Gerard Starkey

September 19, 2013 | International Edition

For disgruntled lawyers increasingly worried about whether they will ever join the hallowed ranks of their firm's equity partnership, DWF and Wragge & Co are helpful case studies on the sometimes polarised attitudes of legal sector employers. DWF has gatecrashed the UK top 20 following a spurt of mergers, including the pre-pack purchase of Cobbetts, but it has the lowest equity partner proportion of any firm in the top 50. Out of an average partner number last year of 285, only 59 held equity, just 21% of the partnership.

By Gerard Starkey

10 minute read

August 16, 2013 | International Edition

Shoosmiths is preparing to launch a new legal apprenticeship scheme next month in association with the CILEx Law School. The firm is looking to recruit a group of around 2-4 people which hold the equivalent of three A-Levels graded A-C who will work in its recoveries service practice group based at its Northampton office. The successful candidates will enrol on the two-year Debt Recovery and Insolvency pathway of the Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship with the training delivered and assessed by CILEx Law School.

By Gerard Starkey

2 minute read

August 14, 2013 | International Edition

Eversheds and Travers Smith both advised on KPMG's planned London relocation from Salisbury Square to 30 North Colonnade in Canary Wharf. From 2015, KPMG will occupy 200,000 sq ft across the top eight floors of the building, which is owned in a joint venture by Fimalac and Hearst Corporation. Approximately 1,100 staff will be relocating to Canary Wharf to work alongside the 5,000 staff that is already based next door at 15 Canada Square.

By Gerard Starkey

2 minute read

August 14, 2013 | International Edition

Holman Fenwick Willan, Field Fisher Waterhouse and Bird & Bird have all announced the details of their autumn trainee intakes, as more details of UK top 50 retention rates continue to emerge. Holman Fenwick is retaining 100% of its trainees after offering all 15 associate positions with the firm. Six of those are to be based in overseas offices including Geneva, Piraeus, Dubai, Hong Kong and Singapore.

By Gerard Starkey

2 minute read

August 14, 2013 | International Edition

Addleshaw Goddard is to launch a legal apprenticeship scheme this autumn linked to its rapidly expanding Transactional Services Team (TST). Based at Addleshaws' TST base in Manchester, the scheme will lead to an National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship in Legal Services with those successful going on to score full-time roles. The firm has made ten spaces available in the first year's intake and is currently adverting through schools, colleges and recruitment agencies to students completing A-Levels or an equivalent qualification this summer.

By Gerard Starkey

3 minute read

August 13, 2013 | International Edition

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, Allen & Overy and Linklaters have all landed major roles as private equity house CVC Capital Partners attempt to tie-up a deal for the European activities of Campbell Soup Company for a reported €400m (£344m). CVC this week revealed it is in 'exclusive final negotiations' to acquire Campbell Europe which primarily covers Belgium, France, Germany, Sweden and Finland. Campbell Soup's UK activities do not form part of the deal. A Cleary team consisting of Brussels partners Laurent Legein and Jacques Reding, Paris partner Jean-Marie Ambrosi and London partner David Billington (finance) are advising CVC.

By Gerard Starkey

2 minute read

August 12, 2013 | International Edition

Bond Dickinson has launched a redundancy consultation which could see up to 7% of its support staff made redundant. According to the firm, Bond Dickinson is currently discussing a proposal to review its support teams following a duplication of roles brought about as a result of the 1 May merger between legacy firms Bond Pearce and Dickinson Dees. Should the proposal be accepted, around 7% of support staff would lose their jobs, with the firm confirming that voluntary redundancy enhancements have been offered to all affected staff.

By Gerard Starkey

2 minute read

August 12, 2013 | International Edition

Hill Dickinson is to open an office in Hong Kong in association with a local law firm after receiving clearance from the region's authorities. The office, which is due to open in October, will become the firm's second base in Asia following the launch of its Singapore base in 2009 and will focus on marine-related work. Hill Dickinson has agreed terms with a local firm but, due to a confidentiality agreement, is unable to reveal its identity until the association is finalised in the coming weeks.

By Gerard Starkey

2 minute read

August 12, 2013 | International Edition

Macfarlanes has strengthened its commercial real estate practice with the hire of former Linklaters construction partner Ann Minogue from Ashurst. Top-rated Minogue joins Macfarlanes after four years at Ashurst, where she headed up the firm's City construction practice.

By Gerard Starkey

2 minute read

August 08, 2013 | International Edition

Addleshaw Goddard's Hong Kong office is to enter into a formal association with a new local law firm headed up by partners from Minter Ellison and DLA Piper. The new firm, Stewien & Co, will be led by DLA Piper corporate partner Brett Stewien and Minters litigation and employment head Nigel Francis.

By Gerard Starkey

3 minute read