Jeremy Hodges

January 27, 2010 | International Edition

Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe and Morrison & Foerster's London offices have posted their financial results for 2009, with both offices holding up well despite one of the toughest markets in recent memory. Orrick took in revenues of $40.5m (£24.9m) in the City over the year, a marginal increase on the US firm's 2008 performance of $40m (£24.6m).

By Jeremy Hodges

2 minute read

January 27, 2010 | International Edition

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, Travers Smith and DLA Piper have lined up on the sale of Pets at Home for almost £1bn, in the latest deal signalling a resurgence in the private equity sector. Simpson Thacher took the lead role for Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co (KKR), which won the high-profile auction to purchase the pet supplies chain from Bridgepoint Capital with a bid of £955m.

By Jeremy Hodges

2 minute read

January 27, 2010 | International Edition

Allen & Overy (A&O) has topped the global project finance league tables for 2009 by value and volume according to new research that shows last year's leader, Clifford Chance (CC), falling into fifth place. Infrastructure Journal's (IJ) 2009 global rankings of legal advisers on project finance transactions shows A&O advised on deals worth $23.9bn (£14.8bn). That tally, which included a role advising the 12 banks supporting the £1.5bn financing for Global Infrastructure Partners' successful bid for Gatwick Airport in October 2009, gave A&O a 6.2% share of a much-depleted market.

By Jeremy Hodges

3 minute read

January 27, 2010 | International Edition

Kirkland & Ellis has landed a global mandate advising Japan Airlines (JAL) on its bankruptcy proceedings. The firm is fielding a team from Chicago, London and Hong Kong to advise the airline on one of the country's largest corporate failures.

By Jeremy Hodges

2 minute read

January 27, 2010 | International Edition

Linklaters has been named as the sole legal adviser to a new Government body intended to co-ordinate infrastructure projects in the UK and aid private sector investment. The magic circle firm has been appointed to advise Infrastructure UK (IUK), which was set up towards the end of last year as part of the Pre-Budget Report in a bid to prioritise and fund infrastructure in the UK over the next 50 years.

By Jeremy Hodges

2 minute read

January 26, 2010 | International Edition

Linklaters is to retain 49 of its current trainee intake, representing a 79% retention rate after 62 applied for a newly-qualified role at the firm. Of the 67 trainees due to qualify from the current intake, five resigned before the application process commenced.

By Jeremy Hodges

2 minute read

January 26, 2010 | International Edition

Lovells' Continental Europe practice outperformed the firm's London base for the first time last year, the firm's limited liability partnership accounts have revealed. The firm's annual report, published today (26 January) shows that Lovells' continental Europe offices accounted for 43% of the firm's total billings of £227.5m during 2008-09, ahead of London, which contributed £225m.

By Jeremy Hodges

2 minute read

January 26, 2010 | International Edition

Baker & McKenzie has appointed its first-ever global head of business development and marketing. The firm has recruited Laurie Robertson from Clifford Chance, where he has spent the last 10 years, most recently in the role of global head of business development, which he has held since 2007.

By Jeremy Hodges

2 minute read

January 25, 2010 | International Edition

The former London managing partner of Morgan Lewis, Bob Goldspink, has been appointed as a non-executive director of the Serious Fraud Office (SFO). The high-profile litigator retired from Morgan Lewis at the end of September after 12 years at the US firm. He had been managing partner of the firm's City office since 2004.

By Jeremy Hodges

2 minute read

January 25, 2010 | International Edition

Linklaters is preparing for a shake-up of its US management, with Americas head John Tucker set to step down after three years overseeing the practice. Tucker will stand down as Americas managing partner at the end of April, with the firm already consulting on his successor. He was initially appointed to the role for two years in 2007 - extending his tenure for 12 months last year - and split his time between London and New York.

By Jeremy Hodges

2 minute read