Pui Guan Man

January 02, 2013 | International Edition

SJ Berwin has launched an office in Luxembourg with the addition of two new partners, including former Allen & Overy (A&O) lawyer Alexandrine Armstrong-Cerfontaine. The base, which opened today (2 January) will focus on corporate, finance, private equity, funds and tax, and will be led by Armstrong-Cerfontaine, who set up her own Luxembourg firm Armstrong Cerfontaine Avocats in 2009 after leaving A&O.

By Pui-Guan Man

2 minute read

January 02, 2013 | International Edition

BPP Law School is set to develop an apprenticeship scheme that will allow school leavers to become lawyers without the need for a university degree. Conservative MP Matthew Hancock, the minister for skills, last week announced government plans to make higher-level apprenticeship qualifications - equivalent to bachelors and masters degree levels - available for the first time.

By Pui-Guan Man

2 minute read

December 20, 2012 | International Edition

CMS Cameron McKenna, SJ Berwin and Ashurst are among the firms scoring roles on the private equity takeover of Mappin & Webb owner Aurum Holdings. The deal, reportedly worth around £180m, has seen US private equity house Apollo Global Management take over UK jeweller Aurum, which in addition to Mappin & Webb owns Goldsmiths and Watches of Switzerland.

By Pui-Guan Man

2 minute read

December 19, 2012 | International Edition

Taylor Wessing has overhauled its management board with real estate chief Keith Barnett set to replace finance head Rodney Dukes in the role in the New Year. Barnett, who has headed the real estate team since 2007, will also replace Dukes leading one of the firm's three overarching business groups, which includes real estate, finance, insolvency, construction, environment and planning. He will be replaced as head of real estate by partner Mark Bennett from 1 January.

By Pui-Guan Man

2 minute read

December 19, 2012 | International Edition

Nixon Peabody is set to close its Paris office, with the firm aiming to shift its focus to the US. The firm's Paris office currently has 11 partners, two of whom split their time with other offices, seven associates and a paralegal, according to Nixon Peabody's website. The team is headed up by office managing partner Douglas Glucroft. It is unclear where any of the Paris lawyers will go next.

By Pui-Guan Man

2 minute read

December 17, 2012 | International Edition

Lloyds Banking Group has appointed a new group general counsel with the hire of Financial Services Authority (FSA) GC Andrew Whittaker. Whittaker, who will begin his new role in the second quarter of 2013, will report to chief risk officer Juan Columbus at Lloyds. He has been GC at the FSA since April 2000.

By Pui-Guan Man

2 minute read

December 17, 2012 | International Edition

Bird & Bird sports law specialist Max Duthie has been appointed by the British and Irish Lions rugby union team as legal officer for their 2013 tour to Australia.

By Pui-Guan Man

2 minute read

December 13, 2012 | International Edition

Clifford Chance (CC) and Allen & Overy (A&O) have scored lead roles on the near-£1bn purchase of a 60% stake in UK retailer B&M Bargains by US private equity group Clayton Dubilier & Rice (CD&R). CD&R has bought the majority stake in the Liverpool-based discount chain from Manchester businessmen Simon, Bobby and Robin Arora, who have built up the business since acquiring it in 2005. The deal, which is reportedly worth £965m, is expected to close early in 2013.

By Pui-Guan Man

2 minute read

December 13, 2012 | International Edition

Clifford Chance (CC), Ashurst and Eversheds are among a band of ten firms to have signed up to a major new initiative to boost women partner numbers across professional services firms in the UK.

By Pui-Guan Man

4 minute read

December 10, 2012 | International Edition

Weil Gotshal & Manges has billed more than £15m for its work on the administration of MF Global in the past year, as total legal fees generated by the broker's high-profile collapse pass £18m. The second six-month progress report filed by administrator KPMG reveals that lead legal adviser Weil billed a total of £5.8m for the period from 1 May to 30 October this year.

By Pui-Guan Man

3 minute read