Anna Reynolds

July 16, 2013 | International Edition

Gray's Inn set Matrix Chambers has opened a new office in Geneva, marking the first step of its international strategy. Matrix is launching a sister brand – Matrix International – in the autumn, which will consolidate the range of international work it already carries out across various jurisdictions.

By Anna Reynolds

2 minute read

July 16, 2013 | International Edition

Sir John Thomas has been appointed as the new Lord Chief Justice (LCJ) following the retirement of Lord Judge. Thomas – who will take up the role from 1 October – was called to the bar by Gray's Inn in 1969. He was appointed a Judge of the High Court of England and Wales in 1996 and was assigned to the Queen's Bench Division and to the Commercial Court.

By Anna Reynolds

3 minute read

July 15, 2013 | International Edition

Hogan Lovells is set to launch in Luxembourg, with partners at the firm voting on a number of lateral hires for the new base this week. The office, which will be the firm's 19th in Europe, will focus on investment funds, and will work alongside Hogan Lovells' corporate, real estate, private equity and tax practices.

By Anna Reynolds

2 minute read

July 12, 2013 | International Edition

Linklaters is advising G4S over a potential Serious Fraud Office (SFO) investigation into claims that the company has been overcharging for electronically tagging criminals in England and Wales. Justice secretary Chris Grayling told the House of Commons yesterday (11 July) he wanted the SFO to investigate the private security firm, which he says has been "[charging] in ways not justified by the contracts and for people who were not in fact being monitored".

By Anna Reynolds

3 minute read

July 11, 2013 | International Edition

Addleshaw Goddard, Linklaters and Olswang have advised on a joint venture (JV) between Sainsbury's and Vodafone to create a new mobile phone network, 'Mobile by Sainsbury's'. Addleshaws advised Sainsbury's, with a team led by technology, media and intellectual property partner James Whittaker and corporate finance partner Andrew Rosling. Linklaters and Olswang acted for Vodafone, with Linklaters' global competition head Gerwin Van Gerven advising on competition clearance alongside Raj Roy from Vodafone's in-house legal team. Olswang partner Louis Glass handled corporate advice.

By Anna Reynolds

2 minute read

July 11, 2013 | International Edition

Linklaters and Norton Rose Fulbright have been rated as the law firms that associates at rivals would most like to work for, according to new research by Legal Week. Legal Week Intelligence's flagship Employee Satisfaction Report (ESR) this year found the pair ranked ahead of Slaughter and May, Allen & Overy (A&O) and Pinsent Masons as the five most popular firms to work for, as rated by peers at rival law firms. Norton Rose, A&O and Slaughters have been in the top five for the last three years of the survey, while Pinsents and Linklaters are new entrants this year, replacing Berwin Leighton Paisner and Clyde & Co.

By Anna Reynolds

3 minute read

July 11, 2013 | International Edition

Ashurst has set out further details of its new management line-up ahead of its full financial integration with its Australia arm, with managing partner James Collis taking the role of global managing partner and the senior partner role set to be phased out. Legacy Blake Dawson managing partner John Carrington has been appointed as managing partner Australia, while an agreement has also been reached over the composition of the new 14-member global board, which will comprise partners from both legacy firms.

By Anna Reynolds

3 minute read

July 11, 2013 | International Edition

Linklaters has recruited Paris capital markets partner Bertrand Senechal from Shearman & Sterling, as the magic circle firm moves to restock its practice in the French capital following the loss of a team to White & Case earlier this year. Senechal - who will start at the magic circle firm on 2 September - has been a partner at Shearman since 2005 and is highly rated for equity capital markets work in France.

By Anna Reynolds

2 minute read

July 09, 2013 | International Edition

Clifford Chance (CC) is ramping up its focus on Africa amid much law firm interest in the region with a two-day event attended by 60 law firms from across the continent. The event, which took place in London last week, was attended by 80 lawyers from 30 different African countries, bringing together CC lawyers and African counsel with whom the firm works with on a regular basis in a bid to build closer working relationships.

By Anna Reynolds

2 minute read

July 09, 2013 | International Edition

Farrer & Co has seen revenues hit £50m with a 2.4% increase for the 2012-13 financial year. The firm saw revenues increase to £50.8m from £49.6m in 2011-12, while profits per equity partner (PEP) now stands at £427,000 compared with £419,000 last year - an increase of 1.9%. The firm's equity ranges from £265,000 at the bottom to £560,000 for top earners.

By Anna Reynolds

2 minute read