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”
Barclays blocks pay for all KWM Europe staff as partnership continues toward administration
Staff at King & Wood Mallesons‘ (KWM) European partnership will be left without salary payments following the breakdown of negotiations with Barclays. Continue reading “Barclays blocks pay for all KWM Europe staff as partnership continues toward administration”
Freshfields tops European deal tables as M&A figures drop from record highs
Global M&A volume dropped for 2016 following its record high the year before, and with it Magic Circle firms Linklaters and Clifford Chance have been knocked out of Dealogic’s top ten European attorney rankings. Continue reading “Freshfields tops European deal tables as M&A figures drop from record highs”
Revolving doors: Linklaters hires in Germany as Akin Gump takes Addleshaws litigator
In a busy start to the year, Linklaters and Simmons & Simmons have added to the benches in Europe, while Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, Eversheds and DLA Piper have hired in the UK. Continue reading “Revolving doors: Linklaters hires in Germany as Akin Gump takes Addleshaws litigator”
In-house: BP promotes veteran Nitcher to group GC as Bondy exits
BP has appointed Eric Nitcher as group general counsel, effective from 1 January. The 26-year-veteran of the oil giant replaces former legal head Rupert Bondy, who quit to join FTSE 100 company Reckitt Benckiser at the end of last year. Continue reading “In-house: BP promotes veteran Nitcher to group GC as Bondy exits”
‘A different weight class’: Ashurst exits resume as Pinsents and Burges Salmon hire a partner each
Despite seeming to plug a run of partner exits late last year, Ashurst has lost two partners, with Pinsent Masons and Burges Salmon each picking up new hires. Continue reading “‘A different weight class’: Ashurst exits resume as Pinsents and Burges Salmon hire a partner each”
‘International reach’: Kennedys continues global expansion with Europe association
Kennedys has continued its aggressive global expansion by entering into a formal association with Italian firm Studio Legale Rinaldi Associati (RASS), providing the firm with offices in Milan, Rome and Bologna.
Reed Smith poised to take more KWM heavyweights in Europe as Proskauer hires in London
Reed Smith continues its quest to recruit King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) partners in Europe and is in talks with corporate heavyweight Mark Sanders in London and a leading trio in Paris.
Efficiency drive: Freshfields shakes up London secretarial staff roles
Personal assistants at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in London have been offered voluntary redundancy or the chance to apply for a more client-focused role in a move that affects around 180 staff.
Continue reading “Efficiency drive: Freshfields shakes up London secretarial staff roles”
KWM co-head of funds in Paris exits for Willkie Farr
King & Wood Mallesons‘ co-head of investment funds in Paris, Nathalie Duguay, has joined Willkie Farr & Gallagher as asset management partner. Continue reading “KWM co-head of funds in Paris exits for Willkie Farr”
In-house: Worldpay promotes divisional legal head to replace outgoing group GC
Worldpay has promoted Ruwan De Soyza to group general counsel following the exit of Mark Edwards after two years in the role. Continue reading “In-house: Worldpay promotes divisional legal head to replace outgoing group GC”
Guest post: Bring out the benchmarks – what the numbers reveal about the world’s biggest legal market
It’s review and prediction season in the law firm world, as various commentators and consultants issue their annual thunderclaps. I’ve long admired this work, both for the labour involved and the ability to help set the discussion agenda. Continue reading “Guest post: Bring out the benchmarks – what the numbers reveal about the world’s biggest legal market”