Alex Newman

December 16, 2013 | International Edition

Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom, Clifford Chance (CC) and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer have taken roles on the sale of two separate $750m (£460m) stakes in Russian tobacco distributor Megapolis.

By Alex Newman

2 minute read

December 16, 2013 | International Edition

US firm Brown Rudnick has launced a litigation-focused Paris office fronted by a former Gide Loyrette Nouel partner. The office will be co-led by Sebastien Bonnard, the former Gide partner who joins from Lacourte Raquin Tatar, alongside international arbitration group head Nicholas Tse, who is currently based in London.

By Alex Newman

2 minute read

December 12, 2013 | International Edition

Addleshaw Goddard has developed a programme to develop leadership among in-house legal teams, in a bid to strengthen ties with existing and prospective clients.

By Alex Newman

3 minute read

December 12, 2013 | International Edition

Ropes & Gray has hired Weil Gotshal & Manges highly-ranked tax partner Brenda Coleman in London. Coleman, who moved to Weil from Allen & Overy (A&O) in 2009, advises on all areas of corporate tax, including private equity, restructuring, funds and finance matters. At Weil she worked on a part-time basis however at Ropes, she will return to full-time practice.

By Alex Newman

2 minute read

December 11, 2013 | International Edition

Graham Martin, the general counsel (GC) of Tullow Oil is to step down as legal chief in the New Year, as part of a re-shuffle at the top of the energy giant's legal team.

By Alex Newman

2 minute read

December 11, 2013 | International Edition

Kennedys and Scottish firm Simpson & Marwick have called off a proposed £160m merger, citing "complex reasons". Partners at both insurance-focused outfits initially voted in favour of the tie-up in August, though plans for full integration by 1 November were later acknowledged as "ambitious".

By Alex Newman

2 minute read

December 11, 2013 | International Edition

Partners at Allen & Overy (A&O) have approved the hire of former Ashurst corporate head Stephen Lloyd. The vote, news of which was first revealed last week, was largely seen as a formality after the magic circle firm successfully courted the private equity star, despite interest from US outfits including Simpson Thacher & Bartlett.

By Alex Newman

2 minute read

December 10, 2013 | International Edition

The American fashion retailer Abercrombie & Fitch has hired New York-based Greenberg Traurig partner Robert Bostrom as its new general counsel. Bostrom, who is currently co-chair of Greenberg's financial regulatory and compliance practice, replaces Ronald "Rocky" Robins, who last week left the company to re-join Columbus, Ohio-headquartered firm Vorys Sater Seymour and Pease.

By Alex Newman

2 minute read

December 10, 2013 | International Edition

Bond Dickinson has concluded its post-merger redundancy consultation, with fewer than 25 employees now expected to lose their jobs. In August, the firm said around 7% of the support staff positions - equivalent to 35 posts - could be made redundant. Managing partner Jonathan Blair (pictured, right) said at the time that the job losses were caused by the merger of legacy firms Bond Pearce and Dickinson Dees, which had "inevitably" created "some areas of duplication".

By Alex Newman

2 minute read

December 10, 2013 | International Edition

Dentons and Hogan Lovells have taken the headline roles on the development and funding of a government-backed carbon capture and storage (CCS) project at the site of the Drax power station in North Yorkshire.

By Alex Newman

2 minute read