Claire Ruckin

April 21, 2010 | International Edition

Denton Wilde Sapte has sealed a deal with a major insurer placing it among the few major law firms with authority to broker after-the-event (ATE) insurance for litigation clients. The top 20 UK firm signed a deal with FirstAssist Legal Protection giving the firm delegated authority to set up insurance for an unlimited number of cases across fields including property, professional negligence, construction and general commercial litigation.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

April 21, 2010 | International Edition

Hammonds has won a lead role advising on the £100m sale of a majority stake in luxury retailer Cath Kidston to private equity house TA Associates. The deal, which closed at the end of last month (30 March), saw corporate partner and client relationship manager Nick Allen advise the shareholders of Cath Kidston on the sale following a tender process involving a number of firms.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

April 21, 2010 | International Edition

DLA Piper is set to overhaul the financial management of its UK and international offices, moving to a separate year-end from the US for all budgeting and partner profits reviews. DLA Piper's UK, Asia, Middle East and continental Europe offices will now work to a separate financial year-end in April, while the firm's US offices remain on a calendar year. This will shift budgeting, partner promotions and reviews of profit allocations for the UK/international practice to the end of April.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

April 21, 2010 | International Edition

Addleshaw Goddard is considering handing more power to its salaried partners by giving them voting rights on some aspects of the firm's management. The national law firm is kicking off a governance review in the coming weeks in a bid to update its internal structures and is looking into extending the voting rights of its partners beyond the equity.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

April 21, 2010 | International Edition

Walker Morris is set to conduct a management overhaul abolishing the chairman position to return to a dual management structure of non-executive chairman and managing partner. Long-serving chairman Peter Smart, one of Yorkshire's best-known corporate lawyers, is set to stand down next month after nine years at the helm of Yorkshire leader when his third term as chairman comes to an end.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

April 21, 2010 | International Edition

Hammonds has promoted eight lawyers to its partnership in its latest promotion round, with none making the grade in the City. The firm's Manchester office receives the lion's share with three promotions, while elsewhere in the UK, Birmingham and Leeds gain one new partner apiece.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

April 19, 2010 | International Edition

Eversheds has made up 19 lawyers in its annual promotions round, with eleven of the new partners based in the firm's international offices. The firm's Germany office receives the lion's share, with four made up in Munich, while Birmingham receives the second-largest amount with three promoted.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

April 16, 2010 | International Edition

Bird & Bird has made up 10 lawyers in its annual promotions round, with just one joining the partnership in the City. The firm's office in The Hague has received the most promotions with three made up. Eggo Jan Rietema, Roelien van Neck, Manon Rieger-Jansen join the partnership in disputes, commercial and intellectual property respectively. Elsewhere, dispute resolution lawyer Jonathan Speed has been promoted in London, while the firm's Italy practice receives two new partners with banking and finance lawyers Stefano Febbi and Danilo Quattrocchi made up in Milan and Rome respectively.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

April 16, 2010 | International Edition

BAA has completed a tender process to cut back the number of external firms it uses, with seven appointed to the airport operator's first formal legal panel. Magic circle duo Allen & Overy and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer have been appointed to the roster alongside Herbert Smith, Pinsent Masons, Blake Lapthorn and Scots duo McGrigors and Brodies.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

April 14, 2010 | International Edition

Mishcon de Reya has bolstered its corporate team with the hire of Dean Poster from Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe. Poster joined the London law firm as a partner this week (12 April) and will work alongside Mishcons' head of corporate Nick Davis, focusing on cross-border M&A and corporate real estate work.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read