Legal Week

July 02, 2009 | International Edition

Where Mayer Brown was, initially at least, a union of a good-but-sleepy London firm with a good-but-sleepy US law firm with too much regard for its own status, the Florida-based Greenberg Traurig exudes entrepreneurialism and drive unencumbered by self-image or the weight of tradition.

By Legal Week

5 minute read

July 02, 2009 | International Edition

Trowers & Hamlins has posted a double-digit increase in turnover for the last financial year, with the law firm one of a band within the UK top 50 to report their 2008-09 financial results during the last week. Trowers saw revenues hit £89.5m during the last financial year compared with £77.6m the year before, representing a 15% jump in fee income.

By Legal Week

2 minute read

July 02, 2009 | International Edition

Addleshaw Goddard is to align its business around four key sector groups as part of its new five-year strategy. The national firm has highlighted financial services, public sector, retail and consumer and real estate for growth, with the firm hoping the focus will help strengthen ties with existing clients as well as attracting new clients. The sectors will run alongside Addleshaws' existing four main practice divisions – real estate, contentious and commercial, and finance and projects and corporate.

By Legal Week

2 minute read

July 02, 2009 | International Edition

Stephenson Harwood & Lo has appointed a new managing partner for Greater China, with current post-holder John Gale set to retire. The firm has named Asia business and technology head Voon Keat Lai as its new Greater China head, with Lai to take the helm at the beginning of July.

By Legal Week

2 minute read

July 02, 2009 | International Edition

"I was awarded a TC with a top firm back in 2006, to start in September 2009. I have now been deferred until next year. I regard myself as a bright and personable chap, enthusiastic in everything that I turn my hand to. As geeky as it sounds, I have a genuine passion for law and the business world. However, I have never been 'excellent' - certain things don't come naturally to me and I therefore have to graft to stay ahead.

By Legal Week

1 minute read

July 02, 2009 | International Edition

Reed Smith has turned to an external consultant to help shape its worldwide financial industries group (FIG). The US law firm has appointed an economist who regularly advises the US Government to look at where the firm should focus its practice during the recession.

By Legal Week

2 minute read

July 02, 2009 | International Edition

White & Case will overhaul its lawyer development programme globally, with the US law firm reviewing associate and partner training and how it monitors and rewards performance. London-based Phil Donnelly, who joined in April from the Dubai Investment Company as chief people officer, is leading the review, which will take place over the coming months.

By Legal Week

2 minute read

July 02, 2009 | International Edition

Linklaters and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer dominated European M&A activity during the first half of 2009. Research from Mergermarket, exclusively provided to Legal Week, shows that Freshfields has moved to the top of the European rankings by value, working on 63 deals worth €94.29bn (£80bn).

By Legal Week

2 minute read

July 02, 2009 | International Edition

City partners have seen the lowest levels of M&A activity since early 2003 during the first half of this year, with few optimistic of a significant recovery any time soon. Figures from Legal Week's data provider, Mergermarket, show that in Europe there were 1,449 deals during the first half of 2009 worth $169.1bn (£102bn), compared with 3,175 deals worth $504.9bn (£315bn) during the same period in 2008 and 3,365 deals worth $846bn (£514bn) during the first half of 2007.

By Legal Week

2 minute read

July 02, 2009 | International Edition

Tensions are mounting at City law firms as banks press their legal advisers to provide increasing numbers of secondees, it has emerged. A number of partners at top 10 City firms claim banks are putting them under too much pressure to provide in-house legal teams with lawyers.

By Legal Week

4 minute read