Claire Ruckin

October 11, 2010 | International Edition

Howrey's Europe intellectual property (IP) head and at least 11 other partners are departing to set up a new IP firm, citing client conflicts and poor workflow with the US side of the firm, reports The Am Law Daily. Fourteen associates are also expected to leave to join the new firm, which will be called Hoyng Monegier. Among the confirmed departures are name partners Denis Monegier du Sorbier and Willem Hoyng, the managing partner of Howrey Europe and a member of the firm's executive committee.

By Claire Ruckin

3 minute read

October 06, 2010 | International Edition

Halliwells' ex-partners are set for continued talks over the firm's £4m outstanding rent liabilities after failing to reach an agreement during the first round of mediation. A second meeting has been scheduled after the defunct firm's former partners failed to reach a compromise with fellow ex-partner Paul Thomas over the rent obligations. Thomas, a personal guarantor for Halliwells' former Manchester offices at St James's Court, is attempting to spread the liability for rent guaranteed on the premises until 2013.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

October 06, 2010 | International Edition

A raft of law firms are advising on the potential sale of Liverpool Football Club to Boston Red Sox owners New England Sport Ventures (NESV), amid a boardroom wrangle at the club. Slaughter and May, Weil Gotshal & Manges and Shearman & Sterling are advising the Liverpool board, US owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett and NESV respectively on the proposed takeover.

By Claire Ruckin

3 minute read

October 06, 2010 | International Edition

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has won the mandate to advise FTSE 100 plumbing and heating group Wolseley on its relocation to Switzerland for tax reasons. The magic circle firm advised the longstanding client on the move after the company failed to obtain a "clear enough view" from the coalition Government on its plans with regard to the UK's corporation tax regime.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

October 06, 2010 | International Edition

The future of the Bar always sparks a fiery debate, and never more so than now, with the Legal Services Act (LSA) opening up new opportunities set to reshape the future of the legal profession. The upcoming changes have split lawyers into two camps: there are those who see it as a dying profession, with barristers unable and unwilling to change, and others who see the Bar as a vital part of our legal system going forward, which is opening up to modern practices.

By Claire Ruckin

13 minute read

October 06, 2010 | International Edition

Hammonds has bolstered its City banking team with the hire of former Simmons & Simmons London banking head Mark Norris. Norris joined the national law firm as London banking head earlier this week (4 October) and will work closely alongside London banking partners David Sachs, Samrad Nazer and Iain Shurwood.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

October 06, 2010 | International Edition

Pinsent Masons has bolstered its planning practice, with the hire of Shoosmiths' national practice head Ian Gilbey. Gilbey is set to join Pinsents' six-partner planning team early next year and will jointly lead the group alongside existing head Richard Ford. At Shoosmiths, Gilbey has been replaced as head of the group by planning partner Kirsten Hewson, who takes over with immediate effect.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

October 04, 2010 | International Edition

The number of court appearances by FTSE 100 companies has jumped by 16% over the last year, according to new research. During the year to 30 June 2010 there were 179 cases involving FTSE 100 companies across the Court of Appeal, Queen's Bench and Chancery Division, compared to 154 in the previous year. The study, conducted by legal information provider Sweet & Maxwell, showed financial services companies were involved in over half (58%) of High Court cases involving the FTSE 100, despite such companies accounting for just 18% of the share index.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

September 30, 2010 | International Edition

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer financial institutions head Will Lawes has been named as its new senior partner as the firm unveils a new leadership team. Lawes won the role after a contested partnership vote against chief executive Ted Burke and will take up the post from 1 January 2011.

By Claire Ruckin

3 minute read

September 29, 2010 | International Edition

Commercial law firms are facing growing pressure to recruit criminal lawyers with aggressive regulation and anti-corruption legislation on the horizon, according to senior litigators. Top law firms are showing increasing interest in developing white-collar crime practices against the backdrop of the imminent introduction of the Bribery Act and an increased risk of criminal offences which corporate boards now face.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read