Pui Guan Man

June 13, 2013 | International Edition

Norton Rose Fulbright will temporarily retain its legacy Fulbright & Jaworski name in the US for regulatory reasons, it has emerged, as the firm seeks the approval of local state bars to formally change its legal identity to reflect the transatlantic merger. The newly merged firm, which was formed last week under the global brand of Norton Rose Fulbright, is still legally registered as Fulbright & Jaworski in the US. The firm explained that as legacy Fulbright practises in 50 states across the US, it now faces a complex and potentially lengthy process to comply with local bar rules on name changes. It confirmed that it plans to change its US legal entity name as soon as it is able to do so.

By Pui-Guan Man

2 minute read

June 13, 2013 | International Edition

Nabarro has seen turnover for the 2012-13 financial year climb by 2.6%, with the increase coming against a predicted 30% rise in profits per equity partner (PEP). The top 30 UK firm has announced an unaudited revenue figure of £116.3m compared with £113.4m the previous year. PEP has not been formally calculated but is expected to climb to £430,000, which would represent a jump of roughly 30% compared with last year's audited PEP figure of £332,000.

By Pui-Guan Man

2 minute read

June 12, 2013 | International Edition

High-profile barrister and recorder Constance Briscoe has been charged with intending to pervert the course of justice. Briscoe, who was suspended from the judiciary last October pending a police investigation, now faces two charges of providing inaccurate statements to the police in 2011 and 2012.

By Pui-Guan Man

2 minute read

June 11, 2013 | International Edition

Shearman & Sterling's London office has offered 11 jobs to 13 trainees qualifying at the US firm this September. Although the number of acceptances has not yet been confirmed, the 85% offer rate is broadly in line with the previous year, when the firm offered seven of its eight-strong intake (87.5%) a role at the firm.

By Pui-Guan Man

2 minute read

June 10, 2013 | International Edition

Norton Rose Fulbright is expected to see the post-merger departure of a number of lawyers in Dubai, with a team from legacy Fulbright & Jaworski understood to be on the verge of a move. The bulk of legacy Fulbright's operation in Dubai's Festival City, which comprises eight partners, is understood to be considering a move to another firm in the emirate, with US firm Baker Botts understood to be in talks to take on a team.

By Pui-Guan Man

2 minute read

June 07, 2013 | International Edition

SJ Berwin partners are set to discuss the firm's potential tie-up with Asia Pacific leader King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) at a partner conference this weekend (8-9 June), as the two firms edge closer to voting on the deal. Partners will discuss the union at the UK firm's annual partner retreat, which is being held in Marbella this year. It is understood that the potential tie-up, which would see SJ Berwin joining KWM's Swiss Verein structure, has been loosely discussed at previous partner meetings but not formally with the partnership as a whole. Issues likely to be covered include the merged firm's name, with SJ Berwin's name potentially set to disappear.

By Pui-Guan Man

2 minute read

June 06, 2013 | International Edition

Norton Rose Fulbright is eyeing expansion into new markets in Africa and the west coast of the US, as the newly merged firm's transatlantic tie-up gets off the ground. The $2bn (£1.3bn) firm, which went live at the start of this week through the combination of Norton Rose and Texas firm Fulbright & Jaworski, is already considering further geographies into which it could expand. In Africa – where the firm currently has bases in South Africa, Morocco and Tanzania – Nigeria, Egypt, Mozambique and Angola have all been identified as potential destinations for office launches, while a move into northern California is also under discussion.

By Pui-Guan Man

3 minute read

June 05, 2013 | International Edition

Maclay Murray & Spens is set to cut up to 30 jobs after announcing a redundancy consultation with both legal and support staff at the firm. Around half of the jobs at risk are fee-earning roles, with the firm's corporate and property practices set to be the most heavily affected areas. All four of Maclay Murray's offices in London, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen are expected to see job cuts, although there will not be any fee-earner redundancies in Aberdeen.

By Pui-Guan Man

3 minute read

June 05, 2013 | International Edition

Field Fisher Waterhouse has placed a bid to take on several floors of a Thames-side site in London, following its search for new headquarters in London. The firm is thought to have put roughly 80,000 sq ft, covering three floors, under offer at Riverbank House, which is sublet by US hedge fund Man Group, and is located on Swan Lane near London Bridge.

By Pui-Guan Man

2 minute read

June 04, 2013 | International Edition

Bird & Bird has announced single-digit growth for 2012-13, with the firm expecting net profit to have also increased. The UK top 20 firm saw turnover increase to £249m during the last financial year - a 6% rise on the previous year's equivalent of £235m. According to Bird & Bird the latest increase represents around 25 years of continuous fee income growth.

By Pui-Guan Man

2 minute read