Norton Rose Fulbright coup as FTSE company consolidates legal work with global adviser

It may not be the name most associated with sole adviser mandates in the legal industry but Norton Rose Fulbright (NRF) has still scored a notable win. The global law firm has confirmed this week that it has secured a position as global legal counsel to engineering company IMI following an overhaul of its use of external counsel. Continue reading “Norton Rose Fulbright coup as FTSE company consolidates legal work with global adviser”

Stake your claim – Shakespeares and SGH Martineau confirm talks to create £75m national player as consolidation drive continues

The push among regional players to consolidate continues with news today (2 March) of one of the most notable deals seen outside the City in recent years; Midlands players Shakespeares and SGH Martineau have confirmed they are in talks to merge in a deal that would create a top 50 UK law firm with combined revenues of over £75m.

Continue reading “Stake your claim – Shakespeares and SGH Martineau confirm talks to create £75m national player as consolidation drive continues”

Guest post: Can Big Firms Innovate – and if so how?

‘Innovation’ seems to be on everyone’s lips these days. Among other things, the problems are: many people, lawyers in particular, are stumped when it comes to describing what ‘innovation’ actually is and business history proves to a fare-thee-well that it’s extremely challenging for successful incumbents to actually follow through with anything innovative.

Continue reading “Guest post: Can Big Firms Innovate – and if so how?”

US results: Shearman sees solid City growth but US stalls after rebound year; Gibson surpasses $3m PEP

Following a rollercoaster ride over the past few years, Shearman & Sterling has unveiled financial results showing moderate but steady growth in 2014 as profit per equity partner (PEP) rose 5.8% on 3% turnover growth. Meanwhile, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher had its 19th year of consecutive revenue increases with a 6% lift to $1.47bn.

Continue reading “US results: Shearman sees solid City growth but US stalls after rebound year; Gibson surpasses $3m PEP”

A $4bn fund in Asia: Debevoise & Plimpton advises Baring Private Equity Asia on weighty fund raise

The Hong Kong office of Debevoise & Plimpton has secured a heavyweight instruction advising Baring Private Equity Asia on the formation of Fund VI, a $4bn fund believed to be the largest private equity fund ever raised by an Asia-based manager and one of the largest targeting the region. Offshore firm Maples and Calder also provided Cayman Islands counsel on the deal.

Continue reading “A $4bn fund in Asia: Debevoise & Plimpton advises Baring Private Equity Asia on weighty fund raise”

Q&A: New IBA president Rivkin talks protecting legal privilege and tackling judicial corruption

Debevoise & Plimpton co-head of arbitration David Rivkin has set himself up for a busy two years as the president of the International Bar Association (IBA), the largest legal network in the world with more than 40,000 members, as he seeks to win climate change sufferers refugee status, dent judicial corruption and protect legal independence from government hacking. Rivkin talks to Tom Moore on his plans for the body.

Continue reading “Q&A: New IBA president Rivkin talks protecting legal privilege and tackling judicial corruption”