King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) has won a key argument over document disclosure in an ongoing £2m professional negligence claim against it taken by Commodities Research Unit International (CRUI) at London’s High Court.
Continue reading “KWM wins disclosure argument in £2m professional negligence battle”
Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) has posted a 17.5% dip in pay to its management committee as the firm’s turnover dipped for the 2014-15 financial year.
Continue reading “HSF management committee pay down 17.5% as revenues drop”
The high-profile professional negligence dispute taken against Mishcon de Reya by former Queens Park Rangers chairman Antonio Caliendo has been dismissed by London’s High Court.
CASES AGAINST LAW FIRMS DOWN
Figures collated by RPC suggest the post-financial crisis wave of professional negligence claims against law firms has passed. High Court cases against firms were down 47% last year. While the number of cases spiked by 192% to 418 for the year 2013-14, the number of actions against solicitors for the 12 months to 30 June 2015 is lower at 221.
Several London-headquartered law firms, including the entire Magic Circle, have won places on JPMorgan Chase’s panel for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) following a review.
Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) is hunting for an ambitious union with a major US practice, with the City real estate leader currently in discussions with Greenberg Traurig. According to three separate sources, the talks between BLP and Greenberg have been taking place over the past three months as the London firm looks to secure a US merger.
BP has instructed Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) to defend it against claims the oil major’s security precautions at an Algerian gas plant were flawed at the time of a terrorist attack in 2013 that killed 40 people.
Continue reading “BP turns to Herbert Smith as claims over Algeria terrorist attack mount”
City lawyers are warning an agreement made between the EU and the US yesterday (3 February) replacing the Safe Harbour scheme is likely to be challenged in court.
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, Davis Polk & Wardwell, and Swiss firm Bär & Karrer have landed key advisory roles on China National Chemical Corp’s (ChemChina’s) $43bn bid for Swiss seeds and pesticides group Syngenta, in what will be the largest ever acquisition by a Chinese firm.
Private client partner Andrew Vergunst (pictured) is to become the head of McDermott Will & Emery‘s London office, replacing corporate lawyer Hugh Nineham when he retires at the end of March.
Continue reading “‘The next phase’: McDermott Will & Emery names successor to London head Nineham”
CMS Cameron McKenna‘s incoming managing partner Stephen Millar (pictured) has outlined his key priorities as the firm’s next UK chief, a plan which will focus both domestic and international strategic expansion. Millar’s plans for global development come as CMS Hasche Sigle has launched a new office in Iran, the making it the first international firm to do so.
Calls by Lord Justice Jackson to introduce fixed costs for civil claims worth up to £250,000 have been majorly condemned by the legal profession.
DLA Piper International partners have approved an overhaul of its pay structure, introducing a points-based remuneration system and a larger bonus pot as it targets greater profitability, while bringing in a separate lockstep for new partners while they grow their practices.
Having announced it will open a new office in Houston, 13 partners have joined US firm Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, including McDermott Will & Emery‘s global head of energy Blake Winburne, and DLA Piper‘s co-chair of global and US patent litigation Claudia Frost.
Continue reading “McDermott and DLA Piper partners join Orrick for Houston launch”
White & Case is set to hire Linklaters‘ big-billing Hong Kong partner Christopher Kelly as its Asia head of corporate as develops its practice in the region.
Continue reading “White & Case to hire Linklaters big-biller Kelly to lead Asia push”
Welsh firm Capital Law has launched a £50m commercial litigation funding service, marking the first time a UK law firm has established its own disputes funding pot.
Continue reading “Cutting out the middle man: Capital Law opens £50m litigation fund”
Several firms have made noteworthy strategic appointments in the past week, with Nabarro, Pinsent Masons and Hogan Lovells all adding to their benches.
Continue reading “Revolving doors: Nabarro, Pinsents and Hogan Lovells make key hires”
The partnership at CMS Cameron McKenna has elected energy partner Stephen Millar (pictured) to succeed longstanding chief Duncan Weston.
Continue reading “CMS Cameron McKenna elects Millar as new managing partner”
DLA Piper has agreed a combination with 30-lawyer Finnish law firm Peltonen LMR as it expands its Nordic footprint.
Continue reading “DLA Piper expands Nordic footprint with Finnish tie-up”
Clyde & Co litigator Paul Friedman (pictured) has left the firm after more than 12 years to join US firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan as its expands its Israel practice.
