Claire Ruckin

August 31, 2010 | International Edition

Herbert Smith's former senior partner David Gold has been appointed by the US Department of Justice (DoJ) to act as a corporate monitor of BAE Systems. The position was approved by the US Attorney General's office yesterday (30 August) and will see Gold act in an independent capacity to assess and monitor BAE's compliance with a plea bargain agreement it entered into with the DoJ earlier this year. The appointment takes effect form 1 September and will last for a minimum of three years, during which time Gold will commit at least three days a month to the role.

By Claire Ruckin

3 minute read

August 27, 2010 | International Edition

Kingsley Napley has expanded its family team with the hire of Michael Rowlands from Cripps Harries Hall. Rowlands joined the firm earlier this month as a partner in the family and private client team, bringing the total number of partners in the group to six. He will work closely alongside family practice head Jane Keir. Rowlands, a trained mediator and collaborative lawyer, focuses on mid to high net worth claims arising from divorce or cohabitation breakdown and complex disputes involving children.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

August 27, 2010 | International Edition

Slaughter and May, Wragge & Co and Eversheds have taken lead roles on AMF Bowling's £27m acquisition of tenpin bowling rival Hollywood Bowl. Slaughters advised longstanding client AMF on the £27m purchase from Mitchells & Butlers, which owns a large portfolio of entertainment venues around the UK. The transaction creates one of the UK's largest tenpin bowling companies, with annual sales of more than £60m.

By Claire Ruckin

3 minute read

August 26, 2010 | International Edition

McGrigors has bulked up its ranks across the UK with 15 new recruits, including a contentious construction team from Hammonds. The 10-strong team joins McGrigors as part a total of 12 recent hires for the firm's Manchester office. The Hammonds team includes partners David Moss, Paul Giles and Richard Anderson. Moss, Hammonds' former international head of construction, handed in his notice at the end of March this year, on one of only two days each year on which equity partners are able to resign from the firm.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

August 25, 2010 | International Edition

Hammonds is in advanced stages of merger talks with US firm Squire Sanders & Dempsey. Management at the two firms have held discussions about a merger over recent months, with the plan announced to their respective partnerships today (25 August). The process is currently in the due diligence stage, with the intention of confirming the merger on 1 January 2011 if the talks proceed successfully.

By Claire Ruckin

3 minute read

August 20, 2010 | International Edition

Nabarro and Slaughter and May have advised on the new Arsenal Fanshare scheme, which will see portions of shares in the club made available to supporters at affordable prices. Nabarro was first instructed in 2008 by the Arsenal Supporters' Trust to structure the scheme, which will allow fans to pool money and own units of shares which would normally be out of the financial reach of the average supporter. Arsenal has approximately 62,000 shares currently trading at £10,000 each, but the Fanshare scheme will enable individuals to put in anything from £10 to £1,000 a month, with a minimum total payment of £100 for one 'fanshare'.

By Claire Ruckin

3 minute read

August 19, 2010 | International Edition

Birmingham's Shakespeare Putsman and 17-partner Nottingham firm Berryman are set to merge, creating a £30m Midlands practice. The tie-up, which will take place on 1 November, will create a new firm employing 440 staff across the East and West Midlands, including almost 60 partners. The deal follows Shakespeare Putsman's merger with Stratford-based firm Needham & James this July, which formed a firm with combined revenues of £24m.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

August 19, 2010 | International Edition

HBJ Gateley Wareing has signed up for new office space in Manchester following the acquisition of 200 staff and lawyers from the now-defunct Halliwells. HBJ Gateley is set to move from its current location at 3 Hardman Square - where it has operated since its Manchester launch at the end of July - to Ship Canal House on King Street.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

August 18, 2010 | International Edition

Eversheds spinoff firm Fairfax Solicitors has appointed a new chief operating officer with a senior hire from GE Money. Gary Marshall joined the firm earlier in the summer from GE, where he was responsible for collections operating. He has also formerly worked at both Citibank and Diners Club.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

August 16, 2010 | International Edition

Scots firm Tods Murray has elected Graham Burnside as its new chairman, succeeding current incumbent Ian McPake. Banking and finance head Burnside will take up his new role on 1 October following a contested election involving one other candidate. He succeeds McPake, who will retire from the partnership on 30 September after 20 years as a partner, including the last four as chairman.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read