Simmons & Simmons has announced a new joint law venture (JLV) in Singapore with local boutique JWS Asia Law. The new firm will be known as Simmons & Simmons JWS and will offer both foreign and local law advice as of today (1 November).
Ropes UK office founder Allen to retire at the end of the year
Maurice Allen, Ropes & Gray‘s UK office founder and senior partner is to retire at the end of this year. An internal memo announcing Allen’s intention to retire was sent out around the firm’s office today (1 November). Continue reading “Ropes UK office founder Allen to retire at the end of the year”
Hacked off: Newspapers launch legal challenge against Mosley press regulator
Newspapers have threatened to launch a legal challenge against a decision to recognise the first press regulator under the terms of the controversial Royal Charter established following the Leveson Inquiry. Continue reading “Hacked off: Newspapers launch legal challenge against Mosley press regulator”
‘It would be ludicrous’: Government launches consultation into second Leveson inquiry
Culture secretary Karen Bradley has announced a new consultation into whether to hold a second part of the Leveson Inquiry into press standards and regulation. Continue reading “‘It would be ludicrous’: Government launches consultation into second Leveson inquiry”
US partner promotions: Latham makes up two in the City as female promotions dwindle
Ever expanding US heavyweight Latham & Watkins has added two to its City office in a global round of 27 but its push for gender diversity has dropped significantly.
Phone hacking fallout continues as Farrers reputation head faces prosecution by SRA
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is set to prosecute Farrer & Co‘s head of reputation management, Julian Pike, over allegations of advising News International that it should spy on lawyers who were acting for victims of phone hacking. Continue reading “Phone hacking fallout continues as Farrers reputation head faces prosecution by SRA”
Revolving doors: Gowlings appoints new GC as 3VB, Quinn, K&L and DLA boost practices
Gowling WLG has a brand new general counsel while 3 Verulam Buildings (3VB), Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, K&L Gates and DLA Piper have all boosted their numbers with new additions this week.
KWM exits continue as German banking head takes team to Taylor Wessing
Following the resignations of five King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) partners last week, the firm has lost the bulk of its Frankfurt financing team to Taylor Wessing, which takes on five lawyers including two partners. The exits come as the legacy SJ Berwin practice has halted its recapitalisation plans in the face of mounting departures. Continue reading “KWM exits continue as German banking head takes team to Taylor Wessing”
Another exit for Herbert Smith Freehills as Stewarts Law takes advocacy head Gatt QC
Stewarts Law has recruited veteran litigator Ian Gatt QC from Herbert Smith Freehills‘ (HSF) prized advocacy unit. The exit is the third high-profile partner departure in the past two weeks.
Cleary ends City partner promotion drought by making up one in finance
One London lawyer has finally been made up at global firm Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, as the firm promotes eight this year. The firm’s US contingent has made up the rest of its global partnership round.
Continue reading “Cleary ends City partner promotion drought by making up one in finance”
Allen & Overy and DLA Piper chip in as US elite act on $47bn Qualcomm deal
Allen & Overy (A&O) and DLA Piper have won roles among US heavyweights as Qualcomm acquires Dutch firm NXP Semiconductors for $39bn. Continue reading “Allen & Overy and DLA Piper chip in as US elite act on $47bn Qualcomm deal”
Global London advances: US firms take key partners from A&O and CC
US firms continue their investment in the City, as two Magic Circle firms have today (28 October) lost partners to Dechert and Latham & Watkins. Continue reading “Global London advances: US firms take key partners from A&O and CC”
Tribunal rules against Uber as Leigh Day takes on DLA Piper in landmark employee rights case
Uber has said it will appeal after it lost a key tribunal case which saw Leigh Day take on DLA Piper in a landmark employment rights claim. Continue reading “Tribunal rules against Uber as Leigh Day takes on DLA Piper in landmark employee rights case”
Comment: The moment of truth arrives in the SJ Berwin saga
Even if you discount the more lurid claims made regarding King & Wood Mallesons, it is clear the firm is facing a huge challenge to get its Europe and Middle East business back on track. Continue reading “Comment: The moment of truth arrives in the SJ Berwin saga”
US partner promotions: Ropes & Gray promotes two in London in reduced global round
Two in the City have made the cut as Boston-based Ropes & Gray has promoted a modest 11 to partner in its 2016 round. The number of promotions in London match last year’s figures, but overall promotions are down 35% from 17.
Deutsche Bank litigation costs jump as bank reports small profit
Deutsche Bank has increased its litigation provisions from €5.5bn to €5.9bn for the third quarter of this year, while the German lender recorded an unexpected profit, beating analyst expectations. Continue reading “Deutsche Bank litigation costs jump as bank reports small profit”
KWM halts recapitalisation as four heavyweights announce exits
The beleaguered European arm of King & Wood Mallesons has been hit today (27 October) with yet another blow as it has emerged that four heavyweights are to quit its City office, including private equity partner and major biller Michael Halford, former managing partner Rob Day, as well as corporate finance partner Andrew Wingfield and Jonathan Pittal. Continue reading “KWM halts recapitalisation as four heavyweights announce exits”
Mishcon leader Gold to stand for final term as managing partner
Mishcon de Reya has kicked off the process for electing its managing partner, with current leader Kevin Gold indicating to the partnership he is willing to stand for the role for a final term. Continue reading “Mishcon leader Gold to stand for final term as managing partner”
‘A weaker moral compass’: Study reveals one in five law students would falsify time records
More than one in five law students surveyed in the UK and the US admit they would falsify time records for personal and business gain, according to the first cross-jurisdiction quantitative study of the ethics of law students published in the International Journal of the Legal Profession earlier this month. Continue reading “‘A weaker moral compass’: Study reveals one in five law students would falsify time records”
Willkie Farr takes top KWM biller to launch competition practice in the City
King and Wood Mallesons (KWM) has lost another heavy-hitter as competition partner Philipp Girardet exits the firm to set up Willkie Farr & Gallagher‘s London competition practice. Continue reading “Willkie Farr takes top KWM biller to launch competition practice in the City”