Anna Reynolds

September 12, 2013 | International Edition

Debevoise & Plimpton and Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy have taken the lead roles on Verizon's $49bn (£31bn) US bond issue, the largest corporate debt sale in history. The bond sale comes as the US telecoms group raises capital to finance its acquisition of Vodafone's 45% stake of Verizon Wireless, a $130bn (£84bn) deal which handed roles to a raft of firms including Slaughter and May and Macfarlanes.

By Anna Reynolds

2 minute read

September 09, 2013 | International Edition

Baker & McKenzie and Blackstone Chambers are acting pro bono for the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) on a judicial review challenging the legality of the controversial Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates (QASA). Bakers disputes partner Joanna Ludlam and Dinah Rose QC and Tom De La Mare QC of Blackstone are leading the proceedings brought against the Legal Services Board (LSB) over its decision to approve the QASA - a new grading system which will see criminal advocates rated at one of four levels.

By Anna Reynolds

3 minute read

September 05, 2013 | International Edition

Gide Loyrette Nouel and Latham & Watkins are among a line-up of firms to have advised on a deal that has seen French retail giant Casino take control of rival supermarket chain Monoprix. Last July, Casino and French department store Galeries Lafayette ended a dispute over their joint ownership of Monoprix, which saw Lafayette agree to give up its 50% stake to Casino for €1.175bn (£1bn).

By Anna Reynolds

2 minute read

September 04, 2013 | International Edition

Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) has decided not to go ahead with its planned launch in Guinea, a move which had been expected to take place early this year. The firm announced the planned launch in the capital of Conakry in October last year, with the decision attributed to increasing interest in the West African jurisdiction from its energy and infrastructure clients.

By Anna Reynolds

2 minute read

September 04, 2013 | International Edition

Hogan Lovells has added a third partner to its new Luxembourg office with the hire of tax lawyer Gérard Neiens from Allen & Overy.

By Anna Reynolds

2 minute read

September 03, 2013 | International Edition

The head of Berwin Leighton Paisner's information law unit, Adam Rose, has left to join Mishcon de Reya, marking the latest move in a string of partner exits from the firm. Rose joined BLP in 1990 before becoming a partner in 1997. He lead BLP's commercial and technology group for 12 years, and was also the head of information law. He advises clients in the financial, information and publishing and outsourcing sectors and has experience in advising on a wide range of software and related IT contracts. Rose is also a vice-chair of Lex Anglo-Brasil and is involved with various Latin American chambers of commerce in the UK.

By Anna Reynolds

2 minute read

September 02, 2013 | International Edition

Speechly Bircham has opened an office in Geneva today (2 September), ahead of the planned launch of another European office this November. The new office will be led by former Withers lawyer Michael Wells-Greco and of counsel Francis Rojas, who both left the firm in 2011 to join Luxembourg-based personal wealth outfit Maitland.

By Anna Reynolds

3 minute read

August 30, 2013 | International Edition

Kennedys is to merge with Scottish law firm Simpson & Marwick later this year after partners at both firms voted in favour of the tie-up. The combined firm will be known as Kennedys, although Simpson & Marwick will be known as Kennedys Simpson & Marwick in Scotland for a period after the merger goes live on 1 November. The news follows the firm's recent union with specialist aviation and aerospace law firm, Gates and Partners, in June.

By Anna Reynolds

3 minute read

August 30, 2013 | International Edition

Casino, the French retail group, has taken exclusive control of Paris supermarket chain, Monoprix Group, following approval from the French Competition Authority.

By Anna Reynolds

1 minute read

August 01, 2013 | International Edition

Partner numbers across the UK top 50 have grown almost 7% this year, as a number of significant mergers continue to drive headcount growth at leading law firms. Across the 2012-13 financial year there were an average of 10,115 partners working at the top 50 firms, up 6.9% from 9,458 the previous year. Following a spate of mergers, DWF saw the largest growth in partner numbers across the group, leaping from 152 to 285 over the year as a result of tie-ups with Biggart Baillie, Fishburns and Buller Jeffries as well as taking on a number of partners from now defunct Cobbetts.

By Anna Reynolds

3 minute read