Gerard Starkey

August 08, 2013 | International Edition

US consumer law firm Jacoby & Meyers (J&M) is entering the UK market via a joint venture with former SJ Berwin partner and ex-Proskauer Rose London head Matthew Hudson. J&M, one of the best-known consumer law firms in the US, has agreed to team up with Hudson's private equity and corporate law firm MJ Hudson to form Jacoby & Meyers Europe.

By Gerard Starkey

3 minute read

August 07, 2013 | International Edition

Hill Dickinson's partnership has voted in favour of a £2.8m capital call as the firm looks to boost cash reserves following a period of investment. The firm's 107 fixed-share and equity members will now contribute an extra £1,000 per equity point by the end of September, after the move obtained the 75% approval required from partners.

By Gerard Starkey

3 minute read

August 06, 2013 | International Edition

KPMG is looking to recruit a team of corporate lawyers in Manchester as the accountancy giant weighs up an alternative business structure (ABS) conversion as part of a push to expand its legal services offering. The big four accountancy firm is recruiting for a Manchester-based team of four or five corporate lawyers to work alongside its tax advisers as non-practising solicitors.

By Gerard Starkey

3 minute read

August 06, 2013 | International Edition

Reynolds Porter Chamberlain (RPC) has been appointed as the primary commercial contracts legal adviser to UK developer and owner of designer shopping outlets McArthurGlen. RPC fought off competition from a number of other firms to land the open ended agreement which will see the firm negotiate of a wide range of third party supplier contracts, including IT and web based services. The role also includes the management of McArthurGlen's contracts portfolio. After setting-up in 1993, McArthurGlen's current portfolio of designer outlets has grown to 21 centres across eight countries in Europe.

By Gerard Starkey

2 minute read

August 06, 2013 | International Edition

White & Case has strengthened its London private equity capability with the hire of a partner from US rival Kirkland & Ellis. Ross Allardice, who spent nine years at Kirkland where he made partner in October 2010, joined White & Case yesterday (5 August) with his arrival bringing the US firm's City partner count to 67.

By Gerard Starkey

2 minute read

August 05, 2013 | International Edition

Bond Dickinson has revealed 2012-13 results for legacy Bond Pearce and Dickinson Dees, with both growing revenues to reach a combined total of just under £100m for the newly merged firm. The figures show Bond Pearce performed marginally better than Dickinson Dees during the last financial year, after the firms posted almost identical 2011-12 revenue figures of £46.5m and £45.1m respectively. During 2012-13 Bond Pearce saw its top line rise by 8% to £50.3m, while Dickinson Dees boosted revenues by 4% to reach £48m.

By Gerard Starkey

3 minute read

August 04, 2013 | International Edition

Eversheds and Reed Smith both took lead roles as property investment and development company SEGRO sold its IQ Winnersh business park to a joint-venture for £245m. The JV is comprised of assets management firm Oaktree Capital Management and German-headquartered real estate company Patrizia AG, with the purchase of the Reading-based industrial park the JV's fourth acquisition in as many months.

By Gerard Starkey

2 minute read

August 01, 2013 | International Edition

Nationally represented law firms have once again outpaced their City counterparts as consolidation among mid-tier firms continues to drive growth. Mergers and acquisitions involving top 50 firms across the UK helped push average revenue growth up to 12.3%, well ahead of the average growth of 6.9% for the top 50 as a whole and also up on last year's average growth of 9.4% for the same group. Expansive DWF posted by far the biggest increase as revenues climbed 84.5% to £188.2m, following a transformative year which included a string of mergers, most notably the February acquisition of Cobbetts – catapulting the firm 15 places up the UK top 50 to 18th.

By Gerard Starkey

3 minute read

August 01, 2013 | International Edition

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has become an official supporter of London's bid to host the 2018 Gay Games. The city has been shortlisted to host the event alongside Paris and Limerick, with a final decision expected to be announced by governing body, Federation of Gay Games, in October. As well as sponsoring the bid, the firm is providing London's bidding team with pro-bono legal advice and non-legal advice, drawing upon the experience gained through its role as sole legal services provider to the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games.

By Gerard Starkey

2 minute read

July 30, 2013 | International Edition

Hill Dickinson has cut a total of 83 roles, including 14 partner positions, following a review of its UK business which kicked-off in May. The firm said that 44 of the redundancies were voluntary however declined to give details of which practice areas and regions were affected or how many roles had been put at risk. The review was intended to 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. Yesterday (29 April), the firm announced that it was to sell its 24-strong Chester office to Knights Solicitors with the transfer taking place on 1 October.

By Gerard Starkey

2 minute read