Claire Ruckin

February 09, 2011 | International Edition

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has taken a lead role advising the London Stock Exchange (LSE) on its merger with TMX Group, which owns and operates the Toronto Stock Exchange. The magic circle firm is fielding a team led by corporate partners Philip Richards and Andrew Hutchings on the deal, which will combine Europe's and Canada's leading diversified exchange groups.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

February 09, 2011 | International Edition

Former SJ Berwin senior partner David Harrel has been appointed as chairman of outsourcing provider CPA Global, it was announced today (9 February). Harrel succeeds Geoffrey Grime, who has held the role since 2008 and will remain as a member of CPA's board as a non-executive director.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

February 09, 2011 | International Edition

Pinsent Masons has become one of the first leading UK law firms to enter into an exclusive joint venture in China, tying up with newly-created boutique Beijing Hesen Law Firm. The national law firm will formally expand its presence in China next week through the alliance with Beijing Hesen, a spin-off from Qingdao's DeHeng law firm.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

February 08, 2011 | International Edition

Olswang has deferred its September trainee intake and cancelled its 2013 London recruitment round to reduce the firm's trainee numbers due to "changes in client demand". The City firm's September 2011 trainees will now start their contracts in 2012, with the 2012 intake deferred until 2013. Meanwhile, the firm has called off its 2013 London recruitment round, with the next round of training contract vacancies delayed until September 2014 and March 2015. Deferred trainees will be offered the option to study an MA in Law at BPP.

By Claire Ruckin

3 minute read

February 08, 2011 | International Edition

McGrigors managing partner Richard Masters has been re-elected to serve a second term at the helm of the big four Scots firm. Masters will continue in his role as managing partner for a further three years, which will officially begin on 31 March, following an uncontested election.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

February 08, 2011 | International Edition

Eversheds and CMS Cameron McKenna have picked up lead roles advising on the administration and sale of the British School of Motoring (BSM) driving school. The deal saw BSM acquired for £1 through a pre-pack administration by The Automobile Association (AA), with the transaction therefore bringing two of the UK's largest driving schools under one roof.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

February 08, 2011 | International Edition

With top law firms all clamouring to attract new recruits from the same limited pool of candidates, it is easy to judge the leading firms by headline figures such as pay - and there is clearly little distinction on that front. Yet putting aside the debate over which firm offers the most lucrative package, there is a new battleground emerging, with firms standing out due to marked differences in their benefits packages. Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer head of human resources (HR) Kevin Hogarth comments: "Firms have become more savvy in recognising that they all have to remain competitive with each other in terms of what benefits are on offer. If there is a significant difference, it can make a difference to the talent a firm attracts.

By Claire Ruckin

6 minute read

February 08, 2011 | International Edition

Macfarlanes has launched a key client relationship programme in a bid to attract more work from its top clients. The firm has identified around 25 existing clients, including some financial institutions, with whom it hopes to increase work across multiple practices.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

February 08, 2011 | International Edition

Kennedys has been dropped by Tesco for personal injury claims work after the supermarket chain reviewed its relationship with the law firm's insurance team in the wake of its transfer from defunct firm Halliwells. Tesco has opted to send the claims work to Plexus Law, which will share the mandate with existing joint adviser Hill Dickinson, with Kennedys learning of the supermarket's decision earlier this year.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

February 07, 2011 | International Edition

Shoosmiths has added a partner to its asset finance practice with the hire of Melanie Chell from HBJ Gateley Wareing. Chell joined the national firm's Birmingham's office last month as a partner and will lead the asset finance fraud practice, working closely with asset finance head Joanne Davis. The team sits within the firm's lender services group.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read