EY today (29 April) took further steps to build its UK legal capability with the hire of Berwin Leighton Paisner’s (BLP’s) former head of finance Matthew Kellett, with Kellett set to spearhead the accounting giant’s financial services legal work. Continue reading “EY grows UK legal capability with hire of BLP’s former finance head Matthew Kellett”
Partner promotions: Irwin Mitchell makes up 10 with 50% female ratio
Irwin Mitchell has promoted ten associates to its partnership, down on a record level of 13 last year but standing out among its peers for including an equal number of male and female lawyers. Continue reading “Partner promotions: Irwin Mitchell makes up 10 with 50% female ratio”
TLT reappoints David Pester as managing partner for fifth term
TLT’s managing partner David Pester has been reappointed for a fifth three-year term following an uncontested election process, the firm announced today (28 April). Continue reading “TLT reappoints David Pester as managing partner for fifth term”
Heading to The Ivy: Legal Business and RPC team up for GC Power List Summer Reception
We’ve made it no secret that a major aim for Legal Business and its Legalease stable-mates is to better engage with the general counsel community. As such we’re taking another step in that direction with the launch of an exclusive debate and networking event in June building on the success of our acclaimed Power List Report. Continue reading “Heading to The Ivy: Legal Business and RPC team up for GC Power List Summer Reception”
Davenport Lyons goes into administration as Gordon Dadds takes on clients, assets and partners
After a series of failed merger talks Davenport Lyons has gone into administration, with Mayfair firm Gordon Dadds confirming today (28 April) that it has taken on the client database, the majority of assets and secured nearly all of the partners. Continue reading “Davenport Lyons goes into administration as Gordon Dadds takes on clients, assets and partners”
Ashurst loses further City corporate partner as Jonathan Earle joins Gibson Dunn
Jonathan Earle has become the latest Ashurst corporate partner to quit the top 20 firm, leaving after 16 years to join US firm Gibson Dunn & Crutcher’s City corporate practice. Continue reading “Ashurst loses further City corporate partner as Jonathan Earle joins Gibson Dunn”
In-house: Nationwide replaces GC Kelly with HSBC’s European legal head
Nationwide Building Society has appointed HSBC’s European legal chief Keith Ford to replace group general counsel Liz Kelly, who announced last autumn that she is leaving to spend more time with her family and pursue outside interests.
Continue reading “In-house: Nationwide replaces GC Kelly with HSBC’s European legal head”
Skadden, Freshfields and Davis Polk take the lead as blockbuster Pfizer/AstraZeneca deal gears up again
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Davis Polk & Wardwell have all landed lead roles advising Pfizer and AstraZeneca as talks over a potential $100bn merger resurface.
Clifford Chance and Freshfields advise on Bridgepoint’s sale of German chemicals company to Permira
Magic Circle firms Clifford Chance (CC) and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer have taken the lead on the latest big corporate transaction to come out of Germany, the sale of speciality chemicals and manufacturing company CABB International to private equity firm Permira Advisers, providing an exit for Bridgepoint Capital, with the asset reported in the financial press to be valued in excess of $1bn. Continue reading “Clifford Chance and Freshfields advise on Bridgepoint’s sale of German chemicals company to Permira”
Latham recruitment spree continues with key arbitration and private equity hires
It’s been another week and another set of significant acquisitions for Latham & Watkins, with the global elite firm announcing a significant arbitration lateral hire and a key industry appointment to its London private equity practice.
Continue reading “Latham recruitment spree continues with key arbitration and private equity hires”
Guest post: Paralysed by uncertainty? Snap out of it
‘Never before has our future seemed so shrouded in fog and noise,’ I’ve written, and discussed its paralytic effects on our decision-making. Comes now academic vindication of just how strong the effect is. Continue reading “Guest post: Paralysed by uncertainty? Snap out of it”
Transatlantic Weil and Milbank teams advise on circa €2bn Flint acquisition; A&O launches Primark in the US
Weil, Gotshal & Manges London, German and New York banking teams have advised the lenders on Goldman Sachs and Koch Industries’ acquisition of Flint Group from CVC Capital Partners for a purchase price reported to be more than Flint’s 2013 revenue of €2.2bn, as a transatlantic Allen & Overy (A&O) team assisted Primark on its launch into the US. Continue reading “Transatlantic Weil and Milbank teams advise on circa €2bn Flint acquisition; A&O launches Primark in the US”
Partner promotions: even split across Australia and London as HSF promotes 23
Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) today announced that it has promoted 23 of its lawyers to the firm’s partnership. The promotions will take effect on 1 May, the same day that Mark Rigotti and Sonya Leydecker take over as co- chief executive officers of the firm.
Continue reading “Partner promotions: even split across Australia and London as HSF promotes 23”
First post-merger partnership round for Ashurst sees 15 promoted
Ashurst has announced its first partner promotions since its merger with Blake Dawson went live in October last year, with 15 lawyers joining its partnership ranks, up from a pre-merger figure of twelve. Continue reading “First post-merger partnership round for Ashurst sees 15 promoted”
Sliding doors: Norton Rose Fulbright exits Prague; Kirkland launches in Houston
In the same week as Kirkland & Ellis announced it is opening in Houston, top 10 LB100 firm Norton Rose Fulbright (NRF) has confirmed it is withdrawing from the Prague market, closing its local office due to ‘difficult market’ conditions with effect from 1 May. Continue reading “Sliding doors: Norton Rose Fulbright exits Prague; Kirkland launches in Houston”
Law Society lines up TLT’s senior partner to take over as president
The Law Society has today (24 April) announced that TLT Solicitors senior partner Robert Bourns has been elected as the body’s deputy vice president, with the expectation that he will become president in 2016. Continue reading “Law Society lines up TLT’s senior partner to take over as president”
Partner promotions: Clifford Chance promotes seven in City as part of 21-strong round
Clifford Chance (CC) is the latest Magic Circle firm to unveil its partner promotion figures, making up seven associates in London out of a 21-strong round. Continue reading “Partner promotions: Clifford Chance promotes seven in City as part of 21-strong round”
Senior Clyde & Co ship finance partner Matt Hannaford joins Curtis Davis Garrard with team of three
Senior maritime player Matt Hannaford is leaving Clyde & Co’s transportation finance group with a team of three to join specialist shipping boutique Curtis Davis Garrard (CDG). Continue reading “Senior Clyde & Co ship finance partner Matt Hannaford joins Curtis Davis Garrard with team of three”
First post-merger promotion round sees Norton Rose Fulbright make up 46
Norton Rose Fulbright has announced its first global partner promotions since the merger of Norton Rose and leading Houston energy firm Fulbright & Jaworski took effect in June 2013. A total of 46 partners are being made up, including eight promotions to the South African equivalent role of director. Continue reading “First post-merger promotion round sees Norton Rose Fulbright make up 46”
GC appointments for EY, HarperCollins and BNY Mellon
A trio of high-profile in-house counsel appointments in the UK and US this month has seen accountancy giant EY and global investment bank BNY Mellon fill their senior general counsel (GC) roles as publishing house HarperCollins promotes its director of legal affairs Simon Dowson-Collins to UK GC. Continue reading “GC appointments for EY, HarperCollins and BNY Mellon”