Jonathan Scott, who began a five-year term as senior partner at Herbert Smith Freehills in May 2010, will step down early, sparking a four-man race for one of the most powerful roles at the firm.
ABS latest: Kennedys wins licence to maintain non-lawyer partners
Insurance specialist Kennedys has received approval from the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) to become an alternative business structure (ABS). The new status will allow the firm to retain four non-lawyers as partners. The new status took effect on 1 November.
Continue reading “ABS latest: Kennedys wins licence to maintain non-lawyer partners”
Guest post: Excalibur sends chill wind… (again)
The latest instalment in the Excalibur case is interesting for many reasons. One is Lord Justice Clarke’s claim that making litigation funders pay costs on an indemnity basis when costs are awarded against the party they are funding on an indemnity basis is not likely to chill access to justice.
Continue reading “Guest post: Excalibur sends chill wind… (again)”
‘We don’t try and be all things to all people’: Vinson & Elkins London head talks staying focused
Vinson & Elkins London managing partner Alexander Msimang talks to Legal Business about how the firm has opted not to invest outside of its core sectors and geographic locations.
Ashurst Australia head steps down while HSF picks up Ashurst corporate duo in Asia
Ashurst’s John Carrington, who helped handle the integration of Blake Dawson, has retired as Australian managing partner with no successor, as Herbert Smith Freehills bulks up in Asia with two corporate hires from the firm.
The Friday edit: choosing panels, choosing leaders and choosing to stick with the lockstep
Happy Halloween – if you’re into that sort of thing. For those who are not nine years-old, here’s our weekly review of the stories that may have scared some and thrilled others. For subscriber content, click here for full access to Legal Business.
‘We won’t break lockstep, we see it as a strength’: Clifford Chance US chiefs talk growing revenues and love of the lockstep
As fellow Magic Circle firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer targets the US market, Clifford Chance’s US leadership is seeking to upscale its offering in the Americas, and are actively looking to recruit fresh talent across all levels, from associate to partner. But, such growth, explains Americas managing partner Evan Cohen and Washington DC managing partner David DiBari, will be achieved without breaking away from the firm’s traditional remuneration system.
‘Cooperating fully’: Freshfields advises Tesco on SFO criminal investigation
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is set to advise Tesco on the formal criminal investigation by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) after leading the investigation into the retailer’s profit warning alongside accountancy giant Deloitte.
Continue reading “‘Cooperating fully’: Freshfields advises Tesco on SFO criminal investigation”
Not a ‘secret cartel’: Linklaters and Milbank secure victory for Visa against major retailers
Linklaters and Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy have secured a judgment in favour of Visa after 12 major UK retailers, led by the Arcadia Group, sought damages in relation to Visa’s setting of interchange rates.
Dealwatch: Baker & McKenzie and Norton Rose Fulbright lead on Battersea Power Station £1.4bn real estate financing
In what constitutes one of the biggest UK real estate financings in recent years, Battersea Power Station has raised £1.4bn from a syndicate of Asian and Middle Eastern banks with Baker & McKenzie and Norton Rose Fulbright landing key advisory roles.
Guest post: If your anti-bribery policy is more than three pages, it probably won’t work
Three years ago Bribery Inc. went mad. Every law firm, accounting firm and uncle Tom Cobley and all got into the anti-bribery business. Many detailed anti-bribery policies were sold, placed on corporate intranets and training given.
Elections: Taylor Wessing re-appoints senior partner
Taylor Wessing has re-appointed its senior partner Adam Marks for a second term following an uncontested election.
Continue reading “Elections: Taylor Wessing re-appoints senior partner”
Retirement terms: Former partners win exemption from Halliwells liquidator
Steven Fennell, a former Halliwells partner, has won a High Court declaration that stops Halliwells’ liquidators’ claim of £125,000 against him for alleged overdrawings.
Continue reading “Retirement terms: Former partners win exemption from Halliwells liquidator”
‘There is much still to accomplish’: Norton Rose Fulbright re-elects Peter Martyr for fifth term as chief executive
Norton Rose Fulbright has re-elected Peter Martyr as global chief executive for a further three years, an appointment that will constitute the leader’s fifth term in the top role. The firm has, however, appointed Martin Scott, the firm’s global corporate head, M&A securities, to succeed Martyr as managing partner of Norton Rose Fulbright LLP.
‘Enhancing the role of the panel’: GDF Suez set to launch major panel review
The world’s second largest energy utility GDF Suez, which generated €39.4bn in the first six months of this year, is reviewing its procurement of legal services ahead of a major panel review set for the start of the New Year.
Continue reading “‘Enhancing the role of the panel’: GDF Suez set to launch major panel review”
Seeking new opportunities: Olswang’s former CEO Stewart resigns
After unexpectedly stepping down from his management role, former Olswang chief executive David Stewart has officially resigned from the firm, and is currently seeking new opportunities.
Continue reading “Seeking new opportunities: Olswang’s former CEO Stewart resigns”
House of Lords votes against Grayling over judicial review restrictions following warnings from the profession
Justice secretary Chris Grayling has been defeated in the House of Lords over plans to limit the ability of individuals and organisations to challenge public decisions in the courts, just days after the legal profession claimed it would have a ‘chilling effect’ on those seeking justice.
A ‘massive’ difference in value: Sotheby’s picks Freshfields to defend it against Caravaggio claim
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer litigator Paul Lomas is leading Sotheby’s defence against a professional negligence claim after the auction house sold a painting in London for £42,000 that is now claimed to be by baroque master Caravaggio and worth over £11m.
Bakers takes three partners from DLA as it merges in Mexico while Clydes hires three to launch in Brisbane
Baker & McKenzie has hired three partners from DLA Piper’s Mexico City office as the latter combines with a local outfit to extend its offering, meanwhile Clyde & Co has launched in Brisbane after taking three partners from Sparke Helmore.
Revolving Doors: Linklaters makes a strategic hire in Europe, Hunton & Williams expands in the City while the LSB appoints a new chief
Last week saw Linklaters make a key hire from DLA Piper in Frankfurt as it sought to expand its cross-border litigation offering, Bird & Bird increase its offering in Sweden while Hunton & Williams did the same in the City developing its energy and natural resources team. Also in the UK, the Legal Services Board (LSB) appointed a new head, Richard Moriarty.