Claire Ruckin

July 02, 2010 | International Edition

Beachcroft has deferred a number of trainees who were due to start their training contract at the firm this September. Ten of the 29 trainees from the firm's September intake have agreed to defer for one year, while four more are likely to take paralegal roles - including one in Auckland and another with a Beachcroft client - before commencing their training contract in one year's time.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

July 01, 2010 | International Edition

Pannone has launched an office in London, establishing a corporate crime offering with a double partner hire. Zia Ullah and Sara Teasdale have joined the northwest firm's new City base as partners to establish a crime, fraud and regulatory practice.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

June 30, 2010 | International Edition

Existing and former Halliwells partners may find themselves jointly liable for around £10m owed to the national firm's banks as it moves to thrash out a deal to transfer the business. Halliwells' banks collectively lent partners around £10m to fund capital contributions, which the law firm confirmed it is unable to pay back. Usually a law firm undertakes to pay the loan - which is taken out by partners and put into the firm on entering the equity - back to the bank on the partner's departure. However, lenders could now turn to individual partners to recover what they are owed.

By Claire Ruckin

4 minute read

June 30, 2010 | International Edition

Eversheds has signed a deal which could eventually see all of the firm's lawyers using Apple iPads. The UK top 10 firm has entered into a two-month pilot scheme dubbed 'Eversheds Anywhere' which has seen 50 lawyers and staff issued with an iPad. If the pilot is successful the scheme could be rolled out across the firm.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

June 28, 2010 | International Edition

Halliwells finance litigation partner duo David Pacey and Richard Clayton have left the firm to join TLT's recently-established City practice.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

June 28, 2010 | International Edition

Herbert Smith has become one of just a few firms to reveal a slight increase in both turnover and profits per equity partner (PEP) for the 2009-10 financial year.

By Claire Ruckin

1 minute read

June 23, 2010 | International Edition

Pinsent Masons has unveiled a £100,000 jump in profits per equity partner (PEP) as the top 20 UK law firm becomes the latest to reveal its financial results for the 2009-10 financial year. Pinsents' profits increased by 32% to £410,000 over the last financial year, up from £310,000 during the 2008-09.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

June 22, 2010 | International Edition

Olswang has formed an alliance with US law firm Cooley, with the pair set to boost referrals going forward. Olswang has agreed a non-exclusive alliance with the West Coast tech leader, following discussions between Olswang chief executive David Stewart and senior partner Mark Devereux and Cooley chief executive Joe Conroy and chairman Stephen Neal, which kicked off six months ago.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

June 22, 2010 | International Edition

Eversheds has instructed Accenture to review its systems and processes in a move that could lead to a new round of redundancies at the firm. The UK top 10 law firm brought in the consultancy at the beginning of the year to look at ways to streamline and improve back office finance and HR systems. Accenture will present a number of options to Eversheds' management over the summer, with a decision set to be made later this year.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

June 22, 2010 | International Edition

Bird & Bird has decided not to pursue plans to convert to a legal disciplinary practice (LDP) after difficulties with local regulations in some countries where it practises. The UK top 15 law firm was in discussions at the end of last year to add a number of additional lawyers to its partnership, but has opted against altering its structure after coming up against difficulties with Bar rules in other jurisdictions where it operates.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read