Simon Petersen

August 10, 2011 | International Edition

Salans has turned to the London office of Ropes & Gray for its new global chief operating officer. Peter Griffith, who joined Salans' London office on 8 August, will be responsible for all the firm's global support services, including finance, IT, business development and marketing. He replaces Neil Woodcock, who retired earlier this year.

By Simon Petersen

2 minute read

August 09, 2011 | International Edition

Thomas Eggar has joined a growing list of firms to have signed up to outsource back office functions to Integreon. The southeast firm has signed a deal for Integreon to run its library and information service, joining the outsourcing company's existing clients - which include CMS Cameron McKenna, Osborne Clarke, Beachcroft, TLT Solicitors and Morgan Cole - in the use of its Bristol service centre.

By Simon Petersen

2 minute read

August 09, 2011 | International Edition

Norton Rose is among a trio of firms to have announced trainee retention rates for September, with the firm keeping on 88% of its newly-qualified lawyers (NQs). The top 10 UK firm is set to keep on 14 of 16 trainees this autumn, after all of those who were offered a position accepted.

By Simon Petersen

2 minute read

August 09, 2011 | International Edition

Cobbetts has posted a marginal turnover rise for 2010-11 alongside a slight dip in profits, after much of the firm's staff returned to full-time work following 12 months on reduced hours. The firm saw turnover rise 1% from £43.8m to £44.5m during the 2010-11 financial year, while net profits fell from £10.5m to £10m.

By Simon Petersen

2 minute read

August 08, 2011 | International Edition

Baker & McKenzie has added a partner to its London energy, mining and infrastructure (EMI) group with a hire from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. Marc Fevre joins Bakers' partnership from Freshfields, where he was a counsel in the firm's Abu Dhabi energy and infrastructure team. The hire brings the total number of partners in Bakers' City EMI group to seven.

By Simon Petersen

2 minute read

August 04, 2011 | International Edition

Squire Sanders Hammonds is set to launch in Australia with the acquisition of the majority of Minter Ellison's Perth office. The transatlantic firm is currently finalising discussions with a group of partners from Minter Ellison's Perth base, with 15 of the office's 19 partners understood to be in talks over a move after four decided to stay with the Australian firm.

By Simon Petersen

3 minute read

August 03, 2011 | International Edition

Average revenues across the five largest law firms in France grew by 1.7% over the last financial year, with CMS Bureau Francis Lefebvre emerging as the fastest-growing firm in the group. Research by French publication Juristes Associes shows CMS Bureau Francis Lefebvre's revenue climbed by 6.5% during the last financial year to €145.9m (£128m), significantly faster than the rest of the top five. Gide Loyrette Nouel saw the next best growth in the group, with revenues increasing by 3.6% to €143.2m (£125m), putting it in second place behind Francis Lefebvre.

By Simon Petersen

3 minute read

August 03, 2011 | International Edition

Davies Arnold Cooper (DAC) has announced its annual promotions round, with three partners made up ahead of the firm's merger with Beachcroft. The promotions, which took effect on 1 July, see construction partner Royston Pendley and insurance partners Lyn Crawford and Evi Hava made up in the firm's London office.

By Simon Petersen

2 minute read

August 03, 2011 | International Edition

Bird & Bird has been handed a lead role on the administration of tour operator Holidays 4 UK. The Brighton-based travel company, which has more than 12,000 customers currently abroad, went into administration today (3 August), with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) appointed to oversee the process.

By Simon Petersen

2 minute read

August 03, 2011 | International Edition

A partner at SNR Denton associate firm F Castelo Branco & Associados (FCB&A) has been appointed as Portugal's new Minister of Justice. Paula Teixeira da Cruz has taken up the position following a June election in which Pedro Passos Coelho became the country's Prime Minister.

By Simon Petersen

2 minute read