Sofia Lind

April 26, 2012 | International Edition

Norton Rose has strengthened its London structured finance and capital markets practice with the hire of former Allen & Overy (A&O) partner David Shearer.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

April 26, 2012 | International Edition

A trio of high-profile former law firm senior partners have teamed up to launch a new service intended to help partners find non-executive positions with charities. Former Simmons & Simmons senior partner Bill Knight has joined forces with ex-Allen & Overy and Slaughter and May counterparts Guy Beringer and Tim Clark to launch the new venture alongside RollonFriday founder Matthew Rhodes...

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

April 26, 2012 | International Edition

Allen & Overy (A&O) has promoted 33 lawyers globally to its counsel rank, with Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer making up 17 to the same position. A&O's promotions, which are effective as of 1 May, cover five practice groups - banking, corporate, international capital markets (ICM), litigation and tax - and are shared between 15 offices, with five in London.

By Sofia Lind

3 minute read

April 25, 2012 | International Edition

The Government is considering introducing 'opt-out' collective actions to enable consumers and businesses to more easily reclaim losses resulting from anti-competitive behaviour. The proposal, which could bring the UK's regime more in line with the US class action system, is part of a consultation launched by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) yesterday (24 April).

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

April 25, 2012 | International Edition

The Supreme Court has dismissed a challenge to an attempt by a law firm to enforce a compulsory retirement age against a partner, in a key ruling for the legal profession and employers in general. The Court today (25 April) handed down its judgment in the high-profile Seldon vs Clarkson Wright & Jakes (CWJ) age discrimination case, dismissing the appeal by Leslie Seldon.

By Sofia Lind

7 minute read

April 25, 2012 | International Edition

Stephenson Harwood has taken a key role in overturning a Financial Services Authority (FSA) decision to fine a former UBS executive for misconduct in relation to compliance failures that occurred under his supervision. The firm acted for John Pottage, the former chief executive of UBS's UK wealth management division, on his successful appeal against the £100,000 fine.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

April 25, 2012 | International Edition

Hogan Lovells has named retail banking head Emily Reid as the new London representative on its board, succeeding Nicholas Cheffings following his appointment as the firm's first sole chairman. Reid (pictured) took the board role after standing against real estate partner Gill McGreevy, insolvency partner Joe Bannister and litigator Jeremy Cole, who were put forward by the firm as candidates.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

April 24, 2012 | International Edition

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has backed calls by the Legal Services Board (LSB) to make will-writing and estate administration reserved legal activities, bringing them under the scope of legal services regulation, regardless of who provides them.

By Sofia Lind

3 minute read

April 23, 2012 | International Edition

Stephenson Harwood is gearing up to launch in Dubai as the firm sets its strategic sights on growth in the Middle East. The new office will focus on finance, litigation and corporate work, in particular in the energy sector. London commercial litigation partner Rovine Chandrasekera is set to relocate to Dubai to head up the office when a licence is granted.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

April 22, 2012 | International Edition

Clifford Chance (CC) and Linklaters have advised on a major Asian deal that will see Singapore's sovereign wealth fund Temasek acquire shares worth $2.3bn (£1.5bn) in the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) from Goldman Sachs. The deal, announced last week (16 April), will see Temasek buy all of Goldman's H-shares - shares listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange - taking its ownership of H-shares to 5.3% and its total stake in ICBC - the world's largest bank by market value - to 1.3%.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read