Cooley leverages Brexit uncertainty to launch in Brussels

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Cooley leverages Brexit uncertainty to launch in Brussels

Four years after launching in London, West Coast US firm Cooley is to launch its second European base in Brussels.

The firm announced today (4 February) it has hired experienced competition partner Alexander Israel from leading German independent Noerr to lead the opening of its fourteenth branch worldwide. ‘Expanding Cooley’s presence in the European Union has long been a key component of our growth strategy,’ said chief executive Joe Conroy, adding that opening in the Belgian capital would strengthen the firm’s ability to support clients ‘particularly with the uncertainty of the Brexit environment’. Continue reading “Cooley leverages Brexit uncertainty to launch in Brussels”

In-house: Skyscanner GC takes flight as Balfour Beatty and National Grid make senior hires

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In-house: Skyscanner GC takes flight as Balfour Beatty and National Grid make senior hires

The chief legal officer of high-profile travel metasearch engine Skyscanner, Carolyn Jameson, is stepping down after nearly six years in the top job, while UK infrastructure group Balfour Beatty has turned to Tesco for a new general counsel (GC) ahead of the upcoming retirement of incumbent David Mercer.

National Grid, meanwhile, has hired former Gowling WLG head of energy Derek Goodban as UK GC, replacing Rachael Davidson. Continue reading “In-house: Skyscanner GC takes flight as Balfour Beatty and National Grid make senior hires”

In-house: prominent Centrica GC Dawson to retire as ZPG legal head departs

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In-house: prominent Centrica GC Dawson to retire as ZPG legal head departs

The long-serving general counsel (GC) of international energy player Centrica, Grant Dawson, is set to retire after more than 20 years, while the rising star GC of property company ZPG, Ned Staple, has also left.

Dawson, one of the most prominent names in the in-house community, said this week (17 December) he will retire from Centrica on 31 March 2019. He will be replaced by deputy GC, Justine Campbell, who will sit on the company’s executive committee and board. Continue reading “In-house: prominent Centrica GC Dawson to retire as ZPG legal head departs”

The Legal 500 view: We’ll be championing women but we need your help

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The Legal 500 view: We’ll be championing women but we need your help

Rankings, by definition, are never going to please everyone (nor should they). But, as the new UK editor of The Legal 500, there’s one issue in particular that I see as an area to progress: diversity.

Women make up more than half of those entering the profession, in general far less than 30% of firms’ partnerships and – for some core areas – they struggle to get recognition in the industry from peers and, yes, the legal publishing sector in general. Continue reading “The Legal 500 view: We’ll be championing women but we need your help”

EasyJet GC completes ITV round-trip for head of legal job

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EasyJet GC completes ITV round-trip for head of legal job

ITV has appointed easyJet group general counsel (GC) Kyla Mullins as its new head of legal, filling a role vacated by the experienced Andrew Garard in July.

Mullins returns to ITV having previously been its group legal director between 2000 and 2007. She also had spells as GC at EMI Music and energy company Mitie before joining budget airliner easyJet in 2015. Continue reading “EasyJet GC completes ITV round-trip for head of legal job”

Review of Baker McKenzie #MeToo incident finds ‘shortcomings’ but details scant

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Review of Baker McKenzie #MeToo incident finds ‘shortcomings’ but details scant

An under-wraps independent review of Baker McKenzie’s approach to a sexual misconduct incident six years ago has concluded there were ‘a number of shortcomings’ but details are scarce.

Bakers appointed Simmons & Simmons in February  to review the way the firm had handled accusations that one of its London partners sexually assaulted an associate in 2012 . Continue reading “Review of Baker McKenzie #MeToo incident finds ‘shortcomings’ but details scant”

International round-up: HFW opens in Abu Dhabi as Morgan Lewis hires new Tokyo head

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International round-up: HFW opens in Abu Dhabi as Morgan Lewis hires new Tokyo head

HFW has added a fifth office in the Middle East, launching in Abu Dhabi after a double-partner hire from US firm Reed Smith.

Finance and corporate partners Vince Gordon and Tania de Swart have made the switch, with Gordon previously acting as Reed Smith’s managing partner for the Middle East. Continue reading “International round-up: HFW opens in Abu Dhabi as Morgan Lewis hires new Tokyo head”

The talent debate: The war rages on

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The talent debate: The war rages on

James Tsolakis, NatWest: One of the great challenges setting this up with Alex is in the long period I have been a banker to the legal profession, the rate of change is faster than I have seen for a long time. The challenge was defining the discussion. It could have been IPOs, artificial intelligence, international expansion – any number of things. I am pleased we chose a subject that will ultimately touch all these other subjects driving change in the sector.

Alex Novarese, Legal Business: Kicking off, Sharon, what worries you about talent? Continue reading “The talent debate: The war rages on”

‘Litigation finance is here to stay’: Former A&O senior partner Morley joins Vannin ahead of IPO

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‘Litigation finance is here to stay’: Former A&O senior partner Morley joins Vannin ahead of IPO

Fast-growing litigation funder Vannin Capital has appointed former Allen & Overy senior partner David Morley as chair ahead of a planned IPO on the London Stock Exchange.

The company announced today (10 September) that it planned to issue £70m of new shares and sell part of the shares held by existing shareholders in a float expected to take place in October. Continue reading “‘Litigation finance is here to stay’: Former A&O senior partner Morley joins Vannin ahead of IPO”

Disputes round-up: White & Case continues hiring drive with RBS litigation head as HSF partner appointed deputy High Court judge

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Disputes round-up: White & Case continues hiring drive with RBS litigation head as HSF partner appointed deputy High Court judge

White & Case is continuing its bid to add firepower to its London disputes bench with the hire of The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS)’s former head of litigation and investigations Laura Durrant as a partner.

Meanwhile, Swiss disputes firm LALIVE is opening an arbitration-focused office in London and Herbert Smith Freehills’ (HSF) litigation partner Adam Johnson QC has been appointed a deputy High Court judge. Continue reading “Disputes round-up: White & Case continues hiring drive with RBS litigation head as HSF partner appointed deputy High Court judge”