Georgina Stanley

July 20, 2011 | Legal Week

It may have taken News International and the Metropolitan Police far too long to take allegations of widespread phone-hacking by now-defunct Sunday tabloid the News of the World (NoW) seriously, but they are certainly making up for lost time now. With the ongoing saga seeing senior figures stand down on a daily basis, the story is moving so fast that articles are out of date almost as soon as they are published. But what doesn't look likely to change quickly are the huge potential legal ramifications facing Rupert Murdoch's empire, both here in the UK and in the US, with the company facing the real possibility of substantial civil litigation claims from victims and shareholders, as well as criminal proceedings.

By Georgina Stanley

17 minute read

July 20, 2011 | International Edition

It may have taken News International and the Metropolitan Police far too long to take allegations of widespread phone-hacking by now-defunct Sunday tabloid the News of the World (NoW) seriously, but they are certainly making up for lost time now. With the ongoing saga seeing senior figures stand down on a daily basis, the story is moving so fast that articles are out of date almost as soon as they are published. But what doesn't look likely to change quickly are the huge potential legal ramifications facing Rupert Murdoch's empire, both here in the UK and in the US, with the company facing the real possibility of substantial civil litigation claims from victims and shareholders, as well as criminal proceedings.

By Georgina Stanley

4 minute read

July 13, 2011 | International Edition

On the face of it there are very few parallels between Clifford Chance (CC) and SNR Denton right now, with CC's average profits per equity partner standing around the £1m mark, while those at legacy Dentons lag behind its City peers at just £232,000. But in one respect the pair are taking a very similar approach, with both firms currently planning to hold some of their exiting partners to all, or most, of their notice periods.

By Georgina Stanley

4 minute read

July 13, 2011 | Legal Week

On the face of it there are very few parallels between Clifford Chance (CC) and SNR Denton right now, with CC's average profits per equity partner standing around the £1m mark, while those at legacy Dentons lag behind its City peers at just £232,000. But in one respect the pair are taking a very similar approach, with both firms currently planning to hold some of their exiting partners to all, or most, of their notice periods.

By Georgina Stanley

41 minute read

July 06, 2011 | International Edition

Habitat, Thorntons, Jane Norman, AllSaints… in recent weeks restructuring activity has been all about the high street and, with the possible exception of DLA Piper, which has worked on a string of high-profile mandates for struggling stores, there seem to have been very few winners. The last few weeks alone have seen DLA and Maclay Murray & Spens appointed on the pre-pack and sale of struggling fashion chain Jane Norman; Linklaters and Salans brought in on the administration of Habitat and sale of its UK brand to Home Retail Group; and Shoosmiths mandated to advise chocolate maker Thorntons on a strategic review set to result in up to 180 shops closing across the UK.

By Georgina Stanley

4 minute read

July 06, 2011 | Legal Week

Habitat, Thorntons, Jane Norman, AllSaints… in recent weeks restructuring activity has been all about the high street and, with the possible exception of DLA Piper, which has worked on a string of high-profile mandates for struggling stores, there seem to have been very few winners. The last few weeks alone have seen DLA and Maclay Murray & Spens appointed on the pre-pack and sale of struggling fashion chain Jane Norman; Linklaters and Salans brought in on the administration of Habitat and sale of its UK brand to Home Retail Group; and Shoosmiths mandated to advise chocolate maker Thorntons on a strategic review set to result in up to 180 shops closing across the UK.

By Georgina Stanley

17 minute read

June 22, 2011 | International Edition

Lauded as one of the most promising mid-market players in the UK until recently, Addleshaw Goddard has run into the unfamiliar ground of poor growth and internal tensions. Georgina Stanley and Simon Petersen ask if the firm can regain that old polish

By Georgina Stanley

25 minute read

June 01, 2011 | Legal Week

If proof was needed that old-fashioned partnership culture is alive and well in the City despite waves of partner culls and de-equitisations, then look no further than the case of Hogan Lovells' litigator Christopher Grierson and his alleged £1m expenses scam. Previously best known for working on the epic Bank of England/BCCI creditors dispute, his name will now forever be linked in legal circles with the shocking achievement of wrongfully claiming more than £1m in expenses over a four-year period, according to his former firm.

By Georgina Stanley

15 minute read

June 01, 2011 | International Edition

If proof was needed that old-fashioned partnership culture is alive and well in the City despite waves of partner culls and de-equitisations, then look no further than the case of Hogan Lovells' litigator Christopher Grierson and his alleged £1m expenses scam. Previously best known for working on the epic Bank of England/BCCI creditors dispute, his name will now forever be linked in legal circles with the shocking achievement of wrongfully claiming more than £1m in expenses over a four-year period, according to his former firm.

By Georgina Stanley

4 minute read

May 25, 2011 | International Edition

Last month Clifford Chance (CC) private equity veteran James Baird retired from the firm after more than 25 years as a partner. Clearly the departure is unlikely to spell anything like disaster for a buyout practice as dominant as CC's, but it has certainly got the private equity sewing circle talking. And, no doubt, hoping for opportunities to tighten links with some of Baird's clients, such as CVC.

By Georgina Stanley

4 minute read