Friederike Heine

November 10, 2010 | International Edition

Many of the UK's leading law firms are on course to report increases in revenue over the first half of 2010-11, as the economic recovery continues to gather pace. Allen & Overy (A&O) kicked off the reporting season on Monday (8 November), posting a 3% growth in revenues for the six months ending 31 October.

By Friederike Heine

3 minute read

November 10, 2010 | International Edition

Weil Gotshal & Manges has hired bluechip management consultant McKinsey & Company to review the US law firm's international strategy. The initiative, which is being led by the Wall Street firm's executive partner, Barry Wolf, is an attempt to analyse Weil's current global offering, and to review which jurisdictions to prioritise for expansion. The appointment was first reported by Legal Business.

By Friederike Heine

2 minute read

November 10, 2010 | International Edition

Linklaters' former Asia managing partner Andrew Roberts has been appointed as in-house counsel by energy company Fontenergy. Roberts, who began his career in 1981 as a solicitor at New Zealand firm Bell Gully, joined Linklaters in 1986 and became the magic circle firm's first Asia managing partner in 2000. During this time at the firm, Roberts also spearheaded the development of Linklaters' Middle Eastern practice.

By Friederike Heine

2 minute read

November 09, 2010 | International Edition

Nabarro has become the latest firm to announce its half-year results, posting a 3% rise in turnover for the six-month period. The slight increase brings the firm's H1 revenues to £53.5m, following last year's announcement of a 18% decrease at the same point. The dip was as the time one of the largest recorded among firms to have revealed their half-year results for 2009-10.

By Friederike Heine

2 minute read

November 09, 2010 | International Edition

A raft of firms including Nabarro, Herbert Smith and Eversheds have gained lead roles on the planned £4.5bn Brent Cross Cricklewood regeneration scheme, which was signed off by Barnet Council late last month (28 October). Nabarro advised BXC Development Partners - Hammerson and Standard Life Investments - in relation to the planning application for the new town centre, which is expected to bring 27,000 jobs and 7,500 homes.

By Friederike Heine

2 minute read

November 09, 2010 | International Edition

Fewer than one in four partners are in favour of Government proposals to allow universities to charge students up to £9,000 in fees, with the clear majority of senior lawyers believing it will damage efforts to improve social diversity in commercial law. Legal Week's latest Big Question survey has found that 61% of partners believe plans to allow universities to increase fees to almost three times the current annual level will damage diversity, with a further 25% thinking it may have a minor impact.

By Friederike Heine

4 minute read

November 09, 2010 | International Edition

Private equity house Actis has finalised its first-ever Africa panel, with magic circle firm Clifford Chance (CC) and City firm Hogan Lovells both securing an appointment. The firms were appointed in October following a competitive tender process led by Actis' London-based general counsel, Paul Owers.

By Friederike Heine

2 minute read

November 09, 2010 | International Edition

Baker & McKenzie has appointed Madeleine Schachter as global director of pro bono and corporate social responsibility (CSR), with the appointment coming as the firm moves to strengthen its CSR initiatives with clients. In the newly-created role, New York-based partner Schachter will work exclusively on CSR matters, including pro bono work with an emphasis on international humanitarian rights, constitutional law and civil rights issues.

By Friederike Heine

2 minute read

November 05, 2010 | International Edition

US firm King & Spalding has announced its global partner promotions round with the firm's London's office gaining one new partner out of a firmwide tally of eight. US-qualified John Taylor has been promoted from counsel to partner in London. He focuses on US and international taxation, the taxation of financial products, funds, partnerships and M&A.

By Friederike Heine

2 minute read

November 05, 2010 | International Edition

High-profile Clifford Chance (CC) partner Jason Glover is set to join Simpson Thacher & Bartlett in the New Year after months of negotiations over his exit from the magic circle firm. The news emerges four months after it was announced that Simpson Thacher had hired the CC partner to launch a funds practice in the US firm's City office.

By Friederike Heine

2 minute read