Pui Guan Man

October 10, 2013 | International Edition

CMS Cameron McKenna senior partner Dick Tyler (pictured) is expected to stand for a second term as the countdown to a vote early in the New Year begins. Tyler's three-year term as the firm's senior partner ends next May. He was appointed to the role in 2011 following a contested vote. Sources at the firm said they expect Tyler to go for the top job again, but opinion is divided over whether partners will support the bid.

By Pui-Guan Man

2 minute read

October 10, 2013 | International Edition

Bird & Bird has begun offering US clients a 'virtual GC' service, allowing them to use the firm for work traditionally undertaken by in-house legal teams. The firm is in talks with potential clients in the US over the use of the service, which involves a partner taking up the responsibilities of a general counsel for clients remotely.

By Pui-Guan Man

2 minute read

October 10, 2013 | International Edition

Clifford Chance (CC) has increased the number of hours its lawyers spend on pro bono work by 10% in 2012-13. The magic circle firm's annual corporate responsibility report values the time invested in pro bono work at £19.2m. Lawyers at the firm spent a total of 55,348 hours on pro bono matters during 2012-13, up from 50,324 hours in the previous year.

By Pui-Guan Man

2 minute read

October 10, 2013 | International Edition

Slaughter and May and Trowers & Hamlins have won the lead role advising Thomas Cook on the travel company's sale ofr tis Egyptian and Lebanese operations to business group Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo. M&A corporate partner Tim Pharoah led the team advising longstanding client Thomas Cook Group on the deal, while Trowers corporate partner Tony Poole headed up the team representing the buyer.

By Pui-Guan Man

2 minute read

October 10, 2013 | International Edition

DLA Piper gaming partner Hilary Stewart-Jones has left the firm's partnership to take up a board role at software developer Playtech. Stewart-Jones, a leading member of DLA Piper's City intellectual property and technology group, has taken up a non-executive director position with the gaming developer. She will remain a consultant for DLA Piper.

By Pui-Guan Man

2 minute read

October 09, 2013 | International Edition

The Legal Services Board (LSB) has brought in Field Fisher Waterhouse to replace Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) as its adviser to defend the controversial Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates (QASA) in a judicial review. HSF was representing the LSB on the case, brought by the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) against the advocacy scheme, after the board approved the introduction of a grading system for advocates in the criminal courts.

By Pui-Guan Man

2 minute read

October 09, 2013 | International Edition

Norton Rose Fulbright and Pinsent Masons have landed the leading roles on a deal that will see Falkland Oil & Gas (FOGL) acquire fellow exploration company Desire Petroleum. The combination of the two Falklands companies, which will create an entity worth around $250m (£156m), will see FOGL's shareholders own 60% of the combined group's issued share capital after the offer closes, with Desire stakeholders owning the remainder.

By Pui-Guan Man

2 minute read

October 08, 2013 | International Edition

Wragge & Co has appointed projects head of projects David Fennell as its new managing partner in an uncontested election. Fennell (pictured) will replace current postholder Ian Metcalfe, taking up the role from April next year. Metcalfe will assist Fennell during a handover period beginning at the start of January. Metcalfe, who has been managing partner since 2006, is returning to practice and focus on building his corporate client base.

By Pui-Guan Man

2 minute read

October 07, 2013 | International Edition

RPC has bulked up its Singapore practice with the hire of Ince & Co head of Asia insurance and reinsurance Iain Anderson. Anderson joined Ince as a trainee in 1998 and was made up as partner in 2007 before relocating to Singapore three years later to launch the firm's Singapore insurance offering. He is set to start his role at RPC at the start of November.

By Pui-Guan Man

2 minute read

October 03, 2013 | International Edition

Weil Gotshal & Manges, Clifford Chance (CC) and Linklaters have won key roles on Japanese bathroom fittings company Lixil's €3bn (£2.5bn) acquisition of German rival Grohe. TPG Capital and DLJ Merchant Banking Partners, Grohe's private equity owners, are set to sell their 87.5% stake in the company to Lixil and the Development Bank of Japan in a joint acquisition structure.

By Pui-Guan Man

2 minute read