My parents were professional ballroom dancers. My father managed the Arthur Murray studios on 5th Avenue. They met in the office and had a secret relationship. One day they got on the subway down to City Hall and got married on their lunch hour. Have you heard the saying: ‘The cobbler’s son goes shoeless?’ Well, the dancing instructor’s son went without dancing ability!
Perspectives: Mark Hastings
I always wanted to be a criminal barrister. I grew up watching Rumpole.
At university I read classics, did the conversion and worked out I didn’t want to be a barrister at all. They’re a different breed to me – I enjoy people and interaction. It was obvious to me it suited me better to be a solicitor.
Leader: A choppy disputes market and unease on the bench
Assessing the legal market for our third annual Disputes Yearbook there are many reasons for litigators to be bullish… and just as many to be uneasy.
Continue reading “Leader: A choppy disputes market and unease on the bench”
Judging the judges – identifying the stand-outs among the judiciary
The good, the bad and the ugly – we asked litigators to identify the judges that – for better or worse – stand out among the judiciary
The 2016 Legal Business judicial survey was not just focused on the overall strengths and weaknesses of the judiciary, it also asked respondents for their views on individual judges they have appeared before. There were some obvious favourites, and one outright villain (no prizes for guessing), and somewhere in between were several judges who impressed and disappointed in equal measure.
Continue reading “Judging the judges – identifying the stand-outs among the judiciary”
Rack and ruin – the 2016 judicial survey
Funding cuts are putting the judiciary’s status as a world leader under pressure. Canvassing the profession, we find deep concern over prospects for the English courts
Who wants to be a High Court judge? Fewer than ever it seems. This, unsurprisingly, is a major concern for the UK’s top litigators.
Commercial Dispute Resolution Survey: Fighting strong
As Legal Business publishes its third annual Disputes Yearbook, and the second annual survey sponsored by Cornerstone Research, we scope the views of in-house counsel and private practitioners to shine a light on trends within the international disputes market
Results from the annual trends report from Cornerstone Research indicate firstly that the appetite for large-scale commercial litigation has yet to abate in London and, furthermore, that London’s lawyers continue to be lauded as the dominant players of international disputes.
Continue reading “Commercial Dispute Resolution Survey: Fighting strong”
‘Milan is a natural candidate’: Italian IP lawyers target London patents court post Brexit
Italy’s intellectual property (IP) lawyers are eyeing up London’s branch of the Unified Patents Court (UPC) in the wake of EU referendum.
‘Thinking space’: Reed Smith to collaborate with clients with launch of new Innovation Hub
Reed Smith has made a concerted investment in the legal technology and innovation space with the launch today (4 October) of a dedicated ‘thinking space’, believed to be the first of its kind in London, after developing its own software to maximise efficiency in corporate deals.
SRA pushes ahead with super-exam proposals with second consultation
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is pushing on with its ‘super exam’ proposals, launching another consultation following mixed feedback on the education reforms. However it said yesterday (3 October) it would delay implementation another year as it develops its plans.
Continue reading “SRA pushes ahead with super-exam proposals with second consultation”
Magic Circle duo act on major post-Brexit IPO as ConvaTec lists
Linklaters and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer are advising medical products company ConvaTec on its anticipated $1.8bn initial public offering (IPO).
Continue reading “Magic Circle duo act on major post-Brexit IPO as ConvaTec lists”
Olswang exits continue amid merger talks as restructuring head quits for US firm
US firm McDermott Will & Emery has taken on Olswang‘s head of restructuring & insolvency Alicia Videon in the first exit from the firm since merger talks with CMS Cameron McKenna and Nabarro were revealed last week.
Continue reading “Olswang exits continue amid merger talks as restructuring head quits for US firm”
Former Mallesons chair takes out KWM European managing partner election
King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) announced today (4 October) that Tim Bednall was elected as EUME managing partner, defeating Gareth Amdor in a two-man race for the position.
Continue reading “Former Mallesons chair takes out KWM European managing partner election”
Unilever carries out ‘informal review’ as current panel expires
Consumer goods giant Unilever is currently carrying out an ‘informal review’ of its current panel firms, after the roster expired in June 2016.
Continue reading “Unilever carries out ‘informal review’ as current panel expires”
No surprises: Frontrunner Lee Ranson appointed chief executive of Eversheds
Lee Ranson has been appointed chief executive of Eversheds, following a three week period in which no other candidate was nominated.
Continue reading “No surprises: Frontrunner Lee Ranson appointed chief executive of Eversheds”
Bird & Bird strengthens disputes bench with Nokia litigation head
Bird & Bird has landed former Nokia litigation head Richard Vary as a partner in its intellectual property (IP) and tech & communications group.
Continue reading “Bird & Bird strengthens disputes bench with Nokia litigation head”
Partner promotions: Kirkland makes up six in London in subdued round
Kirkland & Ellis has made up six to partner in London in an 81 global partner promotion round. The US firm has made up two fewer in the City than last year, when it made up eight in London of a total of 90 promotions. Continue reading “Partner promotions: Kirkland makes up six in London in subdued round”
Shearman private equity head Mark Soundy to exit firm
Shearman & Sterling’s global private equity head Mark Soundy is to depart the firm after a three year stint.
Continue reading “Shearman private equity head Mark Soundy to exit firm”
Freshfields leads for longtime client Henderson Group on $6bn merger
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom have guided global asset manager Henderson Group and Denver-based global investment firm Janus Capital Group through its $6bn merger.
Continue reading “Freshfields leads for longtime client Henderson Group on $6bn merger”
‘Ready to hit the ground running’: former Ashurst PE player Lascelles joins Vinson & Elkins
Private equity specialist Shaun Lascelles, the former Ashurst Singapore head whose departure was announced last month, has joined Vinson & Elkins (V&E) in the City, it has been confirmed today (3 October).
South African sell-down: Slaughters leads as GSK exits Aspen Pharmacare
Slaughter and May, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton and Bowman Gilfillan advised GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) on the sale of its remaining 6.2% stake in Aspen Pharmacare, announced last week.
Continue reading “South African sell-down: Slaughters leads as GSK exits Aspen Pharmacare”