Claire Ruckin

September 08, 2010 | International Edition

Halliwells has gone from sustaining blistering growth for a decade to becoming the largest legal casualty of the recession. Claire Ruckin goes behind the headlines to expose the drama and confusion of the northern giant's collapse...

By Claire Ruckin

33 minute read

September 08, 2010 | International Edition

DLA Piper is conducting a review of its business which for the first time will see DLA Piper International and DLA Piper US share the same three-year strategy. The review is being led by joint chief executive Nigel Knowles and global board chairman Francis Burch, who are currently collaborating with each other and their respective executive boards to formulate the new plan.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

September 01, 2010 | International Edition

The number of defamation cases in the UK courts rose by 6% during 2009-10 after a spike in the number of claims brought by celebrities, new figures have revealed. The research, conducted by Sweet & Maxwell, shows the number of reported defamation cases rose by 6% from 78 in 2008-09 to 83 in 2009-10, with the number of celebrity cases almost trebling from 11 to 30, including high-profile claims brought by stars including Lily Allen, Kate Beckinsale and David Beckham.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

September 01, 2010 | International Edition

Jumeirah Group has announced its new global legal panel, with five firms appointed to the Dubai hotel chain's streamlined roster. Herbert Smith and Weil Gotshal & Manges have won places on the panel following a pitch process, with Clyde & Co, Mayer Brown JSM and Pinsent Masons all reappointed. Jumeirah has chosen to cut back on the number of firms it uses after setting up its first-ever global panel in 2008, which saw six firms appointed to its main roster of advisers, alongside a further six advising on specialist areas or in specific jurisdictions.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

September 01, 2010 | International Edition

Hill Dickinson is examining the role of its outside providers and has launched an outsourcing pilot as part of a cost cutting review being rolled out across the firm. Managing partner Peter Jackson and financial director Colin Wardale launched a review of the firm's practices over the summer in a bid to cut back on expenses. As part of the project, the national firm is attempting to cut money spent on outside providers in areas including training, education and business development resources.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

September 01, 2010 | International Edition

McGrigors has bulked up its ranks across the UK with 15 new recruits, including a contentious construction team hire from Hammonds. The 10-strong team joins McGrigors as part of a total of 12 recent hires for the firm's Manchester office.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

September 01, 2010 | International Edition

Wragge & Co has been appointed as the sole full service legal adviser to electrical group Harvard International. Wragges won the appointment for the AIM-listed company, which owns brands including Goodmans and Grundig, over the summer following a competitive pitch process. The firm will now advise the consumer electronic products company on areas including corporate, commercial and intellectual property (IP) matters.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

September 01, 2010 | International Edition

Squire Sanders & Dempsey chairman Jim Maiwurm is set to become global chairman following its proposed merger with Hammonds, as details of the new firm's framework begin to emerge. The proposed tie-up, announced last week (25 August), would see Maiwurm head the transatlantic firm, with a European chair position also being discussed, likely to be filled by Hammonds managing partner Peter Crossley.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

September 01, 2010 | International Edition

Halliwells partners look set to be asked to repay more than £2m in additional bank loans taken in 2010 as further details of the now-defunct firm's finances and partner liabilities emerge. The firm conducted a voluntary cash call at the beginning of the year which saw 28 partners contribute a total of £2.3m, facilitated by professional practice loans (PPLs) taken out from The Co-operative Bank.

By Claire Ruckin

3 minute read

September 01, 2010 | International Edition

Addleshaw Goddard took out a £14.5m loan and asked partners to contribute £15.6m to the business during the past financial year, the firm's limited liability partnership (LLP) filings have revealed. The figure of £15.6m put into the business compares to a total of just £1.2m contributed by the partnership during 2008-09.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read