Steven Vaughan and Claire Coe have conducted a study of senior commercial lawyers for – but independent of – the Solicitors Regulation Authority. The study concentrated on ‘high impact’ [i.e. high risk in SRA terms] commercial firms working.
Herbert Smith Freehills launches first African office with Johannesburg opening
Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) has become the latest firm to launch in Africa with a four-partner office opening in Johannesburg.
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Dewey & LeBoeuf case could go to a retrial after jury fails to reach verdict
While acting Supreme Court Justice Robert Stolz has declared the criminal proceedings against the former executives of now defunct firm Dewey & LeBoeuf a mistrial after three weeks of jury deliberations, the case may now be headed for a retrial.
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Slater & Gordon to put non-exec director pay rise to vote at AGM
Australian listed firm Slater & Gordon will ask shareholders to vote on a pay increase for its four non-executive directors at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) next month.
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Linklaters cashes in on Chinese bond sales with central bank’s international debut
The capital markets team at Magic Circle firm Linklaters has secured four bond issue mandates from Chinese banks as China’s president, Xi Jinping, makes his first state visit to the UK.
Guest post: introducing The Legal 500 Client Intelligence Report
The world’s largest legal market survey is now live. Following months of data collection, research, interviewing and analysis, the Client Intelligence team is proud to present the most detailed ever review of the global market for legal services.
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Guest post: Selling the bill – a method to help lawyers get rid of write-offs
A few years ago the managing partner of a mid-sized London firm said to me ‘The most important role a partner has is to sell the bill to the client.’
He went on to say that most of his firm’s write-offs were due to partners doing good work for a client without the client being convinced that the work should have been done.
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Allen & Overy and Ashurst team up for Softcat listing
In another busy week for initial public offerings (IPO), Allen & Overy (A&O) and Ashurst have won key roles on the prospective IPO of UK IT infrastructure provider Softcat.
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Clifford Chance acts for UEFA head Platini in Blatter payment dispute
Clifford Chance Paris-based litigation partner Thibaud d’Alès is acting for FIFA presidential hopeful and current head of UEFA Michel Platini in a dispute over a payment Platini received from FIFA president Sepp Blatter in 2011.
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King & Spalding’s London revenues up 16% as legal headcount lifted by 40%
Revenue at the London branch of US firm King & Spalding (K&S) surged 16% to £27.2m in 2014 as the firm rapidly expanded its legal team.
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Revolving Doors: Pinsent Masons, Dentons and Mishcon make key appointments
Pinsent Masons, Dentons, Mishcon de Reya, and Crowell & Moring are among a raft of firms which have made key appointments in past weeks.
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Dechert hires insolvency partner Fleming from DLA Piper
US firm Dechert frequently turns to DLA Piper for its City hires and has done so again, recruiting insolvency partner Paul Fleming.
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A royal departure: Crown Estate general counsel Vivienne King to leave amid business restructure
The Crown Estate’s high profile general counsel and director of business operations, Vivienne King is leaving as the company undergoes a restructure of the business which will create three new executive roles.
On the move: Ince & Co cuts costs by downsizing office space
Ince & Co has signed a new 17 year office lease and will reduce costs by moving into a smaller office in Algate Tower at the end of March 2016.
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Guest post: Fraud unravels all: the Supreme Court divorce judgments in Sharland and Gohil
The Supreme Court has given two judgments – Sharland v Sharland, and Gohil v Gohil – about re-opening divorce settlements on the grounds of fraud. Sharland lays down a new test in cases involving fraud, which should mean more settlements are reopened in future.
Slaughter and May wipes £600m from cartel claim against British Airways
Three months after forcing High Court judge Mr Justice Peter Smith to recuse himself from deciding on a £1bn claim against British Airways (BA) over a rant about his luggage, Slaughter and May has had Smith J’s refusal to strike-out about £600m from the claim overruled.
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Brown Rudnick hires King & Wood European employment head amid high profile departures
US firm Brown Rudnick has hired King & Wood Mallesons’ (KWM) former head of employment Nicola Kerr as the Hong Kong legal firm clears its decks after a partnership review in Europe and the Middle East.
Orrick takes Weil Gotshal partner to lead M&A team in Munich
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe has appointed former Weil, Gotshal & Manges partner Thomas Schmid to serve as head of German M&A and private equity.
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Supreme Court rules in favour of wives in hidden wealth divorce case
The UK’s top court has ruled in favour of two wives whose husbands hid the extent of their wealth when settling their divorces, setting a precedent which the wives’ lawyer says will lead to a rise in challenges in divorce settlements.
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In-house: Dimitrief named next GE general counsel as Denniston retires
As Brackett Denniston stands down after 12 years as general counsel (GC) for US conglomerate GE, the GC of GE Capital Alex Dimitrief has been promoted to the top position.
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