US energy firm Bracewell has hired a brace of arbitration partners to lead the launch of its London disputes practice. Litigation and arbitration specialist Damian Watkin has joined the Houston-headquartered firm, best known for energy advisory, on Monday (4 December) from McDermott Will & Emery. He had only been a partner at McDermott since February …
Expansive City player Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) has bolstered its disputes practice with the hire of regulatory specialist Thomas Ross from Ropes & Gray. Andrew Savage, head of litigation and arbitration at WFW, told Legal Business that Ross will start in his new role on Monday (4 December).
City firms have landed lead mandates on the administration of beleaguered British tobacco wholesaler Palmer & Harvey (P&H) following the collapse of a rescue takeover by The Carlyle Group. Ashurst and Hogan Lovells are advising administrator PwC, which was brought in when a sale process that would see US buyout giant Carlyle acquire the ailing …
With demand for City-based buyout specialists greater than ever, Sidley Austin is making good on its strategy of bolstering its European private equity practice with the hire of two lawyers from Simpson Thacher & Bartlett’s highly-rated practice in London. Wim De Vlieger had been counsel since 2007 and Till Lefranc an associate at Simpson Thacher …
Ashurst has seen its partner bench further diminished with the departure of disputes stalwart Ben Giaretta to Mishcon de Reya. Giaretta – who joined Ashurst in 1999 – was made up to partner in 2009 and headed its Asian arbitration team out of Singapore for seven years. He moved back to the firm’s London office …
Ashurst’s beleaguered M&A practice has received a fresh blow as corporate partner Dominic Ross departs for the City office of White & Case. Ross’ exit from Ashurst’s corporate practice marks the second in as many weeks to a US firm in London after it was announced that partner James Wood would join Sidley Austin in …
Continue reading “Ashurst sees second City corporate departure to US firm in as many weeks”
Ashurst’s once-admired M&A reputation has taken a pounding of late. One former partner delivers representative sentiments: ‘Corporate was the jewel in the crown. The firm has changed from what it was six or seven years ago.’ Another notes: ‘It used to be joint number one with Clifford Chance for private equity. The practice faded away …
Continue reading “Deal view: Ashurst strives to reboot M&A brand but deal market is getting tougher”
Ashurst’s once-admired M&A reputation has taken a pounding of late. One former partner delivers representative sentiments: ‘Corporate was the jewel in the crown. The firm has changed from what it was six or seven years ago.’ Another notes: ‘It used to be joint number one with Clifford Chance for private equity. The practice faded away …
Continue reading “Deal view: Ashurst strives to reboot M&A brand but deal market is getting tougher”
Mr Justice Peter Smith, the controversial judge at the centre of two investigations by the Judicial Conduct and Investigations Office (JCIO), has retired. The move brings to an end all investigations and was announced just before he was set to be the subject of a disciplinary panel hearing today (30 October) and tomorrow (31 October). …
Continue reading “Nick of time – controversial judge Smith retires ending conduct investigations”
Ropes & Gray continues to promote London partners two-by-two, adding another duo in finance this year as part of a global promotions round of 12. The number of City promotions equals those made in the previous two years, while the overall total is up by one from 11 in 2016. Derivatives and structured finance specialist Anna …
