Legal Week

July 20, 2009 | International Edition

The tough economic climate didn't stop Hannah Gates getting a training contract at a magic circle firm - nor did her decision to work as a tour guide rather than do a vac scheme...

By Legal Week

4 minute read

July 20, 2009 | International Edition

"I am a mid-level associate at a magic circle firm (3PQE) and I specialise in financial services and regulatory work. I want to do more regulatory/funds work and less M&A and I want to move in-house. I am UK-qualified, but I have US links, so I am also considering a move back to the US and maybe obtaining qualification in one or more of the US states. I am sick of being a small cog in a giant wheel, so I am considering avoiding the large banks etc. Does anybody have any advice about the best time to move in-house?

By Legal Week

2 minute read

July 17, 2009 | International Edition

LG has joined the ranks of firms announcing a drop in profits of more than 30%, with the City outfit seeing profits per equity partner (PEP) plunge by 35% against a 10% fall in revenue. Average PEP for 2008-09 stood at £281,000, down from £430,000 in 2007-08, while the firm posted revenue of £60.3m, down from a figure of £67.1m set during the previous year. The firm highlighted litigation as a strong performer, with revenues increasing by 10%, but said that corporate revenues had fallen significantly.

By Legal Week

1 minute read

July 17, 2009 | International Edition

Twelve City law firms have signed up to the College of Law's dispute resolution training consortium. The programme of twelve courses concentrates on the basics of litigation and alternative dispute resolution, and will be taught to lawyers from zero to three years' post qualification experience. It follows similar pooled training programmes that have been introduced during recent years in the areas of corporate, property and banking.

By Legal Week

2 minute read

July 17, 2009 | International Edition

Burges Salmon's former managing partner Guy Stobart has joined Kennedys as chief executive. Stobart, who is set to join the insurance firm in September, will replace Ric Martin in the role. Martin will take up a new management position for the firm's Asian and Australasian offices.

By Legal Week

2 minute read

July 17, 2009 | International Edition

Pinsent Masons has posted a 36% drop in profits, with average profits per equity partner (PEP) falling to £310,000. The drop saw the national firm's PEP fall from £486,000 in 2007-08, with the decline coming against a slight increase in turnover. Revenues grew by 1% to £215m in 2008-09, compared with £213m the previous year.

By Legal Week

2 minute read

July 17, 2009 | International Edition

Weil Gotshal & Manges, DLA Piper and Linklaters have taken roles on a $2bn (£1.2bn) merger which will create the largest pay TV company in the Middle East and North Africa, reports The Am Law Daily. Weil Gotshal, which opened its first office in the Middle East this January in Dubai, advised Showtime Arabia on the deal, which sees it join forces with TV company The Orbit Group.

By Legal Week

2 minute read

July 17, 2009 | International Edition

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Allen & Overy (A&O) have taken roles on the largest Chinese M&A deal so far this year, reports The Am Law Daily. The deal, which is set to close this week, sees Chinese power company GCL-Poly Energy acquire leading solar-cell parts manufacturer Jiangsu Zhongneng Polysilicon Technology Development for $3.4bn (£2.1bn).

By Legal Week

2 minute read

July 16, 2009 | International Edition

Ex-Slaughter and May solicitor Jennie Rooney on how she wrote her first novel, 'Inside the Whale', during her training contract...

By Legal Week

2 minute read

July 16, 2009 | International Edition

I'm going to make every effort to get through this blog without innuendo. After all, it's not an issue that I focus on much - I've managed to go more than two years as editor of Legal Week without expressing an opinion on the matter. But there's no doubt that gender politics still fascinates (can't say excites) the profession like nothing else

By Legal Week

3 minute read