Legal Week

July 09, 2009 | International Edition

Holman Fenwick Willan has reported double-digit growth in both revenue and profits. The shipping firm saw turnover for 2008-09 climb by 27% to £98.7m, up from £77.6m the year before. Profits per equity partner (PEP), meanwhile, grew by more than 10%, rising to £514,000 from £453,000 in 2007-08.

By Legal Week

2 minute read

July 09, 2009 | International Edition

Hammonds has moved a step closer to a merger in Italy, as local ally Rossotto prepares to bolster its ranks with two team hires, including one from Allen & Overy (A&O). The 75-lawyer Italian firm is set to bring in 20 lawyers by September, including two partners and a team of associates from A&O.

By Legal Week

2 minute read

July 09, 2009 | International Edition

Clifford Chance (CC) has become the latest magic circle firm to retrench in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), with the firm opting to close in Budapest. The Hungary office will spin off from CC at the end of July to form Lakatos Koves & Partners, which will continue to work with CC in a 'best friends' relationship. The spin-off practice will see all 29 Hungary-based fee earners, as well as staff, join the new firm.

By Legal Week

3 minute read

July 09, 2009 | International Edition

Lovells has won a new client, with Kazakhstan's largest bank BTA appointing the City firm for asset recovery advice following its nationalisation earlier this year. The bank has appointed the firm to act on all of its asset recovery work, with Lovells fielding a team made up of lawyers from across its international network.

By Legal Week

2 minute read

July 09, 2009 | International Edition

Birmingham's Hill Hofstetter is bulking up with a trio of lateral hires, following its spin-off from Reed Smith earlier this year. Hammonds former Birmingham dispute resolution partner Ann Benzimra is set to join Hill Hofstetter at the beginning of August. She will join disputes partner Jim Sharkey, who is set to start this week (9 July) from immigration, human rights and litigation boutique Gherson.

By Legal Week

2 minute read

July 09, 2009 | International Edition

The number of international law firms in London looking for a tie-up has fallen to its lowest level in five years, as firms batten down the hatches in their City outposts during the downturn. Only 21% of non-UK headquartered firms in London said they would consider a merger with a UK firm according to Legal Week's annual survey of international law firms in London. The result marks a sharp decline from last year when 45% of firms said they would consider a UK deal.

By Legal Week

3 minute read

July 09, 2009 | Legal Week

The number of international law firms in London looking for a tie-up has fallen to its lowest level in five years, as firms batten down the hatches in their City outposts during the downturn. Only 21% of non-UK headquartered firms in London said they would consider a merger with a UK firm according to Legal Week's annual survey of international law firms in London. The result marks a sharp decline from last year when 45% of firms said they would consider a UK deal.

By Legal Week

33 minute read

July 09, 2009 | International Edition

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is looking for a new global head of corporate, with current post-holder Andreas Fabritius set to stand down after four years at the helm. Frankfurt-based Fabritius, who has been a partner at Freshfields since 1991, was appointed as sole head of the practice in 2006 after his co-leader, London partner Gavin Darlington, stepped down in late 2005.

By Legal Week

2 minute read

July 09, 2009 | International Edition

Addleshaw Goddard earlier this year asked partners to return some profits handed out ahead of schedule in order to pay a tax bill, it has emerged. The top 20 law firm requested that equity partners pay back some profits that had been distributed in late 2008.

By Legal Week

2 minute read

July 09, 2009 | International Edition

DLA Piper is aiming to give junior lawyers and support staff a greater say in the firm's strategy as part of a bid to improve staff engagement. The top 10 firm has set up a number of focus groups across the UK, in a move championed by newly-appointed UK managing partner David Bradley to help formulate a new three-year strategy.

By Legal Week

2 minute read