Eyes on ‘the prize’ – BCLP’s leaders on going all-in for transatlantic union

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Eyes on ‘the prize’ – BCLP’s leaders on going all-in for transatlantic union

LB: What was the background to the merger talks?

Therese Pritchard (TP): I started it. It’s my fault. In February of 2017, I was interested in strategic growth. So looking for a firm that had the same culture and practice areas that are successful or where they were interested in growing. I did some reading. I saw enough that looked interesting that it was worth a call to Lisa. One chat led to another and eventually we invited more partners to the discussions and decided this looked like a great fit. Continue reading “Eyes on ‘the prize’ – BCLP’s leaders on going all-in for transatlantic union”

Comment: A&O merger bid risky but US question can’t be delayed forever

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Comment: A&O merger bid risky but US question can’t be delayed forever

‘It is an odd couple. I wouldn’t have put them together,’ is one take from a London peer to the news that Allen & Overy (A&O) has sought a $2.8bn union with O’Melveny & Myers. It is certainly a representative view.

Since news of the talks broke in early April, One Bishops Square has gone uncharacteristically coy. However, it is understood that management indicated earlier this year that it was talking to two, then unnamed, US firms. A&O, of course, has to tread carefully – getting a deal through the demanding audience of its London partnership with O’Melveny or any comparable firm is a big ask. Continue reading “Comment: A&O merger bid risky but US question can’t be delayed forever”

Dentons gets even more polycentric with seven-way tie-up and Australia hires

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Dentons gets even more polycentric with seven-way tie-up and Australia hires

Dentons, the world’s largest globetrotting firm, has added 17 partners from an ailing Australian shop and announced a combination with seven firms across three continents over the past few weeks.

As 25-partner Australian firm DibbsBarker shut down, Dentons in May acquired ten of its partners in Sydney and two in Melbourne, while another five launched Dentons’ new office in Brisbane. They strengthened the firm’s financial services, real estate and corporate practices. Continue reading “Dentons gets even more polycentric with seven-way tie-up and Australia hires”

A&O merger bid risky but US question can’t be delayed forever

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A&O merger bid risky but US question can’t be delayed forever

‘It is an odd couple. I wouldn’t have put them together,’ is one take from a London peer to the news that Allen & Overy (A&O) has sought a $2.8bn union with O’Melveny & Myers. It is certainly a representative view.

Since news of the talks broke in early April, One Bishops Square has gone uncharacteristically coy. However, it is understood that management indicated earlier this year that it was talking to two, then unnamed, US firms. A&O, of course, has to tread carefully – getting a deal through the demanding audience of its London partnership with O’Melveny or any comparable firm is a big ask. Continue reading “A&O merger bid risky but US question can’t be delayed forever”

‘Established where we need it’: Singapore tie-up sees Watson Farley & Williams round off standout year  

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Watson Farley & Williams has capped off an impressive year of financial growth with international expansion, securing a formal law alliance (FLA) with Singaporean firm Wong Tan & Molly Lim (WTL).

The tie-up, which will be known as WFW & WTL, will allow WFW integrated marketing, billing, client and legal services thanks to the FLA. The FLA structure was introduced by the Singapore government to allow greater flexibility between local firms and their international colleagues. Continue reading “‘Established where we need it’: Singapore tie-up sees Watson Farley & Williams round off standout year  “

BLP’s US merger bid – a certain loss of confidence

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BLP’s US merger bid – a certain loss of confidence

If nothing else, it is safe to say Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP)’s not-very-convincing claim that management was not dead set on a US merger was stretching it. Because recent news that the firm is debating a union with Bryan Cave screams: ‘We really want a US merger!’

The talks come after last year having gone through a bruising but short courtship with the far larger Greenberg Traurig, the thrusting Miami shop which had a culture clash with BLP that could not have been more obvious if it had been heralded by fireworks. Continue reading “BLP’s US merger bid – a certain loss of confidence”

Africa latest chapter in Dentons global playbook as it targets Uganda through local tie-up

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Dentons is to embark on another chapter of its global expansion by entering Uganda through a merger with the African country’s largest law firm, Kampala Associated Advocates (KAA).

As 2017 marks a return to acquisition mode after a quieter 2016, the firm will add yet another new member to its global network, bringing 26-lawyer KAA under the Dentons brand. Continue reading “Africa latest chapter in Dentons global playbook as it targets Uganda through local tie-up”

The Scottish play – amid uncertain times English law firms keep crossing the border

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The Scottish play – amid uncertain times English law firms keep crossing the border

Neither political nor economic uncertainty in Scotland is dampening enthusiasm for law firm tie-ups across the border

With a listless economy, an oil and gas industry decimated by low commodity prices, and uncertainty over its future relationship with the EU and the rest of the UK, Scotland is lacking both clarity and optimism over its future.

Continue reading “The Scottish play – amid uncertain times English law firms keep crossing the border”