Claire Ruckin

September 29, 2010 | International Edition

Travers Smith and CMS Cameron McKenna have taken lead roles on private equity firm 3i's sale of National Car Parks (NCP) spin-off company NSL Services to a European buyout house. Travers private equity head Philip Sanderson led a team advising 3i on the £120m sale to AAC Capital Partners. The deal signed last week (20 September) and is set to close next month.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

September 29, 2010 | International Edition

Eversheds has opened up a bespoke MBA for its junior lawyers as part of a new learning programme rolled out earlier this month. The new Commercial Academy will see a number of optional courses, including a 'mini MBA', opened up to the firm's junior lawyers. Some of the courses will be compulsory for lawyers in certain practice groups.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

September 29, 2010 | International Edition

Addleshaw Goddard chairman Monica Burch has been added to the line up of Channel 4's new non-executive directors. The appointment, announced today (29 September) was made by Ofcom following an advertising campaign in the national papers. The role will start on 1 October for an initial three year term.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

September 28, 2010 | International Edition

Herbert Smith's managing partner David Willis is set to continue in his term for another two years after standing unopposed. Willis' current term as managing partner comes to an end in April 2011 and he will now continue in the role until 2013 after no other candidates put themselves forward for election. The deadline for standing was yesterday (27 September).

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

September 27, 2010 | International Edition

The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has launched a third consultation on the Legal Services Act (LSA) to determine whether the watchdog should regulate businesses as well as individual advocates.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

September 24, 2010 | International Edition

Bevan Brittan has launched a its third round of redundancies since 2008, with 26 jobs placed under threat. The national firm confirmed today (24 September) that it is starting a consultation process which could result in staff numbers being reduced by 26, with the layoffs evenly split between fee earners and PAs across a number of departments. The decision comes in the wake of the Government's cutbacks in public sector spending.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

September 23, 2010 | International Edition

DLA Piper has added a partner to its finance and projects practice with the hire of an in-house energy specialist. Darren Walsh joined the national firm's Manchester office earlier this month from Simon Carves, the global construction and engineering subsidiary of India's Punj Lloyd, where he was vice president, handling legal and commercial affairs.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

September 22, 2010 | International Edition

The dispute over Halliwells' outstanding £4m in property liabilities has come to a head after 90 ex-partners resigned from the defunct firm's limited liability partnership (LLP). Filings with Companies House confirm the resignations - including former chief executive Ian Austin and approximately 30 equity partners - which came after a resolution to alter the partnership deed was agreed earlier this month. The changes enabled partners to resign with immediate effect without having to serve a notice period.

By Claire Ruckin

3 minute read

September 22, 2010 | International Edition

DLA Piper is set to end its formal relationship with Portuguese firm Miranda Correia Amendoeira & Associados as it looks for a more permanent tie-up in the region. DLA announced today (22 September) that the firms will end their working relationship from 30 November this year, a decision which concludes the formal, non-exclusive tie-up which has been in place since 2004.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

September 22, 2010 | International Edition

Fair or not, the news of impressive 2009-10 financial results from LG was met more with head-scratching than plaudits from the legal industry. With the firm raising its top line 7.6% to £64.9m while increasing profits per equity partner (PEP) 63.7% to £460,000, the question is: what is the secret formula of a firm that hasn't exactly been a pace-setter in recent years? Well, the firm's two highest growth practices in 2009-10 were finance and dispute resolution, with the former growing 38% to £4m and the latter growing 26.7% to produce revenues of £14.7m.

By Claire Ruckin

4 minute read