Last week, Osborne Clarke, Reed Smith and Paul Hastings all expanded their City practices, while Clayton Utz hired Herbert Smith Freehills’ (HSF) Singapore real estate head.
The Friday edit: choosing panels, choosing leaders and choosing to stick with the lockstep
Happy Halloween – if you’re into that sort of thing. For those who are not nine years-old, here’s our weekly review of the stories that may have scared some and thrilled others. For subscriber content, click here for full access to Legal Business.
Ashurst Australia head steps down while HSF picks up Ashurst corporate duo in Asia
Ashurst’s John Carrington, who helped handle the integration of Blake Dawson, has retired as Australian managing partner with no successor, as Herbert Smith Freehills bulks up in Asia with two corporate hires from the firm.
‘We don’t try and be all things to all people’: Vinson & Elkins London head talks staying focused
Vinson & Elkins London managing partner Alexander Msimang talks to Legal Business about how the firm has opted not to invest outside of its core sectors and geographic locations.
Guest post: Excalibur sends chill wind… (again)
The latest instalment in the Excalibur case is interesting for many reasons. One is Lord Justice Clarke’s claim that making litigation funders pay costs on an indemnity basis when costs are awarded against the party they are funding on an indemnity basis is not likely to chill access to justice.
Not a ‘secret cartel’: Linklaters and Milbank secure victory for Visa against major retailers
Linklaters and Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy have secured a judgment in favour of Visa after 12 major UK retailers, led by the Arcadia Group, sought damages in relation to Visa’s setting of interchange rates.
‘Cooperating fully’: Freshfields advises Tesco on SFO criminal investigation
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is set to advise Tesco on the formal criminal investigation by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) after leading the investigation into the retailer’s profit warning alongside accountancy giant Deloitte.
‘We won’t break lockstep, we see it as a strength’: Clifford Chance US chiefs talk growing revenues and love of the lockstep
As fellow Magic Circle firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer targets the US market, Clifford Chance’s US leadership is seeking to upscale its offering in the Americas, and are actively looking to recruit fresh talent across all levels, from associate to partner. But, such growth, explains Americas managing partner Evan Cohen and Washington DC managing partner David DiBari, will be achieved without breaking away from the firm’s traditional remuneration system.
‘There is much still to accomplish’: Norton Rose Fulbright re-elects Peter Martyr for fifth term as chief executive
Norton Rose Fulbright has re-elected Peter Martyr as global chief executive for a further three years, an appointment that will constitute the leader’s fifth term in the top role. The firm has, however, appointed Martin Scott, the firm’s global corporate head, M&A securities, to succeed Martyr as managing partner of Norton Rose Fulbright LLP.
Retirement terms: Former partners win exemption from Halliwells liquidator
Steven Fennell, a former Halliwells partner, has won a High Court declaration that stops Halliwells’ liquidators’ claim of £125,000 against him for alleged overdrawings.