FIRST-TIME GC FOR BRITISH LAND
Property developer British Land has hired HSBC deputy company secretary and former Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer partner Elaine Williams as its first general counsel. Williams, who was a partner at Freshfields between 2000 and 2011 before joining HSBC in 2011, will become British Land’s first ever general counsel when she starts in November.
Global 100 firms continue to pile into South Korea, with Allen & Overy (A&O) and White & Case launching in Seoul in recent weeks, while disputes boutique Kobre & Kim has also opened a base in the Korean capital.
White & Case launched an office in Seoul in the summer with plans to relocate three partners and build on relationships with project finance clients. The venture is led by James Lee, who heads the Korea practice group and relocated to Seoul from Los Angeles. He will be joined initially by Mark Goodrich, a construction partner in London who will also transfer to Seoul, and Hong Kong partner Kyungseok Kim, who recently joined the firm’s M&A practice from Linklaters where he was an associate.
Continue reading “Korea still a boon for global firms as A&O, White & Case set up shop”
Asia move continues following India play
Osborne Clarke (OC) said Hong Kong was its ‘key gateway’ as it heads deeper into Asia by formalising its relationship with local firm Koh Vass & Co.
Continue reading “‘A key gateway’: Osborne Clarke formalises Hong Kong JV”
Freshfields and Hogan Lovells win roles on deal
Brewing giant SABMiller turned to Linklaters, alongside its regular adviser Hogan Lovells, as it became the focus of a takeover approach in September from Anheuser-Busch InBev (InBev), which has instructed Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer on a deal that would create a $275bn company.
Continue reading “Linklaters takes lead role for SAB on proposed mega-merger”
HERBERT SMITH FREEHILLS AND ALLENS ENLISTED FOR WOODSIDE TAKEOVER BID
Australian oil company Woodside turned to Herbert Smith Freehills as it rejected a takeover offer by rival Oil Search. Australian firm Allens advised the Papua New Guinea firm that made the £5.3bn offer.
Continue reading “Deal watch: Corporate activity in October 2015”
Michael West reports on the introduction of bank resolution protocols
Financial regulatory lawyers returned from their holidays this year to a lot of calls on one topic – bank resolution. The implementation this year of the EU’s Bank Recovery and Resolution Directive (BRRD) combined with the Greek crisis has pushed an issue that’s been simmering for years back up the list of priorities for bank and investment firms’ legal teams.
My career has been one of misfortune for others and fortune for me. I had two senior partners that died – one was very young, Alan Rosin at Bayer Rosin – he was in his 40s, I was about 30. As a result of his death, which was a huge tragedy, I inherited a practice.
Bayer Rosin was a unique firm. The partners were either South African or East African. South Africa was just coming through apartheid and so on his death the opportunities presented themselves. Many firms wanted to merge with us as we had a strong practice in the region. One was Mishcon… I brought about half the firm with me, others went their own way. The second person was the then-senior partner Martin Bayer. He came to Mishcon but died a few years after we joined.
Continue reading “Life During Law: Kevin Gold, Mishcon de Reya”
With its City rivals increasingly breaking their remuneration models for star hires, King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) has created a firm-wide remuneration pot to fund marquee hires across the world.
Intent on rebuilding its corporate department in London following a string of big-billing partner exits, the move will allow KWM to at least double the amount of money it can currently offer incoming partners and pay over £2m for top names.
Continue reading “KWM launches ‘global partner’ programme to secure star recruits”
Global law giant DLA Piper has launched a seven-sector strategy as the firm bids to sharpen its focus from its current 15 and foster greater cross-selling.
DLA Piper, which is pushing a high-profit agenda that last year resulted in a 13% jump in profit per equity partner to $1.33m, will reduce its sector focus from 15 to seven industries. These are: banking and financial services; life sciences; real estate; insurance; technology; energy; and media, sports and entertainment.
In a move which sets him in a strong position to run for chief executive when incumbent Bryan Hughes steps down in 2017, Eversheds managing partner Lee Ranson has been tasked with leading a ‘Growth Agenda’ following the firm’s subdued performance in this year’s Legal Business 100, which saw growth flatline, and profit per equity partner (PEP) edge up by 2%.
The strategy revamp was announced during a practice group conference this summer as the firm’s three-year plan came to an end. Ranson told Legal Business the agenda was about making sure junior lawyers coming through the business have the skillsets and opportunities to sell.
Continue reading “Ranson eyes Eversheds’ chief exec role as he leads growth drive”
