Slaughter and May teamed up with a Baker & McKenzie team led out of London to help US data giant Equinix in its £2.35bn takeover bid for UK rival and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer client Telecity.
Significant mandates: JTI turns to Freshfields in latest tobacco challenge to plain cigarette packaging
The latest firm to win work challenging the UK government’s decision to introduce plain cigarette packaging, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer’s Tom Snelling has launched High Court litigation on behalf of Japan Tobacco International, the maker of Camel, Benson & Hedges and Silk Cut.
WLG’s Poole changes retirement plans to take on international head role
As Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co continues its post-merger integration, stalwart Quentin Poole (pictured) has taken on a new role as the firm’s international head in a bid to strengthen its overseas offering.
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KWM suffers another corporate exit in the City as Woollard leaves for Paul Hastings
Duncan Woollard has become the latest private equity partner to leave King & Wood Mallesons, heading for Paul Hastings to spearhead its private funds practice in the City.
Another management departure at Olswang as GC Callander leaves to take on new role at Addleshaws
Addleshaw Goddard has hired Olswang’s general counsel (GC) and partnership secretary Simon Callander as it expands its partnership secretary role, left vacant by Peter Smith last year, to include GC responsibilities.
95p to own a share of Gateley: Firm targets 8 June for admission onto AIM
Gateley has set 8 June as its expected admission date onto the AIM listing, giving it little over a week left to garner interest in what will be the first UK law firm to carry out an initial public offering (IPO).
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Hogan Lovells expands Frankfurt office with senior Skadden PE partner Jaletzke and lawyer duo
Hogan Lovells has bolstered its German operations with senior corporate partner Matthias Jaletzke, who counts Apax Partners among his clients, joining the firm from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom alongside two other lawyers.
After two year investigation, the trial of Dewey’s senior management kicks off with contest over the cause of the firm’s collapse
The long-awaited trial against three former Dewey & LeBoeuf executives, which will in part probe the causes behind the largest law firm collapse in legal history, started yesterday (26 May) concerning allegations the trio committed criminal fraud and altered accounts in a bid to prevent the firm’s demise.
Dealwatch: US firms line up on the $55bn takeover of Time Warner Cable
In one of the largest M&A deals so far this year, US law firms continued to show their dominance of their home market with six securing roles on the $55bn takeover of Time Warner Cable by Charter Communications.
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Rise of the funds: Former Barclays EMEA GC Handling takes role at BlackRock
Erica Handling, the former EMEA investment bank general counsel (GC) for Barclays, has swapped the bank for a similar role at funds manager BlackRock in a move mirroring the market shift to a more prominent role for asset management companies.
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Shearman maintains NQ salary gap with Magic Circle as pay rises 6% to £88,000 while trainees get 15% boost
The first US firm to release its London salaries for the new financial year, Shearman & Sterling has maintained the salary gap it holds over Magic Circle rivals, offering newly-qualified lawyers (NQs) £88,000 a year, £5,000 more than in 2014.
Guest post: Warning signs – Who’s to blame when commoditised legal services go wrong?
The recent Court of Appeal decision in Proctor v Raleys [2015] EWCA Civ 400 raises the interesting question as to whether commoditisation of legal services, which may lead to cheaper more accessible justice for consumers, should be held to the same professional standards as lawyers providing services in a more traditional manner.
Déjà vu: Fried Frank hires Kirkland’s Mifsud alongside partner duo to build funds practice
After having led a trio of partners to Kirkland & Ellis from SJ Berwin in 2007 and helping build its funds practice, Mark Mifsud is looking to repeat the trick leaving for Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson with two fellow funds partners as the US firm builds its presence in the City.
The Queen’s Speech: What it holds for lawyers – devolution, referendum and the Snoopers’ Charter
While the replacement of the Human Rights Act with a British Bill of Rights was delayed, the Queen’s Speech today (27 May) laid out the new Conservative government plans for the next year including transferring tax and spending powers to Scotland, plans for an in-out EU referendum and the resurrection of the Snoopers’ Charter after being mothballed by the Liberal Democrats in 2012 during coalition.
Asia: KWM relocates partner trio to launch in Singapore as Quinn opens in Shanghai
Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan has hired Kirkland & Ellis partner Samuel Williamson as it looks to launch an office in Shanghai targeting Chinese enforcement work while King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) also expanded in the region, officially opening in Singapore.
Weightmans’ growth slows but still manages 2.5% revenue increase to £89.2m
National firm Weightmans today (26 May) announced a modest revenue increase of 2.5% for the 2014/15 financial year to £89.2m from £87m, demonstrating a slowing growth rate compared to last year.
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Revolving doors: Simmons welcomes back a partner from Cadwalader as Nabarro hires from McGuire Woods
Last week saw a range of firms bolstering key practices areas with a capital markets partner returning to Simmons & Simmons, Nabarro building its disputes resolution group, Jones Day hiring a team in The Netherlands while Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) made a significant appointment.
Linklaters reveals NQ salaries of £68,500 – under Slaughters but tops it with 3 year PQE band
Linklaters has revealed its salary bands for junior lawyers in London with newly-qualifieds (NQs) receiving a £3,500 pay bump to £68,500 while those with three year post-qualified experience (PQE) had a 5% increase to £98,500.
Shakespeares and SGH Martineau confirm merger for 15 June – set to create new £75m national player
Creating Shakespeare Martineau, Midland firms Shakespeares and SGH Martineau have confirmed they will merge on 15 June with Andy Raynor (pictured, right) acting as chief executive.
EY’s legal march continues with former Addleshaws managing partner Devitt and corporate specialist Thomas
Just over a year after Paul Devitt stood down early as managing partner of Addleshaw Goddard, he is due to leave the firm along with fellow corporate partner Richard Thomas for big four accountancy firm EY.