Anna Reynolds

November 19, 2013 | International Edition

Hogan Lovells has sealed the hire of antitrust partner Mark Jones from Norton Rose Fulbright, continuing its expansion drive of recent months. Jones, who will join Hogan Lovells antitrust, competition and economic regulation practice in London in the New Year, has been a partner at Norton Rose for ten years. He works in particular in the in the energy, infrastructure, insurance and retail sectors.

By Anna Reynolds

2 minute read

November 18, 2013 | International Edition

DAC Beachcroft has issued a £10m cash call to its partners and taken out a £40m loan facility in a bid to grow its revenue to £200m for the 2013/2014 financial year.

By Anna Reynolds

2 minute read

November 18, 2013 | International Edition

Lawrence Graham (LG) and Wragge & Co are in talks to merge in a move that would create a combined firm with turnover in excess of £170m. Partners were told today (18th November) of plans for a union with a vote yet to be scheduled. The tie-up would take the combined number of partners to 189 and combined turnover to £172.3m, putting the firm just outside the UK top 20, according to last year's financial results.

By Anna Reynolds

3 minute read

November 15, 2013 | International Edition

DAC Beachcroft and Berrymans Lace Mawer have between them acquired Morgan Cole's personal injury business. The firm's are the latest to expand its PI offering, after Irwin Mitchell announced today that it has acquired Manchester firm McCool Patterson Hemsi (MPH) Solicitors.

By Anna Reynolds

2 minute read

November 14, 2013 | International Edition

When David Aitman joined Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer from legacy firm Denton Hall in 2001, one of his conditions was that he would not be required to take up a management role. Ten months later, Aitman was head of the magic circle firm's London antitrust, competition and trade (ACT) group. Fast forward a little more than a decade and as Freshfields' new managing partner, he finds himself in one of the most senior management positions in the City.

By Anna Reynolds

5 minute read

November 14, 2013 | International Edition

Macfarlanes is looking to build new referral relationships in Africa to take advantage of increased investment in the continent. The firm has targeted between 10 and 15 key growth countries and wants to develop relationships with around three local firms in each as part of an expansion of its African practice, led by M&A partner Howard Corney.

By Anna Reynolds

2 minute read

November 14, 2013 | International Edition

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has enlisted an external consultancy to lead the review of its finance practice following the exit of group head Matthew Kellett last month. Former Clifford Chance managing partner Tony Williams, now of legal consultants Jomati, will oversee the review, which will focus on the structure of the department.

By Anna Reynolds

2 minute read

November 14, 2013 | International Edition

Norton Rose Fulbright antitrust and competition partner Michael Grenfell is leaving the firm to become senior director of sectoral regulation at the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). The CMA is a new organisation which is part of the department for Business, Innovation & Skills. It will come into power in April 2014 and will take over many of the functions and responsibilities of the Competition Commission and the Office of Fair Trading.

By Anna Reynolds

2 minute read

November 13, 2013 | International Edition

Gill Aitken has been appointed as HM Revenue and Customs' (HMRC's) General Counsel, succeeding Anthony Inglese. Inglese is retiring at the end of January after nearly six years as GC and over 38 years in the Government Legal Service. Aitken will take up the role from 1 February 2014.

By Anna Reynolds

2 minute read

November 13, 2013 | International Edition

Davis Polk has introduced a London trainee scheme for newly qualified lawyers in a bid to build its English-law capability. The US firm will use its English law partners and senior associates to provide the training, with trainee lawyers set to receive a salary of £50,000 in the first year and £55,0000 in the second.

By Anna Reynolds

2 minute read