Simon Petersen

October 05, 2011 | International Edition

Eversheds is bringing in a new legal director role as an alternative career path 
to partnership. The role, which will come into use at the firm for the first time in May next year, is intended as an alternative to the traditional partner route, rather than a stepping stone to partnership. However, it will still be possible for legal directors to be made up to partner. The process for selection to the new role will open before the end of the year, with senior associates of roughly seven years' post-qualification experience and above expected to apply.

By Simon Petersen

2 minute read

October 05, 2011 | International Edition

CMS Hasche Sigle has overtaken Hengeler Mueller to emerge as the largest German law firm by revenue, with the 10 largest firms in the country seeing an average revenue rise of 4% during their last financial year, according to new research. The rankings, compiled by German legal publication Juve, show Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer retaining its position as the largest law firm in Germany with turnover of €334m (£286m), while CMS Hasche Sigle has passed Slaughter and May ally Hengeler with 3.9% revenue growth to rank second with revenues of €212m (£182m).

By Simon Petersen

4 minute read

October 05, 2011 | International Edition

Maclay Murray & Spens has strengthened its London corporate practice with a partner hire from Pinsent Masons. Darius Lewington joined the firm last month after nine years at Pinsents, where he worked on domestic and cross-border corporate transactions including M&A, IPOs and secondary fund raisings, joint ventures and corporate reorganisations.

By Simon Petersen

2 minute read

October 05, 2011 | International Edition

Eversheds has boosted its City contentious regulatory practice with a partner hire from the Financial Service Authority's (FSA) enforcement and financial crime division. Greg Brandman joined the firm's London office on Monday (3 October) in its financial services dispute resolution team.

By Simon Petersen

2 minute read

October 04, 2011 | International Edition

Hill Dickinson has laid off seven members of staff in its health practice, including two fee earners and five secretaries. The firm cited NHS spending cuts as the reason for the cuts, which have seen a legal director, an assistant solicitor and a secretary made redundant in Manchester and four secretaries let go in Liverpool.

By Simon Petersen

2 minute read

October 03, 2011 | International Edition

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has hired Ashurst's non-contentious construction head as its new head of engineering, construction and procurement. Marc Hanson is set to join BLP later this year, replacing current practice head John Hughes-D'Aeth, who will remain at the firm.

By Simon Petersen

2 minute read

October 03, 2011 | International Edition

Eversheds is set to launch in Romania through a formal tie-up with local firm Lina & Guia. The four-partner Romanian firm, which has an office in Bucharest, will operate as Eversheds Lina & Guia from 1 October, increasing Eversheds' international reach to 46 offices across 28 countries.

By Simon Petersen

2 minute read

September 30, 2011 | International Edition

Pinsent Masons has boosted its City sports practice with the hire of a senior partner from Clarke Willmott. Trevor Watkins is set to join the UK top 20 firm next month as head of its sports group. He joins from Clarke Willmott's Southampton office, bringing with him a team of one senior associate and two solicitors.

By Simon Petersen

2 minute read

September 30, 2011 | International Edition

DLA Piper and Ashurst have taken lead roles on the pre-pack administration of Alexon Group, a deal which has seen the troubled clothing retailer sold into private equity ownership. The deal, which is expected to save as many as 2,700 jobs, closed yesterday (29 September) with a sale to Sun Capital, after shares in Alexon were suspended following the appointment of KPMG as administrators.

By Simon Petersen

2 minute read

September 29, 2011 | International Edition

Slaughter and May has been instructed by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) to undertake a review of its corporate governance amid intense media scrutiny of the top levels of English rugby's governing body. The review, which will be led by Slaughters corporate partner Nigel Boardman, will aim to assess the effectiveness of current practice at the RFU, in particular the relationship between its board of directors and council.

By Simon Petersen

3 minute read