Sofia Lind

June 23, 2010 | International Edition

Clifford Chance (CC) City partner Nigel Wellings is set to relocate to Dubai next week (30 June) as the magic circle firm moves to boost its corporate offering in the region. Wellings has spent his entire legal career with CC, having joined as a trainee in 1995, qualified as a solicitor in 1997 and joined the partner rank in 2006.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

June 22, 2010 | International Edition

Stephenson Harwood has posted mixed financial results, growing revenue by 8% while average profits per equity partner (PEP) fell by the same percentage point. The results for the 2009-10 financial year saw the firm break the £90m revenue barrier for the first time at £91.9m, compared to £85.1m the previous year.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

June 22, 2010 | International Edition

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has hired a high-profile City real estate partner from Linklaters. James Knox will join the City rival's senior equity partnership after 23 years at the magic circle law firm, having joined as an assistant in 1987 and made partner in 1999.

By Sofia Lind

1 minute read

June 22, 2010 | International Edition

Simmons & Simmons is set to boost its financial services practice with the hire of Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) City partner Jonathan Marsh. Marsh will become the fifth non-contentious regulatory partner in London, alongside Sarah Bowles, Darren Fox, Jonathan Melrose and Charlotte Stalin.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

June 22, 2010 | International Edition

A trio of UK law firms have taken roles on British energy company Dana Petroleum's largest-ever acquisition - the e328m (£274m) takeover of Petro-Canada Netherlands. Allen & Overy (A&O) and McGrigors both advised Dana, while Petro-Canada and its parent company Suncor Energy instructed Herbert Smith on the sale.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

June 22, 2010 | International Edition

Chancellor George Osborne's banking regulation shake-up has been met with a cool reception from City lawyers as many raise doubts about the move to largely abolish the Financial Services Authority (FSA). The overhaul, which was announced last week (16 June), will see a major increase in power for the Bank of England, which will take on a new remit to police market risk.

By Sofia Lind

4 minute read

June 22, 2010 | International Edition

Hogan Lovells has recruited SJ Berwin banking partner Stuart Brinkworth to its City finance practice, marking its second hire since its merger went live last month. Brinkworth will join the transatlantic law firm's London office on 1 October, as part of the firm's bid to grow its finance and corporate practices. He will join the London banking team led by City partner Matthew Cottis.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

June 22, 2010 | International Edition

LG has posted a 64% increase in profits per equity partner (PEP) in a dramatic turnaround for the UK top 50 firm. Profits at the City law firm rose sharply from last year's figure of £281,000 to a new high of £460,000, after falling by 35% in 2008-09. The firm's PEP is now higher than it was during the boom year of 2007-08, when it stood at £430,000.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

June 21, 2010 | International Edition

CMS Cameron McKenna is set to overhaul its associate career track, with lawyers at the firm informed about the changes last week (18 June). The new system, which will take effect at the end of the current financial year, will see the firm abandon the traditional post-qualification experience (PQE) associate lockstep structure.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

June 18, 2010 | International Edition

Simmons & Simmons has informed its partners that it is discussing a merger with Mayer Brown. Senior partner David Dickinson confirmed the talks in an email to the partnership last night (17 June), which stated that the two firms are in "preliminary discussions" about a merger. The note also said that the partners will be informed further about the talks next week. It has been added as a point to the agenda of a scheduled partner meeting due to take place next Friday (25 June), at which other topics will include the voting on this year's new partner promotions.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read