Sofia Lind

November 24, 2010 | International Edition

Legacy Denton Wilde Sapte and Travelers have launched a claim against the former head of Dentons' India group in a bid to reclaim £779,000 worth of costs stemming from a 2009 court case. The law firm and the insurer are suing Gauri Advani, who was a defendant alongside Dentons in a case brought by two of her former clients, in which Advani was alleged to have committed bribery.

By Sofia Lind

3 minute read

November 23, 2010 | International Edition

Four UK top 15 firms have advised on a £600m joint venture (JV) that will see a biomedical research facility built in London's Kings Cross. The UK Centre for Medical Research and Innovation is due to be built and run as a charity foundation by a JV comprising the Medical Research Council, Cancer Research UK, Wellcome Trust and University College London (UCL). CMS Cameron McKenna advised the whole of the JV on the agreement, with the firm's team including lawyers from its London corporate and real estate departments. Camerons won the appointment based on its longstanding relationship with the Wellcome Trust.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

November 23, 2010 | International Edition

CMS Cameron McKenna's partners have given their seal of approval to plans to outsource the firm's support departments to legal process outsourcer (LPO) Integreon. A vote of the partnership on the principles of the deal closed last night (22 November), paving the way for the outsourcing arrangement. The deal, which comes after five months of due diligence on plans that were announced in May, will see Integreon move into the firm's London HQ.

By Sofia Lind

5 minute read

November 23, 2010 | International Edition

Field Fisher Waterhouse has won a lead role advising on the £5.5bn Liverpool Waters regeneration project. In a first-time client instruction, Field Fisher is advising new client Peel Land and Property on all planning aspects of the multibillion-pound scheme, which is one of the largest regeneration projects in the UK. Field Fisher is fielding a team led by London head of planning and environment Karen Cooksley, alongside Manchester planning partner Colette McCormack and associate Lindsay Garratt. The three-lawyer team joined Field Fisher last year from Bevan Brittan.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

November 23, 2010 | International Edition

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) is reviewing its international strategy, with the top 20 City firm consulting on ideas for global expansion. A series of consultation sessions were held at the firm's partner meeting earlier this month, with BLP looking at whether to continue its prime existing strategy of international referral relationships or whether it should be opening further offices of its own, with a particular focus on emerging market locations.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

November 18, 2010 | International Edition

Barlow Lyde & Gilbert is set for more departures with two City partners quitting the firm to join CMS Cameron McKenna. Insurance specialists Mike Munro and James Parker will join the financial services and capital markets team at Camerons, with a start date yet to be confirmed. Munro, the former head of Barlows' corporate and commercial practice, was recently replaced in the role by partner Simon Gamblin.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

November 17, 2010 | International Edition

BP is set to launch a review of its UK panel of external legal advisers for the first time in three years. The British oil giant plans to kick off the process at the end of this month, with firms on the roster already alerted, although formal requests for proposals have not yet been sent out. Group general counsel Rupert Bondy is formally overseeing the process, with the new line-up expected to come into effect in spring 2011 for a three-year term.

By Sofia Lind

3 minute read

November 17, 2010 | International Edition

Norton Rose is targeting a US merger as the next major step in its expansionist agenda, as the top 10 UK firm bids to become a top 25 global player within the coming years. The news comes after Norton Rose this week (15 November) announced Swiss Verein mergers with Canada's Ogilvy Renault and South Africa's Deneys Reitz. The ambitious plans now also put Brazil and Latin America within the firm's sights.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

November 17, 2010 | International Edition

Stephenson Harwood has posted one of the largest revenue boosts so far reported at the half-year point, with the firm recording a 17% increase on the same period last year. The top 30 UK firm has recorded revenues of £49.6m for the first six months of the 2010-11 financial year, marking a 16.6% increase on the same stage last year when it took in £42.6m. The firm said the rise came on the back of an exceptionally strong performance in its contentious practice, in addition to significant growth in the non-contentious practices.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

November 16, 2010 | International Edition

A raft of law firms including Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom are advising on Doughty Hanson's £450m acquisition of cinema chain Vue Entertainment. Skadden advised Doughty, with London partner Allan Murray-Jones and counsel Julie Bradshaw leading the US law firm's corporate team and finance partner Mark Darley advising on the debt side.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read