Sofia Lind

November 01, 2010 | International Edition

Simmons & Simmons has converted to a limited liability partnership (LLP) becoming one of the last firms among the UK top 20 to do so. Simmons is a late adopter of the legal structure among the UK's top firms after previously postponing a conversion in the hope that the firm's Hong Kong office would be allowed to be included in the structure. Simmons has now chosen to set up the LLP with a separate Hong Kong structure, with Hong Kong regulators still working on proposals to permit LLPs in the region.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

October 29, 2010 | International Edition

Hammonds and Addleshaw Goddard have won lead roles on the proposed takeover of Blackburn Rovers Football Club by an Indian poultry farming company. The Premier League club's owners are currently in talks with the Venky's group about a sale, reportedly worth around £40m, which is expected to close within weeks. Hammonds has won a role advising Venky's, fielding a team led by sports law heavyweight David Hull, a partner in the corporate strategy & finance department in the national firm's London office.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

October 28, 2010 | International Edition

SNR Denton has won a lead role on a major South American deal which has seen JP Morgan step up its commitment to emerging markets by taking a majority stake in a $6bn (£4bn) Brazilian hedge fund. Highbridge Capital Management, an asset management firm owned by JP Morgan, yesterday (27 October) announced the purchase of a 55% stake in hedge fund and private equity firm Gavea, which is headed up by Brazil's former central bank chief, Arminio Fraga.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

October 27, 2010 | International Edition

Allen & Overy (A&O) has won a first-time spot on Russian investment bank Renaissance Capital's (RenCap's) legal panel. The magic circle firm is the only new global addition to the roster following the review, which has seen all six existing advisers reappointed and a small number of firms added in specific jurisdictions. The overhaul means A&O will line up alongside existing panel members Herbert Smith, Hogan Lovells, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, White & Case, Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom and Latham & Watkins to advise the bank.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

October 27, 2010 | International Edition

Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy has hired a high yield specialist from the City arm of New York rival Weil Gotshal & Manges as leading law firms continue to invest in their deal finance teams. Peter Schwartz is joining as a partner in Milbank's global securities group in London. His practice is focused primarily on representing underwriters and issuers in securities offerings, particularly high yield debt. The US and UK-qualified Schwartz, who was in 2008 promoted to partner at Weil Gotshal, also has experience of covering equity capital markets transactions.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

October 26, 2010 | International Edition

Clifford Chance's (CC) senior partner election is moving to a second stage of voting after no clear winner emerged in the round which closed yesterday (25 October). None of the three partners in the running - London finance partner Malcolm Sweeting, German M&A and corporate finance partner Daniela Weber-Rey and City tax partner Jonathan Elman - secured enough of a majority in yesterday's vote to replace outgoing senior partner Stuart Popham.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

October 26, 2010 | International Edition

Nabarro and Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) have taken lead roles on a joint venture to build London's landmark Walkie Talkie tower, at an estimated cost of half a billion pounds. The City skyscraper will be built through a 50/50 joint venture set-up by Land Securities and Canary Wharf Group, which has been backed with investment from a syndicate including China Investment Corporation and Qatar Holding.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

October 26, 2010 | International Edition

Taylor Wessing is set to launch an online business development (BD) training platform as part of its bid to increase the amount of time its lawyers spend on client relationship projects. The online programme will go live in mid-November and will make BD-related guidance notes, videos and podcasts available to all fee earners from their desktops.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

October 26, 2010 | International Edition

Barclays has hired Nomura's joint general counsel for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) to lead the legal team for its global retail banking division. Mark Chapman is set to join Barclays later this year as general counsel for the retail division, overseeing the business's global legal function across 21 countries. The former Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer lawyer will report to Barclays' group GC Mark Harding and chief financial officer for global retail banking Peter Estlin.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

October 22, 2010 | International Edition

Corporate law firms could face increasing scrutiny of their M&A fees as part of proposals by the UK Takeover Code Committee to overhaul merger rules and protect target companies from hostile bids. The proposals - published yesterday (21 October) in response to a consultation carried out after Kraft's controversial takeover of Cadbury - include a suggestion that corporates should disclose a breakdown of estimated fees payable to advisers. This would include fees payable to law firms as well as financial advisers, accountants and PR advisers.

By Sofia Lind

3 minute read