Pui Guan Man

November 28, 2012 | International Edition

The Law Commission has launched a consultation on contempt laws in England and Wales in the wake of a number of high-profile cases which have seen current legislation challenged by the growing influence of modern media. The commission - the statutory independent body which keeps the law under review and recommends reform where necessary - is reviewing the existing Contempt of Court Act 1981, which prevents the publication of any material that produces a substantial risk of prejudicing a fair trial.

By Pui-Guan Man

4 minute read

November 27, 2012 | International Edition

Weil Gotshal & Manges and Hogan Lovells are among a line-up of firms to have advised on Lehman Brothers Holdings' $6.5bn (£4.1bn) cash and equity sale of property group Archstone Enterprise. Archstone, Lehman's single largest asset, is set to be sold to real estate investment trusts Equity Residential (EQR) and AvalonBay (AVB). EQR will acquire 60% and AVB the remaining 40% stake.

By Pui-Guan Man

3 minute read

November 26, 2012 | International Edition

Slaughter and May has elected head of dispute resolution Richard Clark as its new executive partner, succeeding current post-holder Graham White. Clark will take up a four-year term from 1 May 2013, taking responsibility for the firm's overall management strategy, covering issues relating to people, compliance, finance and systems.

By Pui-Guan Man

2 minute read

November 26, 2012 | International Edition

Former Herbert Smith Germany ally Gleiss Lutz is in talks with Italy's Chiomenti, French firm Gide Loyrette Nouel and Iberian giant Cuatrecasas Goncalves Pereira over a new European alliance. The four firms are discussing how to strengthen their ties, with sources close to the matter indicating that the potential alliance, which excludes any UK firm, would be an informal 'best friend' relationship.

By Pui-Guan Man

2 minute read

November 26, 2012 | International Edition

Gateley is set to lay off around 20 fee earners across its offices in England. The firm's construction, real estate, dispute resolution and employment practices are among those which will be affected across its offices in Birmingham, London, Manchester and Nottingham.

By Pui-Guan Man

3 minute read

November 26, 2012 | International Edition

Bird & Bird has reported a double-digit rise in half-year revenues for the 2012-13 financial year, with fee income up 12% on the same period last year. The firm, which manages its accounts in euros, declined to reveal an exact half-year turnover figure, but estimates that it has seen 2% growth on a pound sterling basis when currency fluctuations are taken into account.

By Pui-Guan Man

2 minute read

November 22, 2012 | International Edition

The vast majority of general counsel are keen to receive training on influence to boost their career prospects, according to a major new research project by Nabarro. The firm's third annual general counsel report – which surveyed 100 GCs from FTSE-listed and large private companies – this year focused on the subject of influence.

By Pui-Guan Man

3 minute read

November 22, 2012 | International Edition

Norton Rose's transatlantic tie-up with Fulbright & Jaworski has received broad approval from law firm partners, against a more sceptical reponse to the other major merger deal of recent weeks – the proposed three-way union of SNR Denton, Salans and Canada's Fraser Milner Casgrain (FMC). Legal Week's latest Big Question survey found that 61% of partners believe Norton Rose's merger with US firm Fulbright – which is set to go live in June 2013 – is a good deal, with 19% unsure and the remaining 20% having a negative view of the tie-up.

By Pui-Guan Man

5 minute read

November 22, 2012 | International Edition

Travers Smith, Norton Rose and LV= were among the prize winners at last night's (22 November) British Legal Awards, which took place at London's Old Billingsgate Market. Travers saw off competition from Berwin Leighton Paisner, Clifford Chance, Latham & Watkins, Mishcon de Reya and Olswang to scoop the coveted Law Firm of the Year award.

By Pui-Guan Man

3 minute read

November 22, 2012 | International Edition

Norton Rose chief executive Peter Martyr is gearing up to expand in locations including New York and Latin America as the firm prepares to go live with its $2bn (£1.26bn) merger with Houston's Fulbright & Jaworski in June 2013. The Norton Rose Fulbright tie-up will give the firm 800 lawyers across 11 offices in the US, with 110 of these in New York, including 50 partners.

By Pui-Guan Man

4 minute read