Legal Week

June 30, 2009 | International Edition

The percentage of appointments to judicial posts from black and ethnic minorities fell during the past year, with the proportion of successful female applicants also seeing a decrease. The Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) received 3,514 valid applications for legal and non-legal positions for the period from 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009 - an increase of almost 40% on the 2,535 during the previous year.

By Legal Week

2 minute read

June 30, 2009 | International Edition

Fraudster Bernard Madoff has received a 150-year prison term for his gigantic Ponzi scheme, by far the largest-ever sentence for a white-collar crime. "Symbolism is important," Southern District of New York Judge Denny Chin said as he hit Madoff with the maximum possible term, imposed for offences the judge called "staggering" in size and scope.

By Legal Week

3 minute read

June 30, 2009 | International Edition

A former partner at Latham & Watkins has been sentenced to 15 months in prison and ordered to pay a $10,000 (£6,000) fine and $350,000 (£210,000) in restitution to Latham for defrauding both clients and his own firm. Samuel Fishman, an M&A specialist in the US firm's New York office from 1993 to 2005, pleaded guilty to a single count of mail fraud in March 2008. He faced a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

By Legal Week

2 minute read

June 29, 2009 | International Edition

I am grateful to Legal Week readers for their interest in my column so far, and especially to those who take their time to post comments - some of which, I note, appear to be a little distracted from the content of the writing by the accompanying picture of a woman's legs (as modest as it is). I would much prefer to hear your views on the substantive issues I focus on. Besides, I must confess that I cannot claim ownership of those legs and I did not choose the photo. Had I been given the choice, I would have picked one with much better shoes.

By Legal Week

4 minute read

June 29, 2009 | International Edition

Incisive Media's professional service division, of which Legal Week forms a part, recently gathered together senior figures from the recruitment industry to discuss the current malaise affecting the sector over a glass of wine or two.

By Legal Week

4 minute read

June 29, 2009 | International Edition

Linklaters has bolstered its New York office with the hire of a bank regulatory partner from Goodwin Procter. Robin Maxwell joined the magic circle firm's New York office today (29 June) and will become a partner in the firm's global financial regulation group, which is headed by City partner Michael Kent.

By Legal Week

2 minute read

June 29, 2009 | International Edition

Addleshaw Goddard saw its profits per equity partner (PEP) plunge by 30% over the last financial year, the firm announced today (29 June). The national firm saw turnover for 2008-09 fall by just over 11% to £173.3m down from £195.4m. PEP meanwhile dropped by 30.8% falling from £586,000 in 2007-08 to £405,000 for the last financial year.

By Legal Week

2 minute read

June 29, 2009 | International Edition

It has never been harder to get a training contract. There are more high calibre applicants than ever, while firms have fewer trainee places - and the situation is unlikely to change for the next few years. But hard does not mean impossible. There are still training contracts out there; you just have to stand out to get one.

By Legal Week

4 minute read

June 29, 2009 | International Edition

Clyde & Co has posted a double-digit rise in revenue, with turnover for 2008-09 breaking through the £180m mark. The top 20 firm saw revenues jump by just under 18% to hit £185m, up from £157m the previous year. Overall profits at the firm grew by 11% however profits per equity (PEP) partner remained broadly steady with last year, when the firm reported a 10% increase in PEP to £550,000.

By Legal Week

2 minute read

June 29, 2009 | International Edition

Linklaters has appointed a partner duo to head up its China practice, with Asia litigation head and Hong Kong managing partner Marc Harvey and Beijing head Celia Lam replacing Zili Shao in the role. Harvey and Lam take up their four-year terms with immediate effect after Shao was appointed as Asia managing partner in April.

By Legal Week

2 minute read