It was late in the day, as opinion polls narrowed alarmingly, that English lawyers took notice of Scotland’s independence vote last month and entertained the huge implications of a split in the UK’s 300-year-old union.
‘A matter of chemistry’: Nabarro finds a new alliance partner in French firm Lefèvre Pelletier
Nabarro has opted for Lefèvre Pelletier & associés to fill the France-sized hole in its international network after August & Debouzy left the alliance in March this year [2014].
What’s in a name: One year on King & Wood Mallesons drops SJ Berwin
King & Wood Mallesons SJ Berwin will cut the SJ Berwin from its name on 1 November, a year after merging with the UK firm.
Continue reading “What’s in a name: One year on King & Wood Mallesons drops SJ Berwin”
Guest post: ‘Seamless’? The unintended consequences of Norton Rose Fulbright’s ‘combination’ argument
A few weeks ago reports surfaced about a motion seeking to compel Norton Rose Fulbright to withdraw from representation of its client Duke University in a case brought against the university by the estate of John Wayne, which wants the right to market alcoholic beverages branded with Wayne’s ‘Duke’ nickname — a textbook trademark dispute.
Dealwatch: Freshfields and Linklaters stationed on multibillion pound train leasing sale
Magic Circle duo Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Linklaters have advised on the sale of Porterbrook Rail Finance, one of the three major train leasing companies in the UK.
Quinn Emanuel targets City competition practice with Hausfeld partner hire
Disputes specialist Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan will offer an antitrust practice in London following the hire of competition litigation partner Boris Bronfentrinker from the City of office claimant firm Hausfeld & Co. Continue reading “Quinn Emanuel targets City competition practice with Hausfeld partner hire”
Management shake-up: Freshfields picks German partner to head corporate alongside new disputes and employment chiefs
After bringing in a slew of US veterans to lead its push stateside, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has revamped it global leadership, appointing new disputes, corporate and employment heads.
‘A proven leader’: Fried Frank takes Kirkland’s White to lead European PE and London growth
Chicago-headquartered Kirkland & Ellis, renowned for its reputation on hiring lateral partners at top dollar, has lost corporate partner Graham White to Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson where he will head the London office and lead the firm’s European private equity practice.
Comment: Never mind the magic, feel the substance – Slaughters has only one shot at staying relevant
During its 125th anniversary year, Slaughter and May still divides the industry like no other institution. For its admirers, it is the standard bearer, bucking the received wisdom of the modern legal market – for detractors, an outfit on borrowed time, hoping to bet against the market (with an unhedged bet at that).
Partner promotions: White & Case doubles its promotion round with London office gaining the most
White & Case has promoted 37 lawyers to its partnership ranks, over double last year’s level of 18, with five made up in London and one further new partner transferring to the city.
Revolving doors: Squires lures London partner from Covington in energy disputes push
Squire Patton Boggs has made its first lateral hire in London since its merger in May, hiring arbitration partner Ben Holland from Covington & Burling.
Holland becomes Squire Patton Boggs’ most senior arbitration recruit in London, having made partner at CMS Cameron McKenna in 2007 before moving to Covington 15 months ago. Continue reading “Revolving doors: Squires lures London partner from Covington in energy disputes push”
Comment: What does it mean to be a modern GC? Discuss. Or rather don’t
What does it mean to be an in-house counsel these days? The profession is agreed that the job carries considerably better status and prospects and attracts a better calibre of lawyer than 10 years ago. There is, in addition, widespread consensus that general counsel now operate much more closely to the business, moving beyond their role as narrow managers of legal risk.
Continue reading “Comment: What does it mean to be a modern GC? Discuss. Or rather don’t”
The Friday Edit: Tods Murray gives up the ghost, innovation everywhere and the secret political life of managing partners
As the end of the working week beckons, it’s time once more for our weekly recap of the notable legal events that occurred since the heady days of Monday with our Friday Edit column. Continue reading “The Friday Edit: Tods Murray gives up the ghost, innovation everywhere and the secret political life of managing partners”
Guest post: Watson, I presume? (or how I learned to stop worrying and love disruption in law)
I’m often asked – on a panel last month in Europe and on a panel later this month right here in New York at the Law Firm COO & CFO Forum, for example – what I think about ‘disruption’ in the legal industry.
Latest accounts do not reflect performance, says White & Case as filings show City revenue edging down
White & Case‘s most recent limited liability partnership (LLP) accounts filed at Companies House show turnover in its UK and Africa offices dropped 2% in the financial year ending December 2013.
‘At the forefront of changes in our market’: A&O targets 100 more recruits in Belfast
Three years on from the launch of its Belfast legal and support services centre, Allen & Overy (A&O) has exceeded headcount targets and has unveiled plans to recruit a further 100 new staff over the next five years.
Into Africa: A&O launches Johannesburg office with Bowman Gilfillan team
Having been speculated over for some time, Magic Circle firm Allen & Overy (A&O) has, today (8 August), announced its entrance into South Africa with the launch of an office in Johannesburg, and hired a seven-strong banking and finance team from local firm Bowman Gilfillan.
Continue reading “Into Africa: A&O launches Johannesburg office with Bowman Gilfillan team”
Eversheds’ sole adviser mandate under threat as Severn Trent starts tender process
FTSE 100 company Severn Trent Water is to kickstart its tender process in a matter of weeks, as its current single-supplier mandate with Eversheds expires at the end of March 2015.
Herbert Smith Freehills’ heavyweight misses out on management post after elections
Herbert Smith Freehills‘ (HSF) partnership vote for its global partnership council has revealed the firm’s post-merger dynamics, with prominent corporate partner James Palmer missing out on a seat, which instead was secured by Sydney-based M&A partner Mark Crean.
The clients’ verdict: Linklaters wins best firm in show from annual in-house survey
In what signals a marked return to favour for the City’s elite players, Magic Circle firm Linklaters has led the field in Legal Business’ third annual in-house survey as best overall adviser in 2014, pushing Eversheds, which emerged as the clear overall favourite in 2013, into second place.