How much can an in-house lawyer affect the value proposition of an organisation?
That’s quite a big question. I would argue “a lot”. If we accept that premise, then we can move on to a far more interesting discussion: how?
Searching for value
The 5-minute financial analyst: financial markets
Debt and equity are the two options a company has when choosing how to finance itself. In debt financing, the business borrows money in some form without giving the lender any ownership rights in the company. The company issues bonds which can be bought and sold in the same way as shares. Unlike a share, which is equity in the business, a bond is essentially a loan with a fixed rate of interest.
Continue reading “The 5-minute financial analyst: financial markets”
Dinner with GC: London
Participants
Catherine McGregor, editor-in-chief, GC magazine
Orijit Das, European general counsel and vice president, Genpact
Sarah Davis, group commercial legal director, Guardian Media Group
Craig Stoehr, chief corporate officer and general counsel, Thomas Cook
David Webster, partner, RPC
Venue
Angler, South Place Hotel, London
The man who invented management
Businessweek gave Peter Drucker the moniker “the man who invented management”. He has long been considered one of the most influential management thinkers, and each year his namesake the Drucker Institute hosts a conference in Vienna that continues to attract the cream of business thinkers and leading CEOs. Legendary CEO Jack Welch of GE was highly influenced by Drucker’s work as were other major companies such as Ford, Dell and Toyota. Recently it has been suggested that many of the tech industry’s new generation of CEOs are also looking to Drucker’s thinking to inform their strategic direction. Mark Zuckerberg reportedly consulted many of Drucker’s principles in building Facebook from a start-up into the global brand it is today.
More than money
There’s an oft-quoted remark by Theodore Roosevelt saying, “Appraisals are where you get together with your team leader and agree what an outstanding member of the team you are, how much your contribution has been valued, what massive potential you have and, in recognition of all this, would you mind having your salary halved?”
Of ‘strategic importance’: Hogan Lovells launches in Australia with Allens partner duo
Hogan Lovells has this morning (31 March) announced that it will establish a presence in Australia with Allens partners Nicky Lester and Tim Lester spearheading the launch in Sydney and Perth respectively.
Boutiques: Radiant Law revenues double as it plans ‘aggressive’ growth
Technology and outsourcing boutique Radiant Law is making good on its ambitions to shake up traditionally conservative forms of providing legal services after revealing revenues of £3m for the 2013/14 financial year, doubling on the previous year, while chief executive Alex Hamilton has further plans to double lawyer headcount by 2017.
Continue reading “Boutiques: Radiant Law revenues double as it plans ‘aggressive’ growth”
Shunning the Bar: Former Olswang head of arbitration opts for JAMS International over chambers
One of a slew of arbitration lawyers over recent months to desert big law and the client conflicts that come with it, Olswang’s former head of arbitration Andrew Aglionby has decided that a move to the Bar would ‘throw up the same difficulties’ and has joined rent-an-arbitrator platform JAMS International.
In court: Baker & McKenzie prevails and wins costs in Symrise professional negligence case
Baker & McKenzie has succeeded in its £11.7m professional negligence dispute brought by German food flavourings maker Symrise and its Mexican subsidiary after a judgment passed down at the High Court today (31 March).
US revenues 2014: Kirkland’s partner profits top $3.5m as Squires reveals first post-merger results
US firm revenues continue to come through with Kirkland & Ellis posting a 6.6% increase in global revenues to $2.15bn in 2014, an increase from the previous year when turnover rose 4% to $2.02bn. Meanwhile, Squire Patton Boggs posted its first post-merger global revenues, coming in at $870.5m with $163m of this generated in the UK.
A ‘transformational opportunity’: Slater and Gordon signs £637m deal for Quindell’s professional services division
Australian law firm Slater and Gordon has signed a £637m deal for Quindell’s professional services division – a business which generated revenues of nearly £180m in just the first half of 2014.
Getting the High Court’s approval: Linklaters, Sullivan and Ropes advise on Towergate’s £1bn restructuring
Linklaters, Sullivan & Cromwell and Ropes & Gray have advised as Towergate secured approval from the High Court on its plan to restructure around £1bn worth of debt
Targeting South Korea: EY Law agrees new alliance as Asia-Pacific growth continues
EY Law continues to enhance its Asia-Pacific presence with an alliance deal with South Korean firm Apex Legal, in a bid to align its advisory and legal businesses throughout the region.
Significant departures: Trowers loses management duo to Baker Botts in Dubai
Baker Botts has bolstered its corporate and disputes practice in Dubai with the double-hire of Trowers & Hamlins’ head of UAE Abdullah Mutawi, alongside fellow partner and international disputes resolution chief Lucas Pitts.
Continue reading “Significant departures: Trowers loses management duo to Baker Botts in Dubai”
Partner promotions: Mishcon de Reya announces all-female partner round as firm appoints new chair
Mishcon de Reya has today (30 March) announced a three-strong all-female partner promotions round for this year, as well as appointing real estate partner Philip Freedman QC to succeed current chair John Jackson.
275,000 sqft: Clifford Chance and BLP advise on Deloitte lease with Land Securities
Clifford Chance (CC) and Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) have both landed a significant instruction on accountancy giant Deloitte’s major pre-let of the entire building of 1 New Street Square, in a deal that will see Deloitte acquire 275,000 square foot of space on a 20-year lease at the site.
Revolving doors: Hires in London and Asia plus a significant secondee
Last week was another busy week for hires both in private practice and in-house, with Bird & Bird investing in Australian IP, Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) appointing a financial services regulatory partner in London, and King & Spalding recruiting a Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) partner in Asia. In-house, Stephenson Harwood seconded a rail partner to head the legal team carrying out the UK’s HS2 project.
Continue reading “Revolving doors: Hires in London and Asia plus a significant secondee”
Dealwatch: Clifford Chance, Travers Smith, Debevoise and BLP advise on £1.2bn BCA sale
A quartet law firms including Clifford Chance (CC), Travers Smith, Debevoise & Plimpton and Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) have all secured instructions on the £1.2bn sale of BCA (formerly British Car Auction) to publicly listed investment vehicle, Haversham Holdings.
Trainee retention: CMS Cameron McKenna keeps on 62% of spring 2015 cohort while Pinsents manages 79%
CMS Cameron McKenna revealed what it described as an ‘uncharacteristically low’ trainee retention rate today (27 March), with only 61.5% of its 26-strong intake staying with the firm while Pinsent Masons secured 15 trainees but from a smaller round of 19.
Selling part of the Queen’s bank: Ashurst and Slaughters advise on RBS sale of Coutts International
Ashurst and Slaughter and May have won lead roles advising on the Royal Bank of Scotland’s (RBS) sale of its overseas private banking and wealth management business to Union Bancaire Privée (UBP).