Gerard Starkey

May 02, 2013 | International Edition

Newly merged Bond Dickinson is planning to revamp its partnership into a single two-tier structure as the firm's management pushes ahead with the integration of legacy firms Bond Pearce and Dickinson Dees. The union, which went live on Wednesday (1 May), will see the firm adopt Dickinson Dees' two-tier partnership rather than Bond Pearce's three-tier structure, with the merged firm to operate a full equity and junior equity rank with a modified lockstep. A final decision on the move is expected later this year, but it is likely to see Bond Pearce's 25 fixed-share members, who are effectively salaried partners, join either the junior or full equity rank.

By Gerard Starkey

3 minute read

May 02, 2013 | International Edition

Mergers may not be particularly unusual in today's market, but this week's union between Bond Pearce and Dickinson Dees under the Bond Dickinson banner marks a rare example of a merger of equals. With strikingly similar financial results, a brand that namechecks both firms' histories, complementary sector focuses and almost symmetrical UK coverage – Bond Pearce in the southwest and Dickinson Dees in the northeast – it almost seems surprising the pair did not tie up sooner.

By Gerard Starkey

6 minute read

May 02, 2013 | International Edition

DLA Piper has made up 34 new partners across its offices around the world - including two London lawyers - marking a fall of more than 40% on the total of 58 promoted at the firm last year. A total of four new partners have been made up in the UK, down from 12 last year, with this year's quartet including City duo Lee McGuirk (intellectual property) and Julie Romer (finance) along with Kirsty Allerton (finance) in Leeds and Rob McKie (corporate) in Sheffield.

By Gerard Starkey

4 minute read

May 02, 2013 | International Edition

Eversheds has elected Ireland managing partner Alan Murphy as the new chairman of its international board following the retirement of predecessor David Gray. The members of Eversheds International - which comprises the managing partners of all the firms within its international network - unanimously voted in Murphy (pictured) at a meeting in Stockholm last Thursday (25 April). The role has a four-year term.

By Gerard Starkey

2 minute read

May 01, 2013 | International Edition

DLA Piper has launched a strategic alliance with Indonesian law firm Ivan Almaida Baely & Firmansyah (IAB&F), as the global firm looks to step up its presence in the booming economic region. According to its website, the Jakarta-based firm has two partners, including founding member Ivan Baely and offers services to international and domestic corporations, investors and state owned enterprises.

By Gerard Starkey

2 minute read

May 01, 2013 | International Edition

Clyde & Co and Dundas & Wilson have both announced their annual partner promotions, with the number of new partners at Clydes falling 50% this year. The seven promotions at Clydes is half the 14 made up by the firm last year, in its first promotion round following the merger with legacy Barlow Lyde and Gilbert.

By Gerard Starkey

3 minute read

May 01, 2013 | International Edition

DAC Beachcroft has promoted five lawyers into its partnership as part of the firm's latest promotion round, mirroring the number promoted in 2012. The quintet of new partners include a UK trio comprising London-based James Deacon (litigation) and Manchester's Craig Godding and Birmingham's Daniel Abbey (both claim solutions).

By Gerard Starkey

2 minute read

April 30, 2013 | International Edition

DLA Piper has added two partners to its London corporate practice with the double hire of Rob Salter and Anu Balasubramanian from Berwin Leighton Paisner and Kirkland & Ellis respectively. Salter, who is expected to join DLA in September, makes the move after nine years at BLP, where he made partner in 2006 after training at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.

By Gerard Starkey

2 minute read

April 30, 2013 | International Edition

Eversheds, CMS and Watson Farley & Williams have all announced their annual partner promotions, with this year's round at Eversheds marking an increase of almost 30% on the firm's 2012 round. Eversheds has made up a total of 28 lawyers around the world this year, including 10 in the UK, a significant increase on last year's 22-strong round.

By Gerard Starkey

5 minute read

April 29, 2013 | International Edition

Hill Dickinson is launching a review of its UK business which is expected to lead to job cuts, as the firm prepares to post broadly flat revenues for the 2012-13 financial year. The review, which will begin next month, will focus on the firm's range of services and its geographical reach, with the move coming in response to "prevailing market conditions", according to the firm.

By Gerard Starkey

3 minute read