Sofia Lind

March 08, 2012 | International Edition

Clifford Chance (CC) and Linklaters have picked up lead roles on HSBC's sale of its Asian and Latin American insurance businesses to AXA and QBE for $914m (£578m). CC is acting both for HSBC and Hang Seng Bank on the sale of the businesses in Hong Kong, Singapore, Argentina and Mexico. Linklaters is advising AXA, which is paying $494m (£313m) in cash for HSBC's insurance portfolios in Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

March 07, 2012 | International Edition

Norton Rose and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer have won roles on a joint bid for FTSE 250 tech company Misys by CVC Capital Partners and ValueAct Capital. Norton Rose is acting for ValueAct Capital, the US-based investor which is also currently the largest shareholder of Misys, while Freshfields is advising private equity house CVC.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

March 06, 2012 | International Edition

Allen & Overy (A&O) and Simmons & Simmons have taken lead roles on offshore firm Walkers' sale of its fiduciary business. Walkers said that the sale had come after a strategic review which will now see it focus solely on legal services.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

March 06, 2012 | International Edition

Wragge & Co has restarted its annual partner promotions round, with three lawyers made up to the senior rank this year. The latest promotions come after the national firm made up no new partners last year, instead choosing to focus on lateral hiring and developing its international offices.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

March 05, 2012 | International Edition

Taylor Wessing has taken a lead role on the high-profile Rangers FC administration, advising administrators Duff & Phelps on its move to recover money held by law firm Collyer Bristow. Duff & Phelps confirmed last week (2 March) that it had made an emergency application to the High Court in London to secure money held in the client account of Collyer Bristow, which advised Rangers owner Craig Whyte on his purchase of the club in May 2011.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

March 05, 2012 | International Edition

Ashfords Solicitors has expanded its London presence through a merger with 34-lawyer firm Rochman Landau, in the latest example of consolidation in the UK legal market The tie-up, which went live last week (29 February), has seen Rochman's 50 London staff join Ashfords, giving the combined firm a total headcount of more than 450 staff in six offices across the south of England.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

March 01, 2012 | International Edition

"The early 2000s was the most difficult time in my memory and it's not something we want to go through again" - Stephenson Harwood's Sharon White on why she feels her firm will sustain its dramatic turnaround...

By Sofia Lind

6 minute read

February 23, 2012 | International Edition

Norton Rose has taken the key role on the largest private equity investment into Ethiopia to date. The deal saw the UK law firm advise Duet Private Equity on its acquisition of a controlling interest in the country's largest independent brewery business, Dashen Brewery.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

February 23, 2012 | International Edition

Margaret Cole's seven-year spell at the Financial Services Authority is set to come to an end next month, with many City partners predicting a lucrative future in private practice for the respected litigator.

By Sofia Lind

4 minute read

February 23, 2012 | International Edition

"When you have a very dynamic managing partner, you need a strong chair who can act as checks and balances" - Taylor Wessing's new head tells Sofia Lind that he aims to keep the firm on its idiosyncratic but successful path...

By Sofia Lind

7 minute read