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.
A $5.7bn settlement: Bank quintet admit market manipulation guilt
The US Department of Justice (DoJ) yesterday afternoon announced that five major banks have made a collective settlement of $5.7bn (£3.6bn) to bring a close to investigations which have seen a raft of firms pick-up work including Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher and Clifford Chance.
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Guest post: HMRC – Taking stock and keeping public confidence
Back in February Labour announced that it would, if it took power, begin an ‘immediate and independent review into the culture and practices of HMRC with regard to tax avoidance.’ This politicisation of the question whether HMRC retained public confidence diffused the logic of the demand.
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Launching in Luxembourg: Bird & Bird targets Unified Patent Court work with new office
Bird & Bird has made an application to open in Luxembourg as it targets work heading to the new European Unified Patent Court (UPC).
‘A city of significant interest’: Reed Smith launches in Frankfurt with raid on US rivals
Nearly a year in planning, Reed Smith has opened its second German office with seven partners arriving from Mayer Brown; Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe; Willkie Farr & Gallagher and Jones Day to launch the firm in Frankfurt.
Moving to Manchester: Freshfields signs lease on Arndale House and appoints centre director
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has appointed Anup Kollanethu as centre director for its combined legal and business services centre in Manchester having signed a lease for space in Arndale House.
Strike action: Network Rail turns to Eversheds for legal challenge over rail workers’ looming walkout
Eversheds has been instructed by Network Rail on its legal challenge to the TSSA union in an attempt to limit disruption should talks regarding a planned rail strike this bank holiday weekend fail.