Friederike Heine

November 08, 2011 | International Edition

Latham & Watkins has become the latest US firm to announce its annual partner promotions, with four London lawyers making the grade out of a global total of 23. The promotions round, which will take effect in the New Year (1 January), also includes 11 of counsel promotions, none of which are in the City.

By Friederike Heine

3 minute read

November 08, 2011 | International Edition

O'Melveny & Myers has agreed a formal association with Indonesian law firm Tumbuan & Partners, with Singapore finance partner Joel Hogarth relocating to Jakarta to manage the relationship. The association, which will focus on high-end corporate, finance and capital markets work, will also see the relocation of O'Melveny senior counsel Ratih Nawangsari, who is currently also based in Singapore.

By Friederike Heine

2 minute read

November 07, 2011 | International Edition

K&L Gates has secured its first presence in South America with the launch of an office in Sao Paulo. Corporate partner Alan Berkeley, who currently divides his time between London and Washington DC, and New York finance partner Marc Veilleux will head up the launch, which marks the US firm's first office in South America and its 39th worldwide.

By Friederike Heine

2 minute read

November 07, 2011 | International Edition

Linklaters, Latham & Watkins and Sullivan & Cromwell are among a raft of firms to have won roles on Virgin Media's inaugural legal panel. The new panel, which will take effect from next year, also includes Ashurst and US firm Fried Frank, both of which are existing advisers to the company.

By Friederike Heine

2 minute read

November 04, 2011 | International Edition

Allen & Overy (A&O), Herbert Smith and Ashurst have taken roles on Virgin Money's £1bn bid for Northern Rock, the retail bank that was nationalised in 2008 after becoming one of the most high-profile UK casualties of the financial crisis. Virgin Money, part of Richard Branson's Virgin Group business conglomerate, has instructed longstanding adviser A&O on the bid. The magic circle firm is fielding a team led by corporate chief Andrew Ballheimer.

By Friederike Heine

2 minute read

November 02, 2011 | International Edition

Linklaters and Latham & Watkins have taken lead roles on Unilever's €390m (£343m) acquisition of an 82% stake in Russian beauty company Concern Kalina. Linklaters took the lead for Unilever with a team led by Moscow managing partner John Goodwin. Slaughter and May has traditionally been Unilever's primary corporate adviser; however, the consumer goods company has also turned to Linklaters for several mandates in Russia in the past.

By Friederike Heine

2 minute read

November 02, 2011 | International Edition

White & Case is gearing up for a comprehensive review of many of its regional and practice group heads worldwide. The review, which comes after firmwide chair Hugh Verrier was re-elected earlier this year, is expected to see many of the management positions changing hands, although each will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

By Friederike Heine

2 minute read

November 02, 2011 | International Edition

Reed Smith has added a shipping partner to its City base with the hire of the latest partner to exit legacy firm Barlow Lyde & Gilbert. Jeb Clulow joined Reed Smith's London office this Tuesday (1 November) – the same day that Barlows' merger with Clyde & Co went live – along with senior associate Lyall Hickson. Clulow, who was a partner in Barlows' marine energy and trade group, specialises in shipping and trade disputes. He was made up to partner in the firm's May 2009 promotions round and has worked with clients including Steamship Mutual, UK Club and Swedish Club.

By Friederike Heine

2 minute read

November 02, 2011 | International Edition

Field Fisher Waterhouse has become one of the first major UK law firms to turn to cloud computing in an effort to modernise its IT systems and cut costs. The firm has partnered with technology provider Virtustream, which now owns all of Field Fisher's IT hardware and is fully responsible for its maintenance.

By Friederike Heine

3 minute read

November 02, 2011 | International Edition

Colt Technology Services has sent out pitch requests to more than 10 law firms with a view to rationalising its European law firm panel. The review, which is being led by longstanding legal director Robin Saphra, will see no more than six firms appointed to advise across a number of practice areas including corporate, intellectual property (IP) and technology.

By Friederike Heine

2 minute read