashurst dots the Is and crosses the Ts on its merger with Australian top-tier firm Blake Dawson, a number of partners report an internal mood of resignation, despite a two-year courtship that has avoided significant tension or fallout. As Legal Business went to press, both firms were to vote on full financial integration following the 2011 deal …
Continue reading “Ashurst closes in on Australian tie-up and leadership election”
Jaishree Kalia assesses the big hopes and big risks facing the emerging shale gas industry Every few years a new sector or niche comes along that promises huge opportunities for law firms that can tactically position themselves. Such hyped sectors often turn out to disappoint, but there is no doubt that the shale gas industry …
National heavyweights score for breadth of recommendations as CC shines in the City Eversheds has once again emerged as the most recommended law firm in this year’s The Legal 500 UK edition, which was released at the end of September. The top-20 Legal Business 100 firm achieved 198 recommendations overall, thanks in part to its significant City and …
Continue reading “Eversheds, Pinsent Masons and DLA Piper lead the UK pack in The Legal 500”
Following dashed hopes that BlackBerry’s new handset would reverse its falling fortunes, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom and Shearman & Sterling have been assigned as lead advisors as the struggling smartphone maker sells its business to its largest investor, Fairfax Financial, for $4.7bn. Skadden, which was instructed last month by BlackBerry as it reviewed its strategic …
Continue reading “Skadden and Shearman take lead roles as struggling BlackBerry agrees $4.7bn sale”
As Ashurst nears a crucial vote on full integration with Australian partner Blake Dawson – now known as Ashurst Australia – the firm’s partners are also poised to elect the firm’s next chairman. Partners were informed this morning (23 September) that Ashurst dispute resolution partner Ben Tidswell and Ashurst Australia competition and consumer protection partner …
Continue reading “Ashurst gears up for new chairman election as Oz merger vote is brought forward”
In an embarrassing setback The Bar Council has apologised for incorrect figures submitted to the Ministry of Justice in support of its proposals to abolish the Legal Services Board (LSB). The error came as the Bar’s representative body on 17 September put forward its proposals in response to the government’s call for proposals on ‘what could …
Continue reading “Sorry the hardest word as Bar Council apologises for getting its sums wrong”
Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft’s efforts to rebuild its London finance team were today rewarded with the hire of two leading Mayer Brown structured finance partners to boost its City offering. Former Mayer Brown finance and banking practice head Bruce Bloomingdale joins the 435-lawyer firm today (18 September) alongside Chicago banking and finance partner Jeremiah Wagner, who has …
Continue reading “Recruitment drive for Cadwalader in London reaps double Mayer Brown hire”
The City of London Law Society (CLLS) has responded to the Ministry of Justice’s (MoJ) call for evidence over concerns around the complexity of the legal services regulatory landscape with claims that it is dysfunctional and will need to be overhauled. The MoJ led by justice minister Helen Grant kick-started the wholesale review in June …
As GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) reviews its preferred law firms in a decision that could see the healthcare giant create a formal panel, Allen & Overy (A&O) has won the lead role to advise on its £1.35bn sale of drinks brands Lucozade and Ribena to the Japanese consumer goods company Suntory Beverage and Food (Suntory). A&O won …
In its 49th lateral hire of 2013, Jones Day has hired Latham & Watkins finance partner Brian Conway to its London banking and finance practice. His hire comes amid a spate of lateral hires to take place between US-based international firms recently. Conway is the tenth partner to join one of the firm’s global banking …
