Anna Reynolds

June 27, 2013 | International Edition

Ashurst partners are set for an October vote on full financial integration with legacy Australian firm Blake Dawson, following their 2011 tie-up. A full merger of Ashurst and Blakes – now known as Ashurst Australia – will require a 75% majority of both partnerships when it goes to the vote later this year. The combination would see the firms combine legally as one partnership with a shared global profit pool, with the combined firm operating a managed lockstep – a system both firms currently use.

By Anna Reynolds

2 minute read

June 27, 2013 | International Edition

Leading silk Stephen Smith QC has joined Erskine Chambers along with junior duo Tim Akkouh and Emily Gillett. The trio, who join from New Square Chambers, focus on civil fraud, asset recovery and civil litigation.

By Anna Reynolds

2 minute read

June 27, 2013 | International Edition

Kennedys has recorded a 9% rise in revenue for the 2012-13 financial year, up from last year's figure of £109m to £117m. The news comes after the firm recently sealed a merger with specialist aviation and aerospace law firm, Gates and Partners. The deal, which came into effect on 1 June, is expected to add £10m to Kennedys' revenues next year.

By Anna Reynolds

2 minute read

June 26, 2013 | International Edition

Travers Smith is introducing merit-based pay for its more senior associates, as well as one-off payments for those with "disruptive" work patterns, following a review of associate remuneration at the firm. The results of the review, which has taken place over the last 10 months, will see the firm retain its traditional lockstep structure for junior associates, while bringing in increased flexibility for associates with more than six years' post-qualification experience.

By Anna Reynolds

2 minute read

June 24, 2013 | International Edition

Essex Court Chambers has appointed Richard Jacobs QC and Graham Dunning QC to co-head the chambers as Gordon Pollock QC steps down after 21 years in the role. Jacobs and Dunning took over the role on 21 June, while Pollock will remain in full time practice at Essex Court Chambers. In 1994, the Chambers became the first major commercial set to leave the Temple, with Pollock overseeing the move to 24-26 Lincoln's Inn Fields.

By Anna Reynolds

2 minute read

June 24, 2013 | International Edition

The Supreme Court has appointed its only female justice - Baroness Hale of Richmond - as deputy president, following the retirement of Lord Hope. Hale will take up the role on 28 June, succeeding Hope, who has been deputy president of the court since it opened in 2009.

By Anna Reynolds

2 minute read

June 20, 2013 | International Edition

Mishcon de Reya has won the Kingdom of the Netherlands as a new client after taking a role to advise on its move to a new embassy building on London's Southbank. The Netherlands has acquired a 50,000 sq ft site at Ballymore's Embassy Gardens development in Nine Elms and will move from its current location at Hyde Park Gate in 2017. Real estate partner Simon Hart is leading the Mishcons team alongside head of construction Simon Hunter, associate Nick Harris and planning consultant Wesley Fongenie.

By Anna Reynolds

2 minute read

June 20, 2013 | International Edition

Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) has ramped up its use of international secondments in the wake of last year's UK-Australia tie-up, as the firm moves to more closely integrate its business around the world. The firm's post-merger integration push has seen the number of employees on secondment around the world rise from 155 during 2011 to 283 in 2012 – an increase of more than 80%. A total of 70 secondees have moved between the firm's offices since last October, the month the merger went live – more than double the 26 who moved offices in the equivalent period during 2011-12. Approximately half of the moves since the merger have comprised staff transferring to and from Australia.

By Anna Reynolds

2 minute read

June 19, 2013 | International Edition

Berwin Leighton Paisner has beefed up its pioneering Lawyers on Demand business by adding a "pay-as-you-go" service, which will give clients access to legal help remotely to manage surges in workload.

By Anna Reynolds

3 minute read

June 19, 2013 | International Edition

A former Linklaters employee connected to a recent employment tribunal case is facing charges of defrauding the magic circle firm. Raza Kanval, 34, a former supervisor at Linklaters' London legal services centre, appeared at City of London Magistrates' Court yesterday (18 June). He appeared alongside 29-year-old Karim Rashid, who is accused of possessing £86,869.55 in criminal proceeds.

By Anna Reynolds

2 minute read