In the latest round of partnership promotions, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has made up 15 new partners to its ranks. While that figure does not represent a return to 2011 and 2012 levels, when 20 partners were made up, it is a slight increase on last year, when the number fell to 14. Continue reading “Numbers game – Freshfields awards 15 partner promotions across Europe, Tokyo and New York”
Diversity – Herbert Smith Freehills commits to 30% female partners by 2019
Set against a backdrop of initiatives including the 30% Club’s drive to improve senior female representation on UK boards, Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) has announced today (13 March) that by 2019 women will make up 30% of its partnership. Continue reading “Diversity – Herbert Smith Freehills commits to 30% female partners by 2019”
Guest post: Lessons in recruitment from Google
Loyal readers of Adam Smith, Esq. know that we think there’s much that can be learned for Law Land from other industries.
Today’s column is in that vein, and our texts for today come from The New York Times and Above the Law.
Continue reading “Guest post: Lessons in recruitment from Google”
In-house: US government agency adds to its senior lawyer ranks with AOL and Google hires
The former deputy general counsel at both AOL and Google are set to become colleagues, having separately joined the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) as the government agency turns to lawyers with hi-tech backgrounds to fill its top ranks.
Outpaced – US firms’ 2013 City revenue increases overshadow global results
Aside from a notable shift towards growth, one of the most salient trends to emerge from 2013’s US financial results is the fact – and the extent to which – the London offices of America’s finest firms are outpacing their global recovery. Continue reading “Outpaced – US firms’ 2013 City revenue increases overshadow global results”
‘The message from clients is clear’ – BLP chief on the thinking behind its latest New Law venture
Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) this week unveiled a bold attempt to re-enforce its credentials as a ‘New Law’ pioneer, announcing the launch of a multi-strand venture that includes the launch of a new Manchester hub as part of a drive to create a comprehensive suite of options to reduce costs and improve flexibility for clients.
The ‘four-pronged approach’ will see the 786-lawyer firm consult its clients on how to improve its work processes; roll out its already successful Lawyers on Demand (LoD) service to include virtual transactional teams to back BLP clients; offer an extension of its current outsourcing and project management services, including deploying its Managed Legal Services (MLS) division; and provide the option of a low-cost centre in Manchester as an extension of its 11 existing offices. Continue reading “‘The message from clients is clear’ – BLP chief on the thinking behind its latest New Law venture”
Head of Manhattan – Adam Siegel takes over as Freshfields US managing partner
One of the more successful of the Magic Circle practices in Wall Street, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has appointed Adam Siegel to take over as its new US managing partner when current US head Julian Pritchard steps down on April 30. Siegel’s term will run for three years. Continue reading “Head of Manhattan – Adam Siegel takes over as Freshfields US managing partner”
The student view: Davis Polk’s Will Pearce talks deal lawyering at Wall Street’s finest
London may have caught New York-based giant Davis Polk & Wardwell’s eye as early as 1973, but it’s only two years ago that the firm’s UK office launched an English law practice, following the January 2012 hire of former Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer corporate partner Simon Witty and tax partner Jonathan Cooklin. Continue reading “The student view: Davis Polk’s Will Pearce talks deal lawyering at Wall Street’s finest”
Chartered legal execs to stand on a par with solicitors in conveyancing and probate after Grayling approval
In a further step towards breaking down the traditional restraints on delivering legal services, chartered legal executives have been given the go ahead to practise independently on probate and conveyancing matters after justice secretary Chris Grayling approved the proposal last week. Continue reading “Chartered legal execs to stand on a par with solicitors in conveyancing and probate after Grayling approval”
Premier League calls on Peter McCormick to stand in as director after chairman hospitalised
The Premier League has announced that it has drafted in the head of its legal advisory group, Peter McCormick, to stand in as a temporary director after league chairman Anthony Fry was taken seriously ill. Continue reading “Premier League calls on Peter McCormick to stand in as director after chairman hospitalised”
Onwards and upwards for Ashurst’s head of pensions who joins Eversheds 90-lawyer team
Ashurst’s London head of pensions Steven Hull has jumped ship for Eversheds’ highly-rated 90-lawyer team, becoming the latest of a series of exits at the top 20 firm. Continue reading “Onwards and upwards for Ashurst’s head of pensions who joins Eversheds 90-lawyer team”
Tanks off our lawn – BLP aims to retake future of law turf with huge expansion of ‘New Law’ services
Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has today (11 March) launched an innovative package of services for clients, which includes rolling out a lower cost team in a new Manchester office early this summer.
The four-pronged model, dubbed the Integrated Client Service Model, will see the firm analyse the systems and processes that clients need; offer them virtual transaction teams as an extension of its existing Lawyers on Demand (LoD) business; offer third parties an outsourcing service based on the type of managed legal services offering currently provided to clients including Thames Water; and access to a ‘large pool of high quality legal staff’ in Manchester.
Comment: American without tears – succession planning at the increasingly transatlantic DLA Piper
So the experiment ends as a qualified success. News of the early-timed succession planning at DLA Piper confirmed that well-regarded IP and technology partner Simon Levine is to assume Nigel Knowles’ role as co-chief executive, with Knowles next year taking on the role of co-chair in place of Tony Angel. Continue reading “Comment: American without tears – succession planning at the increasingly transatlantic DLA Piper”
Clifford Chance leads on VW’s $9.2bn offer for remaining shares in Scania
Magic Circle giant Clifford Chance (CC) has scored a key advisory role on Volkswagen’s (VW’s) $9.2bn offer for a remaining stake in Swedish truck company Scania.
CC, a longstanding adviser to the German automobile manufacturer, is leading on the German and US legal aspects of the offer, led by Frankfurt-based M&A partner Wolfgang Richter and banking partner George Hacket. Leading Nordic firm Roschier is also advising VW on Swedish law matters. Continue reading “Clifford Chance leads on VW’s $9.2bn offer for remaining shares in Scania”
Revolving Doors: Lateral hires for Squire Sanders, Olswang, Irwin Mitchell, DAC Beachcroft and Osborne Clarke
In the latest series of lateral appointments across the UK’s leading firms, Squire Sanders has hired former Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) director of China business as a partner in its global corporate practice, as Olswang welcomes former Gateley contentious insolvency partner Louise Bell, Irwin Mitchell hires restructuring and insolvency specialist Edward Judge, and DAC Beachcroft brings in Eversheds’ former head of procurement in Newcastle, Ruth Connorton.
Continue reading “Revolving Doors: Lateral hires for Squire Sanders, Olswang, Irwin Mitchell, DAC Beachcroft and Osborne Clarke”
CMS extends Middle East footprint with Oman launch
CMS will join only a handful of international law firms with a presence in Oman, as the top 10 LB100 network today (10 March) announces a new office in Muscat, its second office in the Gulf region. Continue reading “CMS extends Middle East footprint with Oman launch”
Guest post: Notes from the frontline of Grayling Day – ‘The whole system is in revolt’
At Friday’s ‘Grayling Day’ demonstration in London, chairman of the Criminal Bar Association Nigel Lithman QC told the audience that ‘an indispensable part of our democracy is the criminal justice system. It’s taken centuries to build; it is taking this government a blink of an eye to demolish.’
Nabarro bolsters City disputes capability with DLA IT litigation head hire
Top 30 LB100 firm Nabarro has bolstered its City disputes capability with the addition of DLA Piper’s IT litigation head Lee Gluyas.
Gluyas specialises in both commercial litigation and arbitration in complex IT disputes. Having acted for and against technology companies, the 424-lawyer firm said his appointment is part of a strategic move to build on its existing presence in the sector. Continue reading “Nabarro bolsters City disputes capability with DLA IT litigation head hire”
Race to provide direct legal services sees Allianz convert to an ABS
Last year they hit your television with an advert comparing the stresses of the daily commute and school run to a formula one race but this week multi-billion UK personal and business insurer Allianz entered the race to provide direct legal services to their customers by converting to an alterative business structure, after being granted a licence by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Continue reading “Race to provide direct legal services sees Allianz convert to an ABS”
Trucking ahead – King & Spalding, Hill Dickinson and Minter Ellison advise on £280m Eddie Stobart majority stake sale
Rare in the transport world for having its own television show, King & Spalding, Hill Dickinson and Minter Ellison have secured roles on the £280m sale of a majority stake in iconic UK haulage company Eddie Stobart, announced this week. Continue reading “Trucking ahead – King & Spalding, Hill Dickinson and Minter Ellison advise on £280m Eddie Stobart majority stake sale”