US duo Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher and Weil, Gotshal & Manges have won key roles on the headline merger of Willis Group Holdings, one of the world’s oldest insurance broker, and human resources consultancy Towers Watson, for $18bn.
Bird & Bird loses £1.8m professional negligence case over planning report
Bird & Bird has lost a professional negligence dispute taken by former client and offshore company Orientfield Holdings at London’s High Court and been ordered to pay out £1.8m in damages plus interest.
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Shearman partners with three-office Saudi firm as it builds Middle East presence
While some law firms are consolidating their presence in the region, Shearman & Sterling has bolstered its presence in the Middle East through an affiliation with local Saudi Arabian firm Abdulaziz Alassaf & Partners.
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Orrick hires Hogan Lovells’ heads of energy and renewables as it continues City build-out
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe has continued with its European strategy revamp, building its energy team in London by hiring Hogan Lovells’ global co-head of energy and natural resources Matthew Williams and renewables co-head John Deacon.
Guest post: The Path to a High Achieving Culture – it turns out that money isn’t the driver
In a guest post, Aric Press, partner at the legal consultancy Bernero & Press and former editor-in-chief of The American Lawyer argues the path towards a high achieving culture in law firms turns out not to be money driven. It’s human nature, unleashed.
Revolving doors: Key City hires for Gibson Dunn and Bakers as Eversheds loses former planning head
Last week saw both international firms making strategic moves in the City and at a national level several key hires, with Gibson Dunn & Crutcher hiring from Kirkland & Ellis, Baker & McKenzie bolstering its tax offering with a recruit from EY, Howes Percival appointing a new head of planning from Eversheds and DWF turning in-house to build its national nuclear energy team.
Dechert re-elects leadership and picks corporate partner Nassau for chief executive in 2016
The partnership at Dechert have re-elected Andrew Levander chair for another four-year term, while chief executive Daniel O’Donnell has been given another year as corporate partner Henry Nassau is primed to take on the role when O’Donnell stands down in July 2016.
Dealwatch: A&O and Linklaters sweep roles on €25bn supermarket merger alongside US trio
The €25bn merger between international food retailers Delhaize Group and Royal Ahold has seen Allen & Overy (A&O) and Linklaters win roles advising the two sides alongside Cravath, Swaine & Moore, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett and Sullivan & Cromwell.
Hunting titans: A&O loses out to City firm Seddons in High Court Italian derivatives dispute
City firm Seddons has won a long running battle at the High Court for the Italian public authority Comune di Prato in a four-year dispute against Allen & Overy-client Dexia Crediop, an Italian investment bank, over six derivative contracts.
1,500 partners: Just three City lawyers make the grade in Bakers’ 83-strong promotions round
Baker & McKenzie has announced its 2015 promotions round with 83 lawyers making partner, 40% of whom are female, but with only three being made up in the City.
City moves: Kirkland hires Weil’s London tax chief Kandel as Jones Day boosts its project finance team with a lateral from Latham
It has been a busy couple of days for the City hire market, with leading London tax partner Jonathan Kandel departing Weil, Gotshal & Manges for Kirkland & Ellis while project finance partner Nick Collins is set to join Jones Day from Latham & Watkins.
Mishcon sees double digit revenue growth as UK turnover hits £110m
City firm Mishcon de Reya has enjoyed another year of robust UK revenue growth and recorded a rise of 13% to £110m from £97.8m, meeting its 2016 target a year ahead of schedule.
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City lawyers issue warning on ‘inconceivable’ SRA apprenticeship proposals
The City of London Law Society (CLLS) has issued a stark warning over what it deems ‘inconceivable’ changes in the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) proposal to allow lawyers to qualify through apprenticeships and has raised concerns that standards could fall if changes are carried out.
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Quindell suspends shares as financial watchdog launches probe into company accounts
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has confirmed it has launched an investigation into professional services company Quindell, looking at public statements made regarding the company’s 2013/14 financial accounts – covering the period it owned a raft of legal brands.
Withers re-elects ‘absolutely instrumental’ managing director Robertson for another three-year term
Private client-focused Withers has re-appointed its longstanding managing director Margaret Robertson (pictured) for another three-year term following an uncontested election last week.
Latham & Watkins looks at South Korea launch amid Asia strategy review
Having tackled New York and London, Latham & Watkins has tasked a group of partners to review its Asia strategy ahead of a push in the region.
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BSB considers QASA’s timing after Supreme Court dismisses long-running appeal
The controversial Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates (QASA) is set to go ahead after the Supreme Court dismissed an appeal against the scheme this morning (24 June) though the Bar Standards Board (BSB) has said it will need to consider the timing of its introduction given the delays caused by the legal challenge.
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Proskauer’s City hiring spree continues with DLA finance partner Griffith
Proskauer Rose’s rapidly expanding City office, which hired Baker & McKenzie’s private equity rainmaker Bruno Bertrand-Delfau last week, has bolstered its finance practice with DLA Piper’s leveraged finance and banking partner Alexander Griffith.
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Business as usual: Clydes posts 10% PEP rise as revenues close in on £400m
As has been the case since its merger with Barlow Lyde & Gilbert in 2011, Global 100 firm Clyde & Co has posted strong revenue and profit growth on the back of an expansive year. The firm has today (23 June) reported an 8% revenue increase for 2014/15 to £395m, while profit per equity partner has grown 10% from £599,000 last year to £660,000.
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White & Case’s City office wins first work from CVC as PE house leads on $2bn Alvogen acquisition
White & Case, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett and Slaughter and May have all won roles as CVC Capital Partners, Vatera Healthcare and Singaporean sovereign wealth fund Temasek teamed up to buy a controlling stake in pharmaceutical firm Alvogen.