Despite the increasing popularity of arbitration, a significant number of clients have been disappointed by the performance of an arbitrator. LB asks what can be done to improve faith in the system
When something gets a mention in the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Budget speech, it is usually important. So when George Osborne spoke of the government’s intention to ‘promote the UK as the global centre of legal arbitration’ in March, the global arbitration community sat up and took note.
After a failed merger, a drop in both revenue and a profits, and a slew of partner departures, Simmons’ new managing partner Jeremy Hoyland certainly has his work cut out. Can his plans for change deliver?
Jeremy Hoyland’s timing has always been a little off. He qualified just before the 1990s’ recession, tried to launch a finance practice in Asia just as the Asian financial crisis hit in the late 1990s and has now taken over Simmons & Simmons at a time when the firm’s financials continue to struggle and it is being over-shadowed by several of its closest rivals. Continue reading “A matter of time – Simmons & Simmons”
Old money still resides in the US and Europe, but private wealth growth has exploded in China and India. Wealth management teams at some UK law firms are matching the needs of a new wave of global clients by offering high-end, commercial advice on an increasingly global platform
The past 12 months have been marked by a steep increase in industrial action impacting a number of major corporates. LB talks to the small group of firms manning the picket lines
It’s all a long way from beer and sandwiches at Number 10. Now, more than ever, large corporate employers are fighting threatened strike action launched by some of the country’s largest and most aggressive unions. However, instead of the threat of strikes being discussed behind closed doors in Downing Street, á la the 1970s, the drama is being played out in court.
It’s been a bleak few years for real estate departments but, after an active 2010 with some major headline deals, the London market is picking up as the regions remain in the doldrums. LB looks at a very different kind of property market
Got any advice for a budding young real estate lawyer? ‘Become an accountant,’ laughs veteran Herbert Smith real estate partner James Barnes, as he surveys the moribund UK property market.
Several Global London firms were back on the investment trail in 2010 although overall headcount in the top 50 dropped. LB looks at the main movers in the City’s non-UK legal elite.
The UK economy may be suffering under the weight of swingeing cuts and, Germany aside, the prospects on the continent may still look bleak, but London’s large band of overseas law firms have not exactly been retreating into their shells. Many have been spying opportunities in the usual form of lateral partner hires, others such as Squire, Sanders & Dempsey and Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal have pinned their colours to a UK merger.
The latest transatlantic mergers have a few examples to follow. But just what have City mergers delivered for Jones Day, K&L Gates, Mayer Brown and Reed Smith?
It’s easy to forget that the transatlantic merger is not a trend confined to the last two years. The most effective way for US firms to enter the highly competitive London market has long been a matter for debate. Do you buy a greenfield site and take a long view based around organic growth or do you acquire a large, ready-made UK business? Neither is simple and both can be costly.
The fourth Legal Business/Marsh round table brought together a group of risk managers to discuss the changing regulatory landscape and how they manage their risk functions
It is perhaps not surprising that the fourth risk round table hosted by Legal Business and Marsh was dominated by one subject. The Solicitors Regulation Authority’s new Code of Conduct, as a part of the move to outcomes-focused regulation (OFR) due in the Autumn, is weighing heavily on the minds of most risk professionals in the largest firms. The prospect of following indicative behaviours, managing relations with the SRA and appointing a compliance officer for legal practice (COLP) were all raised in the course of the discussion.
Despite the increasing popularity of arbitration, a significant number of clients have been disappointed by the performance of an arbitrator. LB asks what can be done to improve faith in the system
When something gets a mention in the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Budget speech, it is usually important. So when George Osborne spoke of the government’s intention to ‘promote the UK as the global centre of legal arbitration’ in March, the global arbitration community sat up and took note.
After a failed merger, a drop in both revenue and a profits, and a slew of partner departures, Simmons’ new managing partner Jeremy Hoyland certainly has his work cut out. Can his plans for change deliver?
Jeremy Hoyland’s timing has always been a little off. He qualified just before the 1990s’ recession, tried to launch a finance practice in Asia just as the Asian financial crisis hit in the late 1990s and has now taken over Simmons & Simmons at a time when the firm’s financials continue to struggle and it is being over-shadowed by several of its closest rivals. Failed merger talks with Mayer Brown have also hardly helped the firm’s market profile.
