Olswang has lost the co-chair of its patent prosecution group to Dentons as the TMT firm prepares its mega merger with CMS Cameron McKenna and Nabarro. Continue reading “Olswang’s patent prosecution co-head exits amid merger talks”
Barclays introduces new thresholds for relationship accounts and tenders in latest panel review
Barclays has introduced a new threshold for relationship accounts and has increased the trigger point for its policy to tender work from £25,000 to £100,000 after a feedback exercise during its last panel review, it has emerged. Continue reading “Barclays introduces new thresholds for relationship accounts and tenders in latest panel review”
Bar Council plans new fee hike to plug pensions shortfall
The representative body for barristers, the Bar Council, has proposed a 12% fee hike for practising certificates at the Bar in order to plug a hole in pension funds. It wants to raise fees until 2021 when it projects it can eliminate its existing deficit. Continue reading “Bar Council plans new fee hike to plug pensions shortfall”
Overdue: Ashurst partners to receive quarterly distributions after successive delays
Ashurst partners are set to receive their quarterly profit distributions this month after payments were delayed earlier this year.
A partner at the firm confirmed that quarterly profit distributions are expected this month after Ashurst halted its August payout to partners following disappointing 2015/16 financial results, which saw profit per equity partner drop by 19%.
Fieldfisher latest to boost Chinese presence with JS Partners tie–up
Fieldfisher has announced a tie-up with Chinese boutique firm JS Partners. The merger is effective today (15 November) and will operate under a Swiss verein structure, as JS Partners adopts the Fieldfisher brand.
Continue reading “Fieldfisher latest to boost Chinese presence with JS Partners tie–up”
Sidley Austin continues work for Bank of Cyprus with FTSE listing
Sidley Austin‘s London office is advising as the Bank of Cyprus prepares to list on the London Stock Exchange (LSE). Continue reading “Sidley Austin continues work for Bank of Cyprus with FTSE listing”
Updated: Addleshaws confirms merger plans with HBJ Gateley
Following failed merger talks with Maclay Murray & Spens, Addleshaw Goddard is making another play for the Scottish market, seeking to acquire HBJ Gateley‘s three Scottish offices in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Continue reading “Updated: Addleshaws confirms merger plans with HBJ Gateley”
Revolving doors: Clifford Chance and RPC bulk out in Asia as Dentons expands in Europe
In this week’s round-up of lateral appointments, Clifford Chance (CC) and RPC have added to the benches in Hong Kong, while Dentons has hired in Europe and Lawyers on Demand’s (LOD) Jonathan Brenner has taken on a new part-time role at Keystone Law.
Inside KWM’s rescue deal: Management guarantee minimum earnings as salaried partners also tapped for cash
As the European and Middle East partnership of King & Wood Mallesons considers a rescue plan to stabilise the business, Legal Business can reveal the firm has made a cash call to salaried partners, and guaranteed minimum earnings to equity partners.
Another defection from Macfarlanes as competition head moves to White & Case
In a rare move, White & Case has hired Macfarlanes competition and EU head Marc Israel after 15 years at the firm. Continue reading “Another defection from Macfarlanes as competition head moves to White & Case”
Nabarro slashes pension deficit ahead of three-way merger, LLPs reveal
Nabarro has more than halved its pension deficit from almost £31.9m to £12.2m, according to its latest LLP filing for the year ending April 2016.
Continue reading “Nabarro slashes pension deficit ahead of three-way merger, LLPs reveal”
City lawyers express concern as Lord Jackson is appointed to new review of court costs
City lawyers are emphasising the importance of access to justice following the government’s announcement Lord Justice Jackson is to head up a new review of fixed recoverable costs early next year. Continue reading “City lawyers express concern as Lord Jackson is appointed to new review of court costs”
Eversheds and Linklaters act as L&G finalises biggest pensions buyout of the year
Eversheds has advised Legal & General Group on the largest pensions risk transfer of 2016 as the insurer takes on £1.1bn of the Vickers Group Pension Scheme. Continue reading “Eversheds and Linklaters act as L&G finalises biggest pensions buyout of the year”
‘One of the top teams’: Milbank takes A&O US senior partner in real estate group hire
Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy has taken on a three-partner team from Allen & Overy (A&O) in New York, including the firm’s US senior partner Kevin O’Shea. Continue reading “‘One of the top teams’: Milbank takes A&O US senior partner in real estate group hire”
£14m and a 12-month lock-in: Asia lays out terms of KWM bailout package
European partners at beleaguered King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) have been given a lifeline by the Asia partners at the firm, who have agreed to stump up cash in exchange for a lock-in and a capital contribution.
Continue reading “£14m and a 12-month lock-in: Asia lays out terms of KWM bailout package”
BLM to cut almost half of support staff in Leeds in ongoing restructuring
LB 100 firm BLM has confirmed it will axe 19 out of 40 business support roles in Leeds as it downsizes and relocates in the city.
Continue reading “BLM to cut almost half of support staff in Leeds in ongoing restructuring”
Comment: Turbulence to shape next generation of M&A stars
There is a school of thought that the late 1980s and early 1990s proved singularly fertile ground for developing outstanding corporate lawyers. You can see the logic. The deregulation of Big Bang ushered in fresh investment, players and techniques and unleashed a wave of activity to be swiftly followed by the early 1990s’ recession. Continue reading “Comment: Turbulence to shape next generation of M&A stars”
Crunch time for KWM as partners meet over Chinese bailout deal
King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) global managing partner Stuart Fuller has stepped down from his leadership role as the firm meets today to hear a proposal to stabilise its European business. Continue reading “Crunch time for KWM as partners meet over Chinese bailout deal”
Stepping down: Rio Tinto legal head to exit amid payments investigation
Rio Tinto legal executive Debra Valentine has stepped down from her role, after having previously notified the company of her intention to retire in May 2017. Continue reading “Stepping down: Rio Tinto legal head to exit amid payments investigation”
Finance partner takes executive partner role at Slaughter and May
Slaughter and May announced today (10 November) that finance partner Paul Stacey is to be the firm’s new executive partner. He will take on the role as of May 2017, for a five year term. Continue reading “Finance partner takes executive partner role at Slaughter and May”