Claire Ruckin

February 04, 2011 | International Edition

Pinsent Masons has boosted its regulatory capabilities ahead of the implementation of the Bribery Act with the hire of Winston & Strawn partner Barry Vitou. Vitou joined the UK firm's London office as a partner earlier this week from the City arm of Winston, where he headed up the regulatory and technology practice. He will work closely with Pinsents' outsourcing technology and commercial group head Clive Seddon.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

February 03, 2011 | International Edition

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has secured a high-profile prosecution against a former Dresdner investment banker for insider dealing, in the latest crackdown on market abuse by the City regulator. Christian Littlewood has been sentenced to three years and four months in prison for eight counts of insider trading which occurred between 2000 and 2008 during his employment at Dresdner and most recently Shore Capital. During this time he accrued a total of £590,000 in relation to the charged offences.

By Claire Ruckin

3 minute read

February 03, 2011 | International Edition

LG's highest-paid member received £695,000 in 2009-10 - a 46% increase on the previous year's top figure, according to the firm's latest limited liability partnership (LLP) accounts. The Companies House filings reveal that firm's best-paid member took home £220,000 more than the previous year, as profits per equity partner rose 64% to £460,000 alongside an 8% turnover increase. During the year LG reduced its net debt carried forward by 63% to £5.1m, compared to £14m the previous year, while cash at bank and in hand more than tripled to £4.5m, up from £1.3m. The firm's operating profit rose by 32% to £24.6m.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

February 02, 2011 | International Edition

Legacy Hammonds has abandoned the restrictive policy that left its equity partners with only two days each year on which to resign following its transatlantic tie-up with Squire Sanders & Dempsey. The firm amended its partnership deed when the merger went live earlier this month, allowing partners to resign whenever they wish – although they will still be required to serve a six-month notice period.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

February 02, 2011 | International Edition

DLA Piper has set out a global framework for new client instructions as the firm prepares for a comprehensive review of its client base as part of its latest strategic plan. All partners were given details of the framework last month as part of a bid to create a cohesive approach to client wins and conflict management. New clients will have to commit to a minimum annual legal spend with the firm, understood to be around €25,000 (£21,000) in the first year of instruction for clients of DLA Piper International where there is no potential conflict and €100,000 (£86,000) for those where there could be a conflict.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

February 02, 2011 | International Edition

Olswang is launching an office in Paris with the hire of Dechert's local banking and finance head, as well as bulking up in Madrid with a double partner hire from Bird & Bird. The firm is set to launch in Paris in the coming weeks after hiring Stephan Alamowitch to head up the office. He will be joined by Dechert tax of counsel Julien Monsenego, who is joining Olswang as a partner. In addition, corporate partners Guillaume Kessler and Vanina Paologgi and litigation partner Geraldine Roche are joining from French boutique Henri Brandford-Griffith.

By Claire Ruckin

3 minute read

February 02, 2011 | International Edition

Skadden has won victory for a group of TNK-BP shareholders by obtaining an injunction to halt BP's alliance with Russian oil giant Rosneft. The US firm's litigation and arbitration head David Kavanagh and disputes associate Adam Baradon advised the Alfa-Access-Renova (AAR) consortium, which owns 50% of joint venture TNK-BP, on its efforts to block the planned Rosneft partnership. The AAR group, a longstanding client of Skadden, represents the interests of a group of Russian oligarchs.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

February 02, 2011 | International Edition

Sullivan & Cromwell has boosted its City finance team with the hire of Presley Warner from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. Finance partner Warner is set to join the US firm's London arm after 16 years at Freshfields. He joined the magic circle firm in 1995, making partner in 2000.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

February 01, 2011 | International Edition

LG and Pinsent Masons have expanded their respective partner ranks with two hires in the City. Pinsents has appointed Virginie Colaiuta as a partner in its international arbitration team in London. She joins from the Paris arm of US firm Hughes Hubbard & Reed.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

January 31, 2011 | International Edition

The implementation of the UK Bribery Act has been delayed, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has confirmed today (31 January). The Act was scheduled to be implemented in April this year, but will now be pushed back until guidance has been published and distributed to businesses to allow them to prepare and adapt for the new regime. The Act will now come into effect three months after the guidance has been published, although the MoJ has not yet committed to a precise date.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read