The City of London Law Society (CLLS) has criticised new proposals from the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) to create a ‘super-exam’ for all trainee solicitors. Continue reading “‘Serious reservations’: City firms blast new super exam proposals”
Licence to operate: HSF latest to enter Kuala Lumpur as market liberalises
Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) announced today (13 January) it will open in Kuala Lumpur as part of its South East Asia expansion strategy. The firm has obtained a Qualified Foreign Law Firm licence from the Malaysian Bar Council, allowing it to practice without an association. Continue reading “Licence to operate: HSF latest to enter Kuala Lumpur as market liberalises”
Private equity: Advent and Bain return to Weil for latest payments acquisition
Weil, Gotshal & Manges and Hogan Lovells have taken key roles as Advent International and Bain Capital Private Equity have agreed to purchase Concardis for a reported $745m. Continue reading “Private equity: Advent and Bain return to Weil for latest payments acquisition”
Making a comeback: Ince claims turnover will grow 15% this year as shipping firm opens in Marseille
Ince & Co has opened its thirteenth office in Marseille while the firm’s senior partner predicts a 15% year-on-year increase in turnover for 2016/17. Continue reading “Making a comeback: Ince claims turnover will grow 15% this year as shipping firm opens in Marseille”
Freshfields, HSF and Skadden heavyweights among 113 new QCs in latest record round
Senior disputes partners from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF), King & Spalding and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom have taken silk in the latest round of QC appointments, where 113 were selected out of a round of 254 candidates. Continue reading “Freshfields, HSF and Skadden heavyweights among 113 new QCs in latest record round”
King & Spalding takes key role on $12bn Saudi public-private partnership
King & Spalding (K&S) has won a lead role on a $12bn public-private partnership as Saudi Arabia moves to privatise the construction and management of school buildings.
Continue reading “King & Spalding takes key role on $12bn Saudi public-private partnership”
BLP’s Latner latest to move in-house to Playtech as general counsel
Long-time Playtech adviser Alex Latner, a partner at Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has moved in-house, taking up the role of general counsel at the publicly traded gaming company. Continue reading “BLP’s Latner latest to move in-house to Playtech as general counsel”
Guest post: Time for the Law Society to cut the cord
Anyone who has seen the Law Society council in action over the past 20 years will not be surprised by the criticism levelled at it by chief executive Catherine Dixon in her brutally frank resignation letter last week. Continue reading “Guest post: Time for the Law Society to cut the cord”
LLP accounts: Holman Fenwick slashes top member pay as Fieldfisher boosts leadership remuneration
The latest release of firm LLP accounts at Companies House has seen Holman Fenwick Willian drastically reduce pay to its top member, as Fieldfisher has increased its top member pay and given more to its leadership team. Continue reading “LLP accounts: Holman Fenwick slashes top member pay as Fieldfisher boosts leadership remuneration”
The big get bigger: Dentons expands in Barbados and opens second office in Mexico
Mega verein Dentons has announced it is opening new offices in Mexico and Barbados as part of its latest expansion initiative. Continue reading “The big get bigger: Dentons expands in Barbados and opens second office in Mexico”
KWM funds architect Blake latest to exit troubled firm
US firm O’Melveny & Myers is the latest to benefit from partner exits at King & Wood Mallesons‘ European arm, as head of funds Jonathan Blake will join the firm. Continue reading “KWM funds architect Blake latest to exit troubled firm”
Shopping around: Sainsbury’s to overhaul legal panel
Sainsbury’s is to overhaul its legal panel and create a roster which will also cover its recent Home Retail Group acquisition. Continue reading “Shopping around: Sainsbury’s to overhaul legal panel”
KWM drops litigation as Goodwin Procter picks up 26 lawyers from troubled firm
King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) has dropped litigation against Goodwin Procter and its former corporate partner Richard Lever, as the US firm brings on 26 partners from the legacy SJ Berwin practice. Continue reading “KWM drops litigation as Goodwin Procter picks up 26 lawyers from troubled firm”
Tony West, general counsel, PepsiCo
Diversity is very much at the core of what PepsiCo believes is needed to build a great organization, not just in legal, but through the whole company. Diversity of thought and experience gives us valuable insights, fuels our product innovation and helps us to attract the best talent.
Slaughters, Addleshaws, Pinsents and Bond Dickinson win places on Diageo’s extended UK roster
Despite the trend for smaller panels, Diageo has expanded its UK roster, with Slaughter and May, Pinsent Masons and Addleshaw Goddard reappointed while it is understood Bond Dickinson has made the panel for the first time. Continue reading “Slaughters, Addleshaws, Pinsents and Bond Dickinson win places on Diageo’s extended UK roster”
KWM latest: European partnership buys more time before administration as Osborne Clarke takes top biller Couter
King & Wood Mallesons‘ (KWM) European partnership has filed a new intention of notice to appoint administrators as the firm continues to leak partners. The previous notice has now expired, having been valid for ten working days since 22 December when it was filed. Continue reading “KWM latest: European partnership buys more time before administration as Osborne Clarke takes top biller Couter”
More leadership changes at Freshfields as Embley and Herman made M&A co-heads
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has rejigged the leadership of its heavyweight M&A practice, appointing London-based Bruce Embley and New York-based Matthew Herman as its new global M&A co-heads. Continue reading “More leadership changes at Freshfields as Embley and Herman made M&A co-heads”
Back from the bench: Tomlinson to rejoin 7KBW as an arbitrator following CoA retirement
Sir Stephen Tomlinson will retire from the Court of Appeal and re-join 7 King’s Bench Walk (7KBW) as a full-time arbitrator effective from 11 January.
City stalwart Macfarlanes opens in Brussels with KWM hires
Despite being known for its reluctance towards overseas expansion, Macfarlanes is launching a new office in Brussels early this year for the competition team it hired from King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) in December. Continue reading “City stalwart Macfarlanes opens in Brussels with KWM hires”
‘Hugely experienced’: Child abuse inquiry picks 2 Bedford Row QC Altman to replace Emmerson
After its top lawyer resigned in September, the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) has appointed a new lead counsel in the form of 2 Bedford Row’s Brian Altman QC. Continue reading “‘Hugely experienced’: Child abuse inquiry picks 2 Bedford Row QC Altman to replace Emmerson”