Pui Guan Man

September 05, 2013 | International Edition

When counting down the days to a holiday, that 'to do' list can often seem a little daunting. But for most, pulling off an international merger deal is not one of the tasks on the agenda. SJ Berwin management duo Stephen Kon and Rob Day (pictured, top left and centre) have been enjoying a much-needed rest since signing an agreement to merge with Sino-Australian firm King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) at the tail end of July.

By Pui-Guan Man

5 minute read

September 05, 2013 | International Edition

Allen & Overy (A&O) has taken the lead role for Nationwide as it offers to buy back up to £715m in securities from investors in a bid to raise capital. The building society has launched the tender offer to holders of its permanent interest bearing shares (PIBS). The price offered on the securities has not been confirmed, but Nationwide has said it will be above current market price.

By Pui-Guan Man

2 minute read

September 05, 2013 | International Edition

Clifford Chance (CC) has selected seven more charities to provide client-level pro bono support to, three of which will receive a total of £255,000 from the firm over the next three years. The non-governmental organisations (NGOs) joining the initiative are international development charity A4ID, affordable housing NGO Habitat for Humanity, non-profit writers' association PEN International, African Prisons Project, Anti-Slavery International, Institute for Human Rights and Business (IRHB), and Save the Children.

By Pui-Guan Man

2 minute read

September 02, 2013 | International Edition

Twitter has appointed a former Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati associate as its new general counsel as current postholder Alexander Macgillivray steps down. Vijaya Gadde was a corporate senior director and associate general counsel at networking equipment company Juniper Networks before she took up a role as legal director at Twitter in 2011. She left Wilson Sonsini in 2010.

By Pui-Guan Man

2 minute read

August 30, 2013 | International Edition

DAC Beachcroft's Leeds office has lost a five-partner team to healthcare boutique Capsticks. The team comprises national health employment chief Rachael Heenan, who also heads up the health practice in the North, healthcare regulatory and public law partner Ian Cooper, health commercial specialist Robert McGough, employment lawyer Ron Simms and northern health sector partner Claire Reynolds.

By Pui-Guan Man

2 minute read

August 29, 2013 | International Edition

Pinsent Masons and Hill Dickinson have advised on a deal which has seen alcoholic ginger beer maker Crabbie's become the new sponsor of the Grand National. The deal, which spans three years, will see the race will offer £1m in prize money for the first time.

By Pui-Guan Man

2 minute read

August 29, 2013 | International Edition

Clifford Chance (CC) has joined a scheme that will see recruiters from top employers meet undergraduates from state school backgrounds, in a bid to improve access to City professions. CC is hosting a new milk round event, called the 'City Careers Conference', which will see graduate recruiters meet more than 150 undergraduates who previously studied at state schools in London's most disadvantaged boroughs.

By Pui-Guan Man

2 minute read

August 28, 2013 | International Edition

Arthur Cox and Maples and Calder are among a line-up of law firms to have won spots on the Irish Treasury's legal panel. The National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA), which borrows on behalf of the Irish Government and handles national debt and state claims, has appointed seven firms - Ireland's A&L Goodbody, Arthur Cox, Mason Hayes & Curran, Matheson, McCann Fitzgerald and William Fry, as well as offshore giant Maples and Calder.

By Pui-Guan Man

2 minute read

August 13, 2013 | International Edition

Norton Rose Fulbright has raised salaries for its newly qualified (NQ) lawyers by £1,500, alongside the announcement of a 92% retention rate for this September's trainee intake. The new NQ salary, which came into effect at the start of 1 July this year but has been backdated to 1 May, has seen pay boosted to £63,000 from £61,500.

By Pui-Guan Man

2 minute read

August 13, 2013 | International Edition

Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom and Canadian firm Torys are advising smartphone maker BlackBerry as it kicks off a strategic review that could result in the sale of the company. The Canadian telecoms giant has announced that it is forming a committee to consider options for a new business model, with options in the table including a sale, as well as joint ventures, strategic partnerships or alliances.

By Pui-Guan Man

2 minute read