In order to capitalise on the benefits that a diverse and inclusive workplace can bring, a leader may have to get beyond initial resistance within the corporation, often arising from fear of being targeted or implicitly blamed. Continue reading “Shaping diversity: part two”
Despite the many senior GCs and in-house counsel that we have interviewed for this report (and elsewhere in GC magazine) as active sponsors of diverse workplaces, some of our consultants noted that legal departments were not typically being identified by diversity professionals as pioneers within their corporations on this issue. Continue reading “Shaping diversity: part three”
Diversity and inclusion are now top strategic priorities for 21st century business leaders. Across the globe, many general counsel and law firm managing partners are engaged in the debate and committed to creating the conditions for diverse and inclusive organisations. Continue reading “Diversity toolkit”
We began our survey of European GCs and other leading in-house legal figures by posing the question ‘Do you think that the legal team has a role to play in promoting diversity and inclusion in the wider organisation?’ Continue reading “A numbers game: diversity in Europe”
In about as big a talent move as possible between the UK’s two dominant legal training providers, BPP’s former chief executive Peter Crisp has joined the University of Law (ULaw) as pro vice chancellor.
Crisp, who spent 20 years at BPP University Law School first as a tutor and later chief executive, will assume his new role on 2 January and join ULaw’s executive management team led by vice chancellor and chief executive Andrea Nollent. He joins two existing pro vice chancellors and will focus on business development and client relationships. Continue reading “ULaw continues fightback to bring in high-profile former chief of arch rival BPP”
In a busy week for international practices, DWF has made a breakthrough on the continent, opening its first Italy office in Milan with a 16-lawyer team including four partners. The latest launch for the ever-expanding firm comes just a few weeks after announcing a launch in Australia.
Three of the Milan partners, corporate finance specialist Michele Cicchetti, tax partner Tancredi Marino and M&A partner Luca Cuomo, will join DWF’s Milan office from local independent firm Pavia & Ansaldo with Cicchetti becoming managing partner of DWF Italy. The fourth partner, real estate specialist Daniele Zanni, arrives from fellow Italian independent LS Lexjus Sinacta. The remaining 12 lawyers are all being supplied by Pavia. Continue reading “International round-up: Europe focus for new offices and key hires while Clydes US deal hits buffers”
Just a month after Uber drafted in Hogan Lovells to launch a legal challenge to Transport for London’s (TfL) decision to not renew its private hire licence, the US-based ridesharing company has hired Pepsico’s Tony West as its new chief legal officer.
In a company email, Uber’s chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi said that West, who served as PepsiCo’s executive vice president for public policy and government affairs, general counsel (GC) and company secretary, was ‘exactly what Uber needs now’. Continue reading “‘Exactly what Uber needs now’: Beleaguered app hires PepsiCo’s Tony West as chief legal officer”
Mr Justice Peter Smith, the controversial judge at the centre of two investigations by the Judicial Conduct and Investigations Office (JCIO), has retired. The move brings to an end all investigations and was announced just before he was set to be the subject of a disciplinary panel hearing today (30 October) and tomorrow (31 October).
Smith had been the subject of an investigation launched in 2015 by the JCIO that centred on his behaviour in a trial involving British Airways (BA), where he had to recuse himself after getting into a dispute with the airline over his lost luggage. Continue reading “Nick of time – controversial judge Smith retires ending conduct investigations”
DAC Beachcroft will reward top-performing partners with more generous bonuses after the top-25 Legal Business 100 firm voted through changes to its remuneration structure.
The national firm has introduced the new bonus scheme with immediate effect following a full governance review, removing a cap on the level of profit going into its merit pool to allow for more flexibility in remuneration. Continue reading “Profitability drive sees DAC Beachcroft hike bonuses to incentivise top performers”
Now is the time to demonstrate how you have positioned yourself ahead of the pack: nominations are open for the most prestigious showcase of talent in the industry, the Legal Business Awards 2018.
The event will take place on Thursday 18 April 2018 at The Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London. You have until 24 November to provide submissions in any of the 24 categories open to teams or individuals. Continue reading “Could it be your year? Nominations open for the Legal Business Awards 2018”
Global 100 leaders lined up on two billion-pound-plus European IPOs this week, as market confidence continues to return in 2017.
Latham & Watkins and Clifford Chance advised on the IPO of TI Fluid, a year after plans to float car parts maker were shelved due to the uncertainty following Britain’s decision to leave the EU, unrest in the Middle East and the fluctuation of oil prices. Continue reading “Deal watch: Latham and CC advise on billion-pound listing as market confidence starts to return”
The growing threat of cyber-attacks shows no sign of abating, with news that global offshore firm Appleby was the victim of a data breach last year.
In a statement on the firm’s website posted yesterday (24 October), Appleby conceded that a ‘data security incident’ took place in 2016. Continue reading “‘Sector needs to take this seriously’: cyber-attack on offshore firm Appleby sees data on brink of entering public domain”
Ropes & Gray continues to promote London partners two-by-two, adding another duo in finance this year as part of a global promotions round of 12. The number of City promotions equals those made in the previous two years, while the overall total is up by one from 11 in 2016.
Derivatives and structured finance specialist Anna Lawry and leveraged finance lawyer Alex Robb will be made up on 1 November. Lawry joined Ropes in 2014 as counsel in its hedge funds group. She advises on derivatives in financing and corporate transactions, as well as regulatory developments affecting derivatives. Before joining Ropes, Lawry was an associate at Slaughter and May for 14 years. Continue reading “Partner promotions: Ropes & Gray sticks with tradition as it makes up two in London”
Top-50 insurance specialist Kennedys has continued its rapid expansion both in London and further afield with a double hire from Mayer Brown in the City and the launch of a Bermuda office – the firm’s tenth office launch this year – with local law firm Sedgwick Chudleigh joining the firm’s global network.
In London, Kennedys has hired Mayer Brown’s London insurance and reinsurance head David Chadwick as well as partner Andrew McGahey, who will join the firm’s Dublin office. Continue reading “Kennedys ramps up expansion at home and abroad with double hire from Mayer Brown and launch of Bermuda office”
A four-partner, top-ranked sports law team from Charles Russell Speechlys has spun off to create specialist boutique firm Northridge, while media and brands specialist Wiggin has acquired intellectual property (IP) practice Redd.
Northridge founding partners Jonathan Ellis, Ian Lynam, Jon Walters and James Eighteen, who led Charles Russell’s sports law team to tier 1 in the Legal 500, launch the new firm this morning (23 October) with a starting team comprised of 16 fee earners. Continue reading “Top-tier sports law team spins off from Charles Russell Speechlys as Wiggin acquires IP boutique Redd”
Strengthening its considerable European disputes offering, Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) will open in Milan with the hire of Simmons & Simmons’ Italian disputes and IP head Laura Orlando.
The firm is seeking to take advantage of the European pharmaceutical patent litigation market, second only in the world to the US in terms of size. The office is set to officially open in early 2018. Continue reading “HSF launches in Milan with hire of Simmons Italian disputes head”
Part of an ongoing and concerted effort to manage the public purse for legal advice, the Government has announced plans to set up a £650m marketplace for the public sector to procure legal services.
Central government, devolved administrations and public bodies would procure legal advice through the marketplace, according to a pre-tender notice published by the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) this week. Continue reading “Beauty parade in the offing as Government announces launch of £650m ‘legal services marketplace’”
Following the recent decision to relocate Ince & Co senior partner Jan Heuvels to Hong Kong, the firm has appointed HR director Andrew Jameson in the new role as head of the London office.
Heuvels, one of Ince’s batch of ‘superstar’ insurance partners who became senior partner in 2014, will depart for the firm’s Hong Kong office next month. Continue reading “Ince & Co creates London head role as senior partner Heuvels makes Hong Kong move”
In an unusual City move from a US firm to the Magic Circle, Latham & Watkins co-head of investment funds Tom Alabaster is to join Linklaters three years after joining Latham from Carlyle.
The hire comes a few months after Linklaters launched a refreshed strategy to focus on financial sponsors and fund formation and Alabaster, who starts next month, is a significant coup for a firm less known for fund formation work compared to rivals Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Clifford Chance. Continue reading “Linklaters throws down gauntlet as Latham funds co-head makes rare City switch”
Three UK partners at Eversheds Sutherland, including the Manchester senior partner, will vie for the role of chair after Leeds litigator Paul Smith’s four-year term comes to an end later this year.
The partners who plan to stand for election are joint head of energy and infrastructure Robert Pitcher, joint UK financial services head Pamela Thompson and Manchester senior partner Michael Clavell-Bate.
It is understood that the election is due to kick off within the next week although there are no official candidates at this stage. Continue reading “Hats in the ring: candidates emerge for Eversheds Sutherland chair contest”
