Sofia Lind

September 01, 2010 | International Edition

The CMS network of law firms has taken the next step in its bid to be viewed as a united firm, with lawyers set to be issued with uniformly branded CMS business cards from next month. The network, which includes CMS Cameron McKenna in the UK, will give precedence to the CMS brand on business cards and marketing material, with the longer firm-specific name only appearing in the small print.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

August 31, 2010 | International Edition

Denton Wilde Sapte and Allen & Overy (A&O) have taken lead roles on a $1.1bn (£716m) project finance deal in the Middle East. Dentons has advised Abu Dhabi Government-affiliated metals company Emirates Steel on the seven-year deal, with a team led by Middle East managing partner Neil Cuthbert and Abu Dhabi project finance partner Udayan Mukherjee.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

August 27, 2010 | International Edition

A raft of law firms have taken advisory roles as West China Cement became the first Chinese issuer to transfer its listing from London to Hong Kong earlier this week (23 August). The deal handed roles to West End firm Memery Crystal, US firms Sidley Austin and Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe, and offshore practice Carey Olsen.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

August 24, 2010 | International Edition

Clifford Chance (CC) has elected a new global real estate head with the firm's Spanish practice chief taking on the firmwide remit. Alfonso Benavides will take on the role from 1 September, suceeding Cliff McAuley, who is retiring from the firm. McAuley has led the real estate practice group for more than seven years after first being appointed in January 2003.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

August 20, 2010 | International Edition

Allen & Overy (A&O) is set to empty out its Canary Wharf outpost with the relocation of 200 staff to back to its City headquarters. The group, which consists of lawyers and staff from the firm's banking practice, will join the rest of the firm in its Bishops Square headquarters in Liverpool Street. A&O took on the 64,500 sq ft space at 40 Bank Street in Canary Wharf in 2003, and will now aim to sublet two out of three floors while retaining the top floor as meeting rooms. The magic circle firm has already appointed agents to find suitable tenants.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

August 18, 2010 | International Edition

Herbert Smith and Allen & Overy (A&O) have taken lead roles on a major Russian finance deal which has seen Gazprom Neft secure loans of up to $1.5bn (£963m). The oil unit of Russia energy giant Gazprom has lined up financing of $1.35m (£866m) so far, a figure which could rise to $1.5bn if more lenders are signed up. Herbert Smith is advising Gazprom Neft with a team led by Moscow-based energy finance partner Ed Baring.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

August 17, 2010 | International Edition

Linklaters has taken the lead role for BP as the oil giant moves to borrow $5bn (£3bn) by pledging sales revenues from two oil fields. BP has raised the multibillion-dollar sum via a banking deal involving oil revenues from two separate fields in Azerbaijan and Angola, with Herbert Smith advising the arranging banks on the $3bn (£2bn) Angola loan and Baker & McKenzie advising the banks on the Azerbaijan deal.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

August 13, 2010 | International Edition

Hammonds has scored a role advising Leicester City Football Club on its takeover by Thai consortium Asia Football Investments. The deal saw Hammonds City-based corporate finance partner David Hull lead the firm's team advising owner and chairman Milan Mandaric and the Championship club's management on the deal. The Hammonds team also included London-based commercial partner Stephen Sampson, who heads the firm's sports group, and tax partner Patrick Ford.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

August 12, 2010 | International Edition

Herbert Smith alliance firm Stibbe is set to boost its Benelux coverage with the launch of an office in Luxembourg. The new office, which will open for business on 1 September, will be led by Loyens & Loeff's former Luxembourg head Dirk Leermakers, who has joined Stibbe from local firm Bonn Schmitt Steichen together with a team of three lawyers. The Luxembourg launch marks the sixth office for Stibbe, alongside its two principal bases in Amsterdam and Brussels and offices in London, New York and Dubai. Stibbe has been part of an alliance with UK top 10 firm Herbert Smith and Germany's Gleiss Lutz since 2002.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

August 11, 2010 | International Edition

Linklaters has become the latest magic circle firm to post trainee retention rates with the City giant keeping on 87% of September qualifiers.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read