Friederike Heine

September 02, 2011 | International Edition

The College of Law has launched a strategic review which could ultimately lead to the sale of one of the UK's top law schools. The College, which was incorporated as a charity by Royal Charter in 1975 and is overseen by a board of governors, is in the process of reviewing its strategic options, it has been confirmed. News of the College's review was first revealed by legal website RollOnFriday. A sale would mean that the College, which has a turnover of around £75m, which would lose its status as a charity.

By Friederike Heine

3 minute read

September 02, 2011 | International Edition

Linklaters competition partner Carsten Grave has decided to remain with the magic circle law firm nearly two months after it was announced that he would join Mayer Brown's practice in Cologne. The news comes after the US law firm last month announced the closure of its Berlin and Cologne offices, with Mayer Brown set to launch an office in Duesseldorf at the start of 2012.

By Friederike Heine

2 minute read

August 31, 2011 | International Edition

Baker & McKenzie, Greenberg Traurig Maher (GTM) and Reed Smith are among a raft of firms to have been approached by Investec about the possibility of receiving external investment from the bank in order to take advantage of the Legal Services Act (LSA). Other firms to have been contacted by the South African bank include London funds boutique MJ Hudson, which was founded last year by former Proskauer Rose London managing partner Matthew Hudson.

By Friederike Heine

2 minute read

August 25, 2011 | International Edition

Debevoise & Plimpton is set to roll out a mini-MBA scheme for first-year associates in its London and New York offices. From this September, all first-year associates in Debevoise's two main offices will receive four weeks of intensive training in how to solve legal problems in a business context, as well as receiving an insight into the perspective of the US firm's client base.

By Friederike Heine

2 minute read

August 24, 2011 | International Edition

Linklaters' US structured finance and derivatives chief Gary Barnett has left the firm to take a newly-created role at the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Barnett - who has spent seven years at the magic circle firm since joining in 2004 from Shearman & Sterling - has been appointed to head up the Division of Swap Dealer and Intermediary Oversight, a new subdivision of the CFTC charged with policing complex securities.

By Friederike Heine

2 minute read

August 23, 2011 | International Edition

Ashurst corporate partner Tom Mercer has begun a two-year secondment at the Takeover Panel, becoming the latest City partner to take up a role at the regulator. Mercer, who is based in London and was promoted to Ashurst's partnership earlier this year, has been appointed by the panel as a new secretary for a period of two years beginning next month (12 September).

By Friederike Heine

2 minute read

August 23, 2011 | International Edition

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Slaughter and May and Gibson Dunn & Crutcher have taken lead roles on private equity group CVC Capital Partners' acquisition of a controlling stake in Virgin Active. Freshfields advised the acquirers on the deal, which values the fitness chain at around £900m. The magic circle firm fielded a team led by London corporate partners Tim Wilmot and Chris Bown.

By Friederike Heine

2 minute read

August 22, 2011 | International Edition

Howard Kennedy has promoted two lawyers to its partnership in the firm's latest promotions round, which will take effect next month (1 September). Employment lawyer Naylah Hamour and finance solicitor Samantha Hook will both join the partnership, bringing the total number of partners at the firm to 62.

By Friederike Heine

2 minute read

August 19, 2011 | International Edition

Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom is set to relocate senior City-based M&A partner John Adebiyi to Hong Kong in response to the loss of three corporate partners in the region to US rival Kirkland & Ellis.

By Friederike Heine

2 minute read

August 19, 2011 | International Edition

Fried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson has made up one new partner in the City as part of a six-strong global promotions round. Private equity lawyer Laura Brunnen joins the partnership in London as one of only two new partners outside Fried Frank's New York headquarters, alongside Hong Kong capital markets lawyer Joshua Coleman.

By Friederike Heine

2 minute read