Friederike Heine

February 08, 2011 | International Edition

British Airways (BA) has reshuffled its in-house legal team in the wake of its merger with Spanish airline Iberia, which went live last month (24 January), and its protracted cabin crew dispute. BA general counsel Maria da Cunha, who previously held a position as director of legal and government affairs, has taken up an expanded remit, which includes overseeing the company's human resources (HR) function. Her new title within BA is director of people, legal and government affairs.

By Friederike Heine

2 minute read

February 08, 2011 | International Edition

The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) has appointed its first formal panel of law firms to provide pro bono legal advice. Clifford Chance (CC), Baker & McKenzie, Wragge & Co and Walker Morris have all been appointed to the roster after 21 firms were invited to pitch.

By Friederike Heine

2 minute read

February 08, 2011 | International Edition

DLA Piper has added a partner from CMS Cameron McKenna to its London corporate practice, with the hire coinciding with the departure of two partners from the team - Kiran Sharma and Malcolm MacDougall. Corporate partner Jonathan Lisle will join DLA Piper next week (14 January) from Camerons. He specialises in public M&A with a strong focus on the healthcare sector, having co-founded Camerons' healthcare group.

By Friederike Heine

2 minute read

February 08, 2011 | International Edition

Vinson & Elkins has strengthened its London energy transactions and projects practice with the hire of partner Kimberley Wood from fellow US firm Dewey & LeBoeuf. Wood, who was promoted to Dewey's partnership in this year's promotions round, focuses on energy transactions, with a particular emphasis on oil and gas.

By Friederike Heine

2 minute read

February 07, 2011 | International Edition

Field Fisher Waterhouse has completed the phase-out of its salaried partner rank, the firm's recently-filed limited liability partnership (LLP) accounts have revealed. The filings show that Field Fisher's sole remaining salaried partner retired during the 2009-10 financial year.

By Friederike Heine

2 minute read

February 07, 2011 | International Edition

K&L Gates has boosted its London financial services practice with the hire of the London managing partner of US firm Katten Muchin Rosenman. Martin Cornish, who joined the firm today (7 February), advises hedge funds, commodities and derivatives brokers and dealers and banks on a variety of matters involving funds, financial services regulation and derivatives. Before joining Katten in 2001, Cornish held several in-house roles including a stint at PricewaterhouseCoopers. Before this period, he was a partner at UK firm Simmons & Simmons.

By Friederike Heine

2 minute read

February 04, 2011 | International Edition

Linklaters, SNR Denton and CMS Cameron McKenna are among 13 law firms to have been appointed to supermarket giant Sainsbury's new legal panel following a competitive tender process. Magic circle firm Linklaters has been reappointed as the company's main legal adviser and will advise Sainsbury's on a range of work.

By Friederike Heine

2 minute read

February 04, 2011 | International Edition

Nabarro's Simon Johnston has been re-elected as the firm's senior partner for the third time running, following an uncontested vote which concluded yesterday (3 February). The new term, which will officially begin on 1 May, will run for a further five years. Australian-born Johnston, who made partner in 1990, succeeded David Bramson as senior partner in 2001. At the time, Johnston was the first corporate partner to head the firm and, at the age of 39, the youngest to ever hold the role.

By Friederike Heine

2 minute read

February 03, 2011 | International Edition

Ashurst's top-earning partner made just under £1.1m last year, according to accounts filed this week with Companies House. The £1.07m figure is 12% higher than the top of Ashurst's standard lockstep for 2009-10, which ranged from £362,000 to £940,000. The reason for the £130,000 discrepancy with the top of the lockstep was increased compensation for departing partners.

By Friederike Heine

2 minute read

February 02, 2011 | International Edition

Howrey was this week considering its strategic options as US rival Winston & Strawn moved to take on teams of partners in the US and Europe. Winston is trying to sign deals with individual partners after merger talks between the two firms broke down last month because of conflicts – including an ongoing class action in the US on which the pair are on opposing sides. Winston is understood to have made offers to around 75% of Howrey's partnership since last Sunday (30 January), including all three remaining partners in London and the 10 partners remaining in Brussels, with those approached given 21 days to respond.

By Friederike Heine

3 minute read