LLP round-up: Bird & Bird debt soars as rising partner count freezes top pay at Clyde & Co

LLP round-up: Bird & Bird debt soars as rising partner count freezes top pay at Clyde & Co

While top 20 LB100 firms Bird & Bird and Clyde & Co both boosted their operating profit in the 2016/17 financial year, LLP accounts show that Bird & Bird also saw its debt grow while Clyde & Co’s rising partner numbers contributed to management and highest-paid member numbers barely increasing. Bird & Bird’s LLP accounts …

‘Embarrassed’ Mishcon partner ‘condemns’ Presidents Club conduct as SDT suspends assault solicitor – more to come for the profession?

‘Embarrassed’ Mishcon partner ‘condemns’ Presidents Club conduct as SDT suspends assault solicitor – more to come for the profession?

Law may have a reputation as a relatively staid career but it was inevitable that the profession would be drawn into the widening debate about the treatment of women sparked by last year’s reports of harassment in the film industry. Following the latest controversy to grip business, Mishcon de Reya today (25 January) issued a …

HFW strengthens Singapore with South East Asia triple play

HFW strengthens Singapore with South East Asia triple play

Energy and shipping specialist HFW has made a major play in its longstanding Singapore office, bringing in a trio of partners from rivals in the region. HFW now boasts an 18-partner office in Singapore following the arrivals of finance partner Siri Wennevik, projects and energy partner Alistair Duffield and corporate partner Ivan Chia, taking the firm’s …

UK banks’ £14.6bn legal costs account for over half of FTSE 100 litigation liabilities

In the post-Lehman landscape, banking and litigation have become common bedfellows, and research published by Thomson Reuters this week shows that the UK’s four biggest banks’ litigation and regulatory provisions make up over half of the FTSE 100’s litigation costs. The research showed that overall the FTSE 100 set aside £26.2bn during 2016 to tackle …

Parkinson stays away from SFO director race to take senior partner role at Kingsley Napley

Parkinson stays away from SFO director race to take senior partner role at Kingsley Napley

Despite calls for him to succeed David Green as the new director of the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), heavyweight white-collar crime specialist Stephen Parkinson will become senior partner of Kingsley Napley on 1 May. As a result of Parkinson’s elevation, disputes partner Louise Hodges will take over his role as head of the firm’s top-ranked …

Charles Russell restocks sports team with takeover of high profile boutique

Charles Russell restocks sports team with takeover of high profile boutique

With the sports sector rapidly transforming from a collection of national cottage industries into big business, Charles Russell Speechlys (CRS) has substantially beefed up its practice with a takeover of boutique Couchmans. Founded in 2001 by Nic Couchman, the four-partner firm has seven other fee earners. Heavily focused on sports clients, its practice covers corporate, data …

Panel reviews: Vodafone and Yum! Brands shake up external adviser rosters

Panel reviews: Vodafone and Yum! Brands shake up external adviser rosters

Mobile phone giant Vodafone has completed a review of its legal panel, with seven firms making the cut, while KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut owner Yum! Brands has also finalised its roster. The number of firms on Vodafone’s panel remains the same as the last time it was reviewed in 2014, but DLA Piper …

Quinn Emanuel lays down outstanding marker with 61% surge in City revenue and profit

Quinn Emanuel lays down outstanding marker with 61% surge in City revenue and profit

Disputes powerhouse Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan has seen London revenues rise by a startling 61%, with net profit increasing by the same margin. The US-based player’s revenue stands at £71.9m, up from last year’s figure of £44.8m. Net profit also rose from £32.6m to £52.6m. As a result, the firm’s profit margin is now …

‘Exactly what we’ve been looking for’: Mishcon de Reya hires equity capital markets head from Addleshaw Goddard

‘Exactly what we’ve been looking for’: Mishcon de Reya hires equity capital markets head from Addleshaw Goddard

Legal Business’ Law firm of the Year Mishcon de Reya has made a significant move to develop its corporate practice, today (15 January) hiring Addleshaw Goddard partner Tim Field as head of equity capital markets. Field has advised a range of clients including investment banks, financial advisers, brokers, stock exchanges, regulators for over 20 years …