Setting aside the notoriously difficult post-merger politics of selecting one partner to run a core practice area, Herbert Smith Freehills today (15 April) announced that former Freehills joint global head of corporate Mike Ferraro will take over as sole head. Continue reading “Herbert Smith Freehills shakes off post-merger politics in favour of sole global corporate head as Ferraro takes over”
Revolving doors: Senior ex-Unilever and Amex lawyers move to private practice as McDermott boosts Paris office
Some of the most high-profile strategic hires recently have seen former in-house counsel move to private practice, all following the news last week that Weil, Gotshal & Manges is bringing Goldman Sachs’ European head and co-head of restructuring Andrew Wilkinson back to a law firm.
Partner promotions: Bird & Bird maintains a steady 11
Bird & Bird has maintained steady partnership promotion levels for a third consecutive year with 11 associates made up to partner, a figure that represents just over 4% of the top 20 firm’s current partnership numbers. Continue reading “Partner promotions: Bird & Bird maintains a steady 11”
Hogan Lovells gives voice to partners under 45 with new board level role
Hogan Lovells has taken a clear step towards giving its younger partners a high level representative voice with the announcement today (14 April) that it has created a position on the 12-strong board for an equity partner age 45 and under. Continue reading “Hogan Lovells gives voice to partners under 45 with new board level role”
Camerons’ fixed-share partners to contribute up to £50k in response to HMRC shake-up
CMS Cameron McKenna has become the latest firm to call upon its fixed-share partners to make a substantial contribution of capital in light of HM Revenue & Customs’ (HMRC) recent overhaul of the way partnerships are taxed. Continue reading “Camerons’ fixed-share partners to contribute up to £50k in response to HMRC shake-up”
Legal Services Board appoints BT general counsel and Ofcom competition director as members
Just weeks after bringing in a former chief executive of Cheshire and Kent County Councils, Sir Michael Pitt, to succeed David Edmonds CBE as chairman, the Legal Services Board has announced the appointment of David Eveleigh, general counsel to BT’s global services division, and Marina Gibbs, a director of competition policy at watchdog Ofcom, as non-executive board members of the regulatory body. Continue reading “Legal Services Board appoints BT general counsel and Ofcom competition director as members”
TMT exits continue at Field Fisher as two more partners sign off
Field Fisher Waterhouse‘s TMT practice has taken another hit as technology and outsourcing specialist Stewart Room is leaving for PwC, while head of trade marks Mark Holah is set to join Bird & Bird.
Continue reading “TMT exits continue at Field Fisher as two more partners sign off”
‘There’s no-one of the scale to rival us’ – HSF’s new litigation head talks strategy
Justin D’Agostino has taken over as global head of dispute resolution at commercial litigation heavyweight Herbert Smith Freehills. Here the Asia-based lawyer talks to Legal Business about joining the dots of an expanding practice. Continue reading “‘There’s no-one of the scale to rival us’ – HSF’s new litigation head talks strategy”
ABS latest: Kent Legal Services to open the bidding in search for a JV partner this summer
Kent County Council‘s legal arm is seeking ‘expressions of interest’ from potential alternative business structure (ABS) joint venture partners in advance of a formal procurement exercise to launch this summer as part of the council’s wider programme to raise funds.
Thompson to lead City charge as Eversheds unveils new office leadership
Eversheds has today (10 April) announced its new senior office partners across its London, Newcastle, Nottingham and Cardiff bases, with its highly-regarded joint head of UK financial services, Pamela Thompson, taking the helm in London.
Continue reading “Thompson to lead City charge as Eversheds unveils new office leadership”
Disputes: NRF hires Orrick litigation heavyweight as 20 Essex Street’s Morpuss QC joins Macfarlanes
Norton Rose Fulbright (NRF) has today (10 April) announced the hire of Orrick Rambaud Martel’s Philippe Hameau as a dispute resolution and litigation partner in its Paris office. Meanwhile, in London, Macfarlanes has confirmed that it has appointed 20 Essex Street silk Guy Morpuss QC to provide its clients with advice and advocacy.
Guest post: three leading indicators of success
This is a sequel, in a yin-yang fashion, to an earlier guest post, ‘Three leading indicators of failure‘. What might the equivalent indicators be for success, or outperformance?
Continue reading “Guest post: three leading indicators of success”
Deal watch: Nabarro and Addleshaws take the lead on £800m Hermes/Co-Op regeneration joint venture
While major real estate deals are hard to come by, the usual suspects continue to take the lion’s share of the work as LB100 firms Nabarro and Addleshaw Goddard have advised on a £800m real estate deal between Hermes Real Estate and The Co-Operative Group to become equal partners on the regeneration of buildings and land in central Manchester.
ABS latest: Fairpoint Group to acquire Simpson Millar for £9m
Finance company Fairpoint Group has today (9 April) announced its intention to acquire Leeds-based Simpson Millar.
Continue reading “ABS latest: Fairpoint Group to acquire Simpson Millar for £9m”
Filling one of Europe’s top legal jobs – JP Morgan hires Nomura’s Piers Le Marchant as new EMEA general counsel
It’s often said that the finance industry has been in retreat since the 2008 banking crisis but there is no doubt that US giant JP Morgan Chase remains one of the most lucrative and coveted legal clients in the world.
Freshfields recruits ex-Cleary partner to bolster US bench in key securities hire
In a rare partner hire in the City, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has added to its capital markets and US corporate law practice with the partner hire of Ash Qureshi, who joins from investment group Kingsley Capital Partners.
Continue reading “Freshfields recruits ex-Cleary partner to bolster US bench in key securities hire”
Eversheds in talks to extend voting rights as 164 junior partners inject cash
Eversheds has started talks over the voting rights of its fixed share partners (FSPs) after they were asked to contribute 25% of their annual earnings in response to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) tax changes for limited liability partnerships (LLPs).
Continue reading “Eversheds in talks to extend voting rights as 164 junior partners inject cash”
Africa expansion: Dentons ties up with Cape Town associate firm
Dentons has announced today (9 April), that it has tied up with local associate firm KapdiTwala to launch an office in Cape Town.
Continue reading “Africa expansion: Dentons ties up with Cape Town associate firm”
Partner promotions: Wragges and DAC Beachcroft make up significantly more lawyers; Olswang promotes two
Ahead of its 1 May merger with City firm Lawrence Graham, Wragge & Co has more than doubled the number of partner promotions it made last year to five, including two in its housing, development & regeneration team.
Revolving doors: Stephenson Harwood, Dentons, Morgan Lewis, Pinsents and Wragges make key hires
A number of firms have made noteworthy strategic appointments in the last few days, with Stephenson Harwood, Dentons, Morgan Lewis, Pinsent Masons and Wragge & Co all adding to their benches.