Claire Ruckin

November 12, 2010 | Law.com

Hammonds and Squire, Sanders & Dempsey are set to start integrating their practices and partner pay after securing the vote of more than 95 percent of their combined partnerships to launch as Squire Sanders Hammonds in the new year. The decision means Hammonds partners will be remunerated entirely on merit by 2013, in keeping with Squire Sanders' existing practice. The move to a fully merit-based system at Squire Sanders Hammonds will begin to be phased in during 2012.

By Claire Ruckin

3 minute read

January 15, 2010 | Law.com

The use of contingency fees in U.K. litigation has emerged as one of the key areas for reform in a new review of civil litigation costs, published Thursday. Lord Justice Jackson has proposed that U.K. lawyers will be allowed, for the first time, to take a slice of their client's damages, acknowledging that the "arguments in favour of contingency fees ... outweigh the arguments against." However, he says safeguards should be introduced to protect clients from any negative impact of contingency fees.

By Claire Ruckin

6 minute read

November 06, 2007 | Law.com

The convention banning U.K. judges from returning to private practice will remain in place after the government Monday issued its long-awaited response to a consultation paper on the controversial subject. The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Jack Straw, said lifting the prohibition would not increase diversity in the judiciary and that the ban would therefore remain in place.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

December 19, 2007 | Law.com

Mishcon de Reya has scored a new client after advising Avram Grant on his new contract as manager of Chelsea Football Club. The relationship, which began after a referral from Grant's Israeli lawyers, saw Mishcon de Reya close out a deal on Dec. 12 worth a reported $5.03 million a year. The role adds to a client list for the London boutique that has previously included a number of football managers alongside celebrities such as Heather Mills and Diana, Princess of Wales.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

May 08, 2009 | Law.com

A four-partner litigation team from Clifford Chance's New York office has left the firm to set up an arbitration boutique. Disputes partners Peter Chaffetz, David Lindsey, Charlie Scibetta and James Hosking have left the Magic Circle firm to launch Chaffetz Lindsey, which officially opened Tuesday. The new firm, which also includes former Clifford Chance counsel Cecilia Moss, will focus on arbitration, reinsurance and litigation work.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

November 27, 2007 | Law.com

Latham & Watkins has launched an Italian law practice and opened in Rome after hiring a five-partner team from Slaughter and May's Italian ally Bonelli Erede Pappalardo. Four attorneys in the new team will join Latham's Milan office, bringing in local M&A, private equity, equity and debt capital markets and banking and finance capabilities. Bonelli's Tommaso Amirante will be based in Rome -- Latham's first office in the city.

By James Illman and Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

October 30, 2007 | Law.com

Italian leader Gianni Origoni Grippo & Partners is to split, with the executive committee and approximately 100 lawyers breaking away to form their own practice. The firm, which has about 350 lawyers in total, is preparing an announcement on the news, which will represent one of the most significant splits of a leading European independent.

By James Illman and Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

January 20, 2011 | Law.com

The U.K. government looks set to reform "no win, no fee" deals in civil litigation following a European ruling that the arrangements risk breaching human rights legislation. A court found that a success fee used by model Naomi Campbell's lawyer breached Mirror Group Newspapers' freedom of expression.

By Claire Ruckin

4 minute read

January 25, 2008 | Law.com

Allen & Overy, Ashurst and Arnold & Porter are finding themselves in the spotlight for their links with Pakistan's government, in the wake of growing unease within the U.K.'s legal profession over the Pakistani regime's clashes with local lawyers. The three law firms have previously advised the Pakistani government, which was recently criticized by the U.K.'s Law Society and Bar Council for the region's escalating political crisis, which has adversely affected the country's legal community.

By Claire Ruckin

3 minute read

November 27, 2007 | National Law Journal

Latham & Watkins has launched an Italian law practice and opened in Rome after hiring a five-partner team from Slaughter and May's Italian ally Bonelli Erede Pappalardo. Four attorneys in the new team will join Latham's Milan office, bringing in local M&A, private equity, equity and debt capital markets and banking and finance capabilities. Bonelli's Tommaso Amirante will be based in Rome -- Latham's first office in the city.

By James Illman and Claire Ruckin

2 minute read