Pivot, pivot: Shearman names new senior partner in wake of failed Hogan Lovells merger talks

Pivot, pivot: Shearman names new senior partner in wake of failed Hogan Lovells merger talks

Shearman & Sterling has named respected litigator Adam Hakki as the senior partner successor to David Beveridge, as the firm comes to terms with its failure to strike a merger deal with Hogan Lovells. The move will be cemented in a formal election later in the year, however the firm said in a statement that …

Revolving doors: Cravath launches English law practice with two hires from Shearman

Revolving doors: Cravath launches English law practice with two hires from Shearman

Cravath, Swaine & Moore launched an English-law offering last week through the hire of partner duo Philip Stopford and Korey Fevzi from Shearman & Sterling. Though Cravath has maintained an office in London since 1973, it has never fielded a team of English law practitioners. Its decision to do so now leaves Paul Weiss as …

‘It will be important whatever happens’: Pallas Partners represents ClientEarth in climate action against Shell’s board

‘It will be important whatever happens’: Pallas Partners represents ClientEarth in climate action against Shell’s board

In what the client has billed ‘the first case of its kind seeking to hold corporate directors personally liable’, Pallas Partners is representing ClientEarth pro bono in its case against Shell’s board of directors for ‘mismanaging climate risk’. After nearly a year of pre-action proceedings, Pallas Partners has filed a derivative action against the energy …

Shearman and Travers hit with losses as recruitment turns to restructuring and leveraged finance

Shearman and Travers hit with losses as recruitment turns to restructuring and leveraged finance

Ongoing talk of a merger with Hogan Lovells has prompted an exodus from Shearman & Sterling, with the departure of EMEA and Asia M&A head Philip Cheveley to Sidley Austin one of the headline moves in the London market in recent weeks. The blow to Shearman will be even more keenly felt since the move …

‘With economic downturn, the need to pull the trigger on claims intensifies’ – leading City litigators look at the key disputes trends for 2023

‘With economic downturn, the need to pull the trigger on claims intensifies’ – leading City litigators look at the key disputes trends for 2023

‘Disputes arise when there is disruption, and it seems to me there’s just about every type of disruption at the moment.’ With this, Julian Copeman, a disputes partner at Herbert Smith Freehills neatly summarises market expectations for 2023. It is going to be a busy year.

No personal best this year for Hogan Lovells as turnover and profits decline

No personal best this year for Hogan Lovells as turnover and profits decline

As the financial reporting season kicks off once more, Hogan Lovells has today (22 February) reported a 7% drop in revenue to $2.43bn as PEP fell 8% to $2.28m. This represents a $174m reduction to the firm’s top line and looks likely to set the mood for many Global 100 players as market forces continue …

Revolving Doors: Travers and Shearman exodus continues as US firms pick up the talent

Revolving Doors: Travers and Shearman exodus continues as US firms pick up the talent

Once a rare phenomenon, exits from Travers Smith have picked up pace in recent weeks, with the latest departures announced this week being those of Ed Ford and Sacha Gofton-Salmond to Simpson Thacher & Bartlett. Partners at Travers since July 2021 and July 2022, respectively, Ford and Gofton-Salmond will bring to Simpson Thacher with capabilities …

Revolving Doors: Fresh woes for Shearman as M&A head Cheveley exits as restructuring and lev fin fuel City investment

Revolving Doors: Fresh woes for Shearman as M&A head Cheveley exits as restructuring and lev fin fuel City investment

The merger talks-prompted exodus from Shearman & Sterling continued in recent days with the loss of EMEA and Asia M&A head Philip Cheveley to Sidley Austin in London. The blow to Shearman will be even more keenly felt since the move represents a reversal for one of its stated ambitions to focus on corporate, and …

End of the road for Womble Bond Dickinson merger talks with BDB Pitmans

End of the road for Womble Bond Dickinson merger talks with BDB Pitmans

Merger talks between Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) and BDB Pitmans have been called off, the firms announced on Wednesday (1 February) in a joint statement. Talks of a combination first became public in October 2022, when a story on RollOnFriday prompted WBD and BDB Pitmans to confirm that they were in discussions around a potential …

‘With economic downturn, the need to pull the trigger on claims intensifies’ – leading City litigators look at the key disputes trends for 2023

‘With economic downturn, the need to pull the trigger on claims intensifies’ – leading City litigators look at the key disputes trends for 2023

‘Disputes arise when there is disruption, and it seems to me there’s just about every type of disruption at the moment.’ With this, Julian Copeman, a disputes partner at Herbert Smith Freehills neatly summarises market expectations for 2023. It’s going to be a busy year.