Jeremy Hodges

May 17, 2010 | International Edition

Herbert Smith and Allen & Overy (A&O) have advised on the creation of a $2.8bn (£1.9bn) reserve-based lending (RBL) facility for oil and gas company Perenco. The facility, the largest ever of its kind, will enable the company to grow its business with new acquisitions and develop its current assets.

By Jeremy Hodges

2 minute read

May 17, 2010 | International Edition

Hogan Lovells has seen its first partner departure in Europe since the confirmation of the transatlantic merger deal, with Moscow corporate partner Ilya Rybalkin set to join US firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld. Rybalkin, a partner at legacy firm Hogan & Hartson, will join Akin Gump's Moscow office in July, bringing with him a broad corporate practice including international and domestic tax, M&A and corporate restructurings.

By Jeremy Hodges

2 minute read

May 14, 2010 | International Edition

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Norton Rose and CMS Cameron McKenna have all taken roles on the deal that has seen Transport for London (TfL) take over maintenance responsibilities for three London Underground lines from the Tube Lines consortium. The agreement will bring to an end the £30bn public-private partnership (PPP) to upgrade the Tube, with TfL now taking control of the upgrades on the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly Lines.

By Jeremy Hodges

2 minute read

May 12, 2010 | International Edition

Linklaters has appointed Paris managing partner Arnaud de La Cotardiere as the new head of the firm's commercial practice. He will start a four-year term with immediate effect, replacing John Turnbull, who was recently appointed Americas head.

By Jeremy Hodges

2 minute read

May 11, 2010 | International Edition

Quinn Emmanuel Urquhart & Sullivan has made its first lateral partner hire since 2008, bringing in commercial litigator Alex Gerbi from Olswang. Gerbi has been at Olswang for a decade and joined the UK top 40 firm's partnership three years ago. He has a broad disputes focus with a client list which includes companies in the technology, media and bank finance sectors.

By Jeremy Hodges

2 minute read

May 11, 2010 | International Edition

Commercial property specialist firm Maples Teesdale has bolstered its corporate capabilities with the hire of a partner from Taylor Wessing. Corporate partner Paul Burke joined the firm this week and will work alongside company commercial partner Denis Marshall, with a remit to build the corporate side of the firm's business.

By Jeremy Hodges

2 minute read

May 11, 2010 | International Edition

Field Fisher Waterhouse has made its second lateral hire of the year, bringing in media partner Barry Smith from Reed Smith to bolster its City practice. Smith had been a partner at Reed Smith since 1980, having joined the firm in 1974. He brings with him a practice covering a broad range of media matters including film and television, production and distribution.

By Jeremy Hodges

2 minute read

May 11, 2010 | International Edition

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has appointed Nathan Willmott as its new head of commercial disputes. Willmott took over the practice group from 1 May, replacing David Parkin, who has stepped down from the role. The commercial disputes group, which sits within the litigation and dispute resolution group headed up by Jonathan Sacher, currently houses 50 lawyers including 13 partners. It is split into four core areas: international arbitration, corporates and private wealth, construction and financial institutions.

By Jeremy Hodges

2 minute read

May 11, 2010 | International Edition

Herbert Smith and Latham & Watkins have taken lead roles on opposite sides of the £1.5bn sale of Harrods to the Qatari royal family. The deal sees Mohamed Al Fayed's 25-year tenure as owner of the iconic Knightsbridge department store come to an end, although he will take on the new role of honorary chairman.

By Jeremy Hodges

2 minute read

May 11, 2010 | International Edition

Hunton & Williams and Nabarro have acted on the largest rights issue on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) since 2007. Hunton advised longstanding client Faroe Petroleum on its planned £70m rights issue, the proceeds of which will go towards the drilling of up to eight new wells over the next eight years.

By Jeremy Hodges

2 minute read