Precision instruments – the curiously orderly disruption of legal ops teams

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Precision instruments – the curiously orderly disruption of legal ops teams

With increasing scrutiny of outside spend, general counsel (GCs) are under mounting pressure to deliver a smooth-running and more efficient machine, as well as effective legal advice. GCs must therefore fine-tune their teams with a discerning eye for quality and economy.

It is a far cry from even ten years ago, when legal heads in the main functioned as a general superintendent of sorts, deploying outside counsel to do much of the work. By 2018, it is becoming increasingly common to see GCs at major plcs running in-house teams similar in scope to top-tier law firms. Continue reading “Precision instruments – the curiously orderly disruption of legal ops teams”

Client profile: Neil Murrin, trainline

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Client profile: Neil Murrin, trainline

The train puns were inevitable, but it took longer than expected. Towards the end of my conversation with the general counsel (GC) of online ticket retailer trainline, Neil Murrin, he says: ‘It’s a matter of getting people to join us on that journey.’ And adds: ‘Getting people on the right track and all that.’

Coming from a family of medics, Murrin was intent on avoiding a career in health services. He cites his earliest interest in law as originating from seminal-yet-cheesy drama series L.A. Law, in addition to the influence of his solicitor uncle. He recalls: ‘I’ve always been interested in economics and companies. There was an understanding that law gives you a good training in those areas and could move you towards the company side.’ Continue reading “Client profile: Neil Murrin, trainline”

In-house: Former Aviva leader Risam lands at Blackstone wealth management firm

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In-house: Former Aviva leader Risam lands at Blackstone wealth management firm

The highly-regarded former Aviva UK Life general counsel (GC) Monica Risam has joined Luxembourg wealth-structuring company Lombard International Assurance as its Europe GC.

Risam (pictured) will lead a multi-disciplinary team of about 60 people across legal, regulatory affairs, company secretariat, risk and compliance at the company, which is owned by private equity giant Blackstone Group and has €74.6bn in assets under management. Risam will join the executive committee and report to Lombard Europe chief executive Axel Hörger. Continue reading “In-house: Former Aviva leader Risam lands at Blackstone wealth management firm”

Societe Generale names a dozen firms to new global law roster

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Societe Generale names a dozen firms to new global law roster

French financial services group Societe Generale (SocGen) has named 12 law firms to its new international panel, with a further six practices instructed for disputes and tax work.

The panel is split into 12 full-service firms, which is broken down further into eight ‘preferred’ firms and four ‘selected’ firms, with a further six specialists responsible for large litigation and tax. The European banking giant said the panel was designed to cover its requirements across the 66 countries it operates in, complemented by local panels in those countries. Continue reading “Societe Generale names a dozen firms to new global law roster”

All-round leader: former Co-op Bank legal chief McKeown appointed GC of British Land

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All-round leader: former Co-op Bank legal chief McKeown appointed GC of British Land

Swapping the banking sector for real estate, former general counsel (GC) of The Co-operative Bank, Brona McKeown, has been appointed GC and company secretary of FTSE 100 company British Land.

She arrives after previous incumbent Elaine Williams left for UK logistics company Eddie Stobart in November 2017 after two years in the role. Continue reading “All-round leader: former Co-op Bank legal chief McKeown appointed GC of British Land”

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

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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 and Eversheds Sutherland have lost their slots this time, replaced by Squire Patton Boggs and TMT specialist Wiggin. The firms remaining on the roster are Magic Circle outfits Slaughter and May and Linklaters, alongside Hogan Lovells, Norton Rose Fulbright and Osborne Clarke. Continue reading “Panel reviews: Vodafone and Yum! Brands shake up external adviser rosters”

GC community to lose a heavyweight as BT’s Fitz steps down

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GC community to lose a heavyweight as BT’s Fitz steps down

Widely cited as one of the most influential and admired general counsel (GC) since Legal Business began covering the in-house legal market in earnest more than five years ago, BT GC Dan Fitz is stepping down after seven years to be replaced by former Anheuser-Busch InBev legal chief Sabine Chalmers.

A spokesperson confirmed Chalmers would join BT as GC in April next year, while Fitz (pictured), who has been BT GC since 2010, will remain on the executive committee as company secretary. Continue reading “GC community to lose a heavyweight as BT’s Fitz steps down”

Northern exposure – The Scots GC debate

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Northern exposure – The Scots GC debate

Earlier this year, Legal Business ventured north of the border to highlight the community of commercial counsel flourishing in Scotland in an extended feature. To follow up, this autumn we teamed up with Addleshaw Goddard to gather a panel of senior general counsel (GCs) at Edinburgh’s Signet Library in Parliament Square to debate a range of related issues to an audience of over 60 in-house counsel. With Brexit on the agenda, a changing legal profession and Scotland’s economy striving to reinvent itself for an increasingly-globalised age, there was plenty to talk about.

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Alex Novarese, Legal Business: In recent years, the Scots economy has tracked a little behind the UK. How confident are people feeling now in a turbulent time for business? Continue reading “Northern exposure – The Scots GC debate”

Fresh starts – inside the pioneering US school training lawyers on the start-up community

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Fresh starts – inside the pioneering US school training lawyers on the start-up community

Look out law schools, there is a disrupter in town. Naturally, that town is Silicon Valley, the home of innovation. And the innovator in question is University of California Berkeley, which includes a leading US law school, renowned for its prowess in technology and IP.

It might seem natural that Berkeley Law’s proximity to the Bay Area tech hub would lead to an inventive approach to legal education. This idea certainly drew Hannah Porter, a former entrepreneur, to enrol at Berkeley Law in 2015. Continue reading “Fresh starts – inside the pioneering US school training lawyers on the start-up community”