Legal Week

August 07, 2009 | International Edition

Simmons & Simmons has moved to rebuild its Frankfurt corporate practice with the hire of former Haarmann partner Jan Wildberger, who will lead the UK firm's German private equity practice.

By Legal Week

2 minute read

August 06, 2009 | International Edition

Fox Williams and Lewis Silkin look at some of the key issues facing law firm partnerships in the current economic climate.

By Legal Week

1 minute read

August 06, 2009 | International Edition

Taylor Wessing has hired the head of Allen & Overy's (A&O) global communications group Mark Hoenike.

By Legal Week

2 minute read

August 06, 2009 | International Edition

Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe's London office has signed up to move into new premises in the City, with the firm also completing its conversion to a UK Limited Liability Partnership (LLP).

By Legal Week

2 minute read

August 06, 2009 | International Edition

"I am a junior barrister of three years' call practising in crime, family and general common law and have had enough. The majority of my work is legally aided, the money isn't great, the work is going to solicitors and the CPS and I've decided I want to leave to work in a European institution or international NGO. "I'm starting a masters in international law, which will take a three years on a part-time basis while I continue to practise. Should I quit now, do the LLM in a year then try and get an internship? Or shall I stick with the job in order to maximise my chances as someone who's had five years' litigation experience and insure my position should the Europe thing fall through..?"

By Legal Week

1 minute read

August 06, 2009 | International Edition

Gide Loyrette Nouel has elected its head of international, Christophe Eck, as its new firmwide managing partner, with the appointment set to take effect from 1 January next year. The Paris-based corporate partner, who oversees the firm's international strategy, will replace current head Xavier de Kergommeaux, who will return to full-time fee earning after serving three two-year terms in the role.

By Legal Week

2 minute read

August 06, 2009 | International Edition

Prudential and AOL have overhauled the management of their internal legal teams in the wake of the departures of their respective general counsel. Prudential GC and company secretary Peter Maynard has left the financial services company after around a decade in the role. Margaret Coltman, the former Norton Rose partner who became GC of Lloyds TSB shortly before its takeover of HBOS, has replaced him on an interim basis.

By Legal Week

2 minute read

August 06, 2009 | International Edition

Anheuser-Busch InBev has completed the first review of its legal panel since the two companies merged in 2008. The drinks giant has selected Clifford Chance (CC), Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Linklaters, Howrey, Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom and Sullivan & Cromwell for its global panel, with all appointed for a two-year period.

By Legal Week

2 minute read

August 06, 2009 | International Edition

The UK's top law firms have tightened their grip on the equity, increasing equity partner count by less than 4% despite a double digit increase in overall partner numbers over the last five years. Legal Week research into partner headcount changes at the UK's largest 25 firms by revenue show that, on average, partner count grew by 16% from 2003-04 to 2008-09. However this comes against only a 3.7% increase in equity partner numbers.

By Legal Week

3 minute read

August 06, 2009 | International Edition

A laid off associate at a leading City law firm on what it's like to lose your job, how the pay off eased the pain and getting back into employment...I was made redundant about four months ago. It pretty much came out of the blue. But once the redundancy consultation got underway, I found myself expecting it, to be honest. Most of the people who lost their jobs had a feeling that it might be them.

By Legal Week

2 minute read