A key morning session of our 2019 Corporate and M&A Summit saw Linklaters London competition head Nicole Kar chair a lively debate between two authorities on European competition law and policy and its effect on M&A. On one side was economist Dr Claudio Calcagno, a vice president at Analysis Group and an expert in the competition arena, while on the other side sat John Gray, partner at Finsbury and head of its competition practice, who focuses on public affairs aspects of merger control cases, both in the UK and the EU.

Continue reading “Tougher competition – the growing impact of antitrust marquee deals”

It was fitting that one of the first morning sessions of our inaugural Corporate and M&A Summit dealt with arguably the trickiest period of any public M&A deal – the first week, and specifically critical initial dealings with the Takeover Panel. Continue reading “The Takeover Panel – that crucial first week”

The final session before lunch in our Corporate and M&A Summit looked at the mechanics of auctions and how best to handle the competitive bid process from both the buyer’s and seller’s perspective. The session, moderated by co-chair of Greenberg Traurig’s global corporate practice, Fiona Adams, brought together panelists experienced in the auction process. Joining Adams was colleague Paul Maher, veteran corporate lawyer and vice chair of Greenberg, along with Jessie Gill, head of legal at Stemcor; Chris Hunt, group head of M&A for Rentokil Initial; and Nick Johnston, partner at Perella Weinberg. Continue reading “Auctions – how to play the game”

Given that mega mergers coming out of the pharmaceutical and life sciences sector have dominated the corporate agenda for decades, it was fitting that an afternoon session of our inaugural Corporate and M&A Summit focused on transactional trends in this area. Chaired by Laura Anderson, co-chair of Bristows life sciences group, it gathered a collection of in-house experts from big pharma. Continue reading “Big pharma, small partners: the key transactional trends in life sciences”

Given that mega mergers coming out of the pharmaceutical and life sciences sector have dominated the corporate agenda for decades, it was fitting that an afternoon session of our inaugural Corporate and M&A Summit focused on transactional trends in this area. Chaired by Laura Anderson, co-chair of Bristows life sciences group, it gathered a collection of in-house experts from big pharma. Continue reading “Big pharma, small partners: the key transactional trends in life sciences”

‘What do we mean by business partnering in the legal department?’ Royal Dutch Shell legal director Donny Ching asks. Few general counsel can long resist reminding observers that the in-house legal function needs to be a strong business partner. But far fewer can explain what it means. Continue reading “Shell’s Future Legal 2 programme”

‘What do we mean by business partnering in the legal department?’ Royal Dutch Shell legal director Donny Ching asks. Few general counsel can long resist reminding observers that the in-house legal function needs to be a strong business partner. But far fewer can explain what it means. Continue reading “Shell’s Future Legal 2 programme”

So ubiquitous have two companies become in legal tech circles that they are rarely discussed directly, just accepted as facts of life, like gravity or air. Those two are, of course, LexisNexis and the legal division of Thomson Reuters, which have over the last 30 years positioned themselves as the dominant providers of the informational ‘plumbing’ law firms require to ply their trade.

Continue reading “Big beasts”

So ubiquitous have two companies become in legal tech circles that they are rarely discussed directly, just accepted as facts of life, like gravity or air. Those two are, of course, LexisNexis and the legal division of Thomson Reuters, which have over the last 30 years positioned themselves as the dominant providers of the informational ‘plumbing’ law firms require to ply their trade.

Continue reading “Big beasts”

Post Office refreshes panel with two-tier system

Pinsent Masons and Linklaters are among six law firms that have won spots on the Post Office’s new two-tier legal panel, worth £39m. Pinsents, Linklaters and Norton Rose Fulbright have been appointed to lot one, covering complex strategic work across the company, which is wholly owned by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and provides a broad spectrum of services, spanning from postal, to broadband, to financial and bill payments. Pinsents has also been assigned to the second lot, joining Womble Bond Dickinson, DAC Beachcroft and Ashfords for general legal services and day-to-day legal advice. The panel is set to run for a four-year term initially, with a possible two-year extension.

Continue reading “Significant matters – Summer 2019”

Post Office refreshes panel with two-tier system

Pinsent Masons and Linklaters are among six law firms that have won spots on the Post Office’s new two-tier legal panel, worth £39m. Pinsents, Linklaters and Norton Rose Fulbright have been appointed to lot one, covering complex strategic work across the company, which is wholly owned by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and provides a broad spectrum of services, spanning from postal, to broadband, to financial and bill payments. Pinsents has also been assigned to the second lot, joining Womble Bond Dickinson, DAC Beachcroft and Ashfords for general legal services and day-to-day legal advice. The panel is set to run for a four-year term initially, with a possible two-year extension.

Continue reading “Significant matters – Summer 2019”

It was supposed to be the grand coming-out party. Drinks, speeches, celebrations. The much-touted Mindful Business Charter formally unveiled to the unforgiving trade of law. A group of clean-cut law firms lined up on one side of the room, eager to make an impression. Yet, on the other, GC suitors were few and far between.
Continue reading “The Mindful Business Charter needs clients to succeed. So where are they?”

It was supposed to be the grand coming-out party. Drinks, speeches, celebrations. The much-touted Mindful Business Charter formally unveiled to the unforgiving trade of law. A group of clean-cut law firms lined up on one side of the room, eager to make an impression. Yet, on the other, GC suitors were few and far between.
Continue reading “The Mindful Business Charter needs clients to succeed. So where are they?”