In her much-touted new book on bolstering team-working in professional services, Smart Collaboration, Harvard Law School professor Heidi Gardner argues that sophisticated buyers are increasingly expecting an open-house approach from advisers in delivering their wares.
DAC Beachcroft and The In-House Lawyer recently conducted a survey to assess the role and influence of the in-house lawyer in managing risk. Is the role that of ringmaster – right at the heart of the matter – or more a side-line prompt? Essentially does the legal department have the necessary influence, associations, and information to fulfil the role of business adviser effectively? A picture emerges of the in-house lawyer as a key player in risk management and important contributors to the risk process, albeit that they own few risks. Continue reading “Managing risk: the in-house view”
‘When fintech became a big thing the narrative was all about the banks being disrupted and the threat to their business model,’ says Martin Cook, UK general counsel at Funding Circle, one of the world’s most successful peer-to-peer lenders. ‘There has since been a shift toward what might be called “fintech 2.0”, with a less aggressive conversation on both sides. The business model has matured toward delivering a better service to the customer rather than simply beating the banks.’
It has been a long, long time since one of London’s elite law firms has genuinely shifted direction. So the shake up currently unfolding at Silk Street under the newish teaming of managing partner Gideon Moore and senior partner Charlie Jacobs is, professionally speaking, a big deal.
Continue reading “Comment: New look Linklaters – cuddly inclusiveness proves oddly compelling”
Marcus Lee, previously general counsel (GC) of Channel 5, has been promoted to GC for UK, northern and eastern Europe for Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN), also part of the media conglomerate Viacom.
Continue reading “In-house: Channel 5 GC takes role at Viacom following internal restructure”
Slaughter and May, Allen & Overy, Linklaters and Clifford Chance are among the firms to have been named on Standard Chartered‘s revised legal panel following a review earlier this year.
Macfarlanes has advised UK based virtual simulation start-up Improbable on its $502m financing raised from Japanese telecoms group SoftBank. Continue reading “‘A landmark transaction’: Macfarlanes advises UK tech start-up Improbable on $502m financing from SoftBank”
In a bid to keep pace with high-paying US rivals, Clifford Chance (CC) has voted through another round of changes to its remuneration, introducing more flexibility to pay top billers. Continue reading “‘A more complex approach’: CC votes through more lockstep reform to fend off mounting US threat”
The UK’s Magic Circle (MC) – a variable, but severally-numbered group of firms which represent a charmed band favoured by the government, banks and major companies in the UK – will not, I think, survive in the longer term. Continue reading “Guest post: The Magic Circle is doomed. Here’s why.”
Travers Smith has unveiled its partner promotions for 2017, with four female associates making the cut. The number is slightly less than last year, when six associates (two of whom were women) were made up. Continue reading “Travers Smith announces first ever all-female partner promotion round”
DLA Piper and Gianni, Origoni, Grippo, Cappelli & Partners have picked up mandates as Italy’s Atlantia launched a bid of €16.3bn cash-and-share offer for its Spanish rival Abertis, in an effort to create the world’s biggest operator of toll roads. Continue reading “DLA in the driver’s seat as Italy’s Atlantia bids to create world’s largest operator of toll roads”
DLA Piper announced today (15 May) that it is entering Nigeria through an alliance with local firm Olajide Oyewole, following three minor office closures and one opening in the space of two months for the firm. Olajide Oyewole was established in 1966 and is based in Lagos. Continue reading “‘Reflecting a strong relationship’: DLA continues global expansion with Nigeria alliance”
Mishcon de Reya has revealed a six-strong shortlist of legal tech start-ups to participate in its incubator programme, MDR LAB. The companies were selected after a pitch day at Mishcon’s London office on 25 April, where 19 companies presented their products. Continue reading “‘Young and ambitious’: Mishcon picks six legal start-ups for incubation programme”
Legal Business‘ team and contacts have had to put up with me banging on about my intention to do an issue focused on quality of life for quite some time. It is a difficult topic to write about without descending into generality or banality but this remains a people business to the bone.
Continue reading “Comment: Quality of life – law can give it…and take it away”
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has named Capsticks as its sole provider for disciplinary and litigation work, opting to abandon a law firm panel approach.
Continue reading “Capsticks wins out as SRA ditches panels for sole adviser mandate”
William Hill has invited law firms to pitch for its new UK panel with the bookmaker expected to slim down its six-strong roster. Continue reading “Luck of the draw: William Hill invites law firms to pitch for smaller legal panel”
LB100 firm Bevan Brittan has brought 90 administrative staff back into the firm, ending its six-year agreement with Intelligent Office UK – which takes outsourced services from professional services firms. Continue reading “Back in-house: Bevan Brittan ends outsourcing agreement to bring 90 admin staff into the firm”
Listed law firm Slater and Gordon (S&G) is to bring a £600m action against the company formerly known as Quindell over its 2015 deal to acquire Quindell’s professional services division.
White & Case‘s London associates have seen a significant increase in their pay with the US firm awarding its newly qualified (NQ) associates with a £15,000 pay hike for 2017.
Experienced financial regulation partner Bob Penn, who moved to Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton last year and advised HSBC on the controversial bank ring-fencing reforms while at Allen & Overy (A&O), is clear on whether those reforms are fit for purpose. ‘This is a hugely unwelcome and disruptive process, and frankly yet another distraction from running a profitable bank at a time when they are already facing a cascade of regulatory reform and the prospect of Brexit.’
