Gerard Starkey

April 25, 2013 | International Edition

DWF is set to continue its recent rapid expansion, with a further tie-up in London on the cards as the firm also weighs up its options for international expansion. Managing partner Andrew Leaitherland (pictured) told Legal Week the firm is considering further merger options in the City in the wake of its recent takeover of London professional indemnity firm Fishburns.

By Gerard Starkey

2 minute read

April 25, 2013 | International Edition

Eversheds and Dentons have taken lead roles on the tender process for a £3.1bn deal to upgrade National Grid's UK gas distribution networks. Construction giant Balfour Beatty and a joint venture (JV) between Morrisons and Skanska have both been awarded eight-year contracts by the electricity and gas utility company, with the work getting underway at the start of this month.

By Gerard Starkey

2 minute read

April 25, 2013 | International Edition

Whatever anyone may think about DWF and its ambitious managing partner Andrew Leaitherland, no one could describe either as dull right now. Five quick-fire mergers, including the recent acquisition of failed firm Cobbetts for a knock-down price, have ensured the firm has never strayed far from the headlines over the past 18 months and, according to Leaitherland, the firm has no intention of stopping now.

By Gerard Starkey

5 minute read

April 25, 2013 | International Edition

On 6 December 2012, Cobbetts' managing partner Nick Carr released a confident statement about the firm's financial position, saying: "Our half-year results ensure we remain on target, and new client wins mean that trading predictions for the next six months are strong. We expect to meet our financial targets by year end." Taken in isolation, this statement is no different to the numerous anodyne comments issued on behalf of law firm managers whenever full and half-year financial results are announced.

By Gerard Starkey

25 minute read

April 25, 2013 | International Edition

US industrial conglomerate Tyco has renewed its multi-million pound contract with Eversheds for the fourth time since the ground-breaking deal's inception in 2006. The latest two-year deal, which has previously been reported as being worth around £13m, has been agreed following the separation of Tyco and its Tyco Flow arm, after the latter was acquired by water flow control business Pentair last September.

By Gerard Starkey

2 minute read

April 25, 2013 | International Edition

Mills & Reeve has made up six lawyers to the firm's partnership in its 2013 promotions round, following the confirmation of its merger with Manchester firm George Davies. The promotions will come into effect on 1 June, the date the tie-up between the two firms is due to go live after partners gave the deal the green light.

By Gerard Starkey

2 minute read

April 25, 2013 | International Edition

Former Cobbetts partner Andrew Wright has been appointed to the failed firm's creditors' committee, as questions over money allegedly owed to partners begin to emerge in the wake of the firm's demise. Wright, who left Cobbetts for Canadian law firm Gowlings in March last year, is understood to be owed in the region of £350,000.

By Gerard Starkey

3 minute read

April 24, 2013 | International Edition

Partners at Mills & Reeve and Manchester firm George Davies have voted in favour of a merger that will create a £77m law firm. The merger, which will go live on 1 June, will trade under the Mills & Reeve brand, with 16 partners and 89 other staff housed at 1 New York Street where both firms lease offices.

By Gerard Starkey

2 minute read

April 22, 2013 | International Edition

Pinsent Masons has made up 14 lawyers to its partnership in its latest promotions round, one more than the firm made up last year. The 2013 promotions, which are effective from 1 May, include three London partners, four Scotland-based lawyers and three from the firm's Asia offices.

By Gerard Starkey

2 minute read

April 18, 2013 | International Edition

Eversheds and Wragge & Co have advised on a deal that will see the development of a £450m science and innovation campus at Swansea University. Regeneration specialist St Modwen Developments is working with the university as development partner on the first phase of the project, which will include 430,000 sq ft of academic space and around 900 student apartments.

By Gerard Starkey

2 minute read