Sofia Lind

June 18, 2010 | International Edition

Norton Rose has posted a marginal drop in turnover for the last financial year, with an announcement on profit per equity partner (PEP) delayed while the firm finalises its 2009-10 figures. The UK top 10 firm saw revenues fall by 2% over the year to £307m, from a total of £314m taken in during 2008-09.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

June 18, 2010 | International Edition

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

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

June 17, 2010 | International Edition

A sweeping shake-up of banking regulation has met with a cool reception from City lawyers with doubts raised about the move to largely abolish the Financial Services Authority (FSA). The overhaul, which was announced last night (16 July) by Chancellor George Osborne at the annual Mansion House speech, 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

3 minute read

June 17, 2010 | International Edition

Reed Smith, K&L Gates and Bryan Cave are among a group of US-based practices that would actively consider a merger with a London firm, according to Legal Week research. The finding is contained in Legal Week's annual international firms in London focus, which includes submissions from most major foreign practices operating in the Square Mile.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

June 16, 2010 | International Edition

Simmons & Simmons' human resources (HR) director John Lucy has resigned after accepting a job at rival UK firm Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP). Lucy is set to replace BLP's current HR director Geoff Griffin later this year, following the announcement that he intends to retire this autumn. Griffin has spent 14 years at BLP and will stay on as a part-time consultant, advising the firm on partner coaching and performance.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

June 16, 2010 | International Edition

Denton Wilde Sapte's tie-up with Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal was confirmed after partners were asked to express their support at an open meeting, it has emerged. The voting process at Dentons saw partners asked to indicate their support by raising their hands at a meeting in London, with 156 out of 158 voting in favour. Seventy-three partners voted via proxy, while two partners were absent and had not appointed a proxy.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

June 15, 2010 | International Edition

Clifford Chance (CC) has voted in Jeremy Sandelson as leader of the firm's London litigation group alongside his existing role as global litigation head. Sandelson, CC's former London managing partner, will take over the position from Nick Munday, who was seconded to the magic circle firm's Moscow office earlier this year.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

June 15, 2010 | International Edition

Clifford Chance (CC) has reelected its Gulf managing partner with litigator Graham Lovett set to serve another term as the leader of the magic circle firm's Middle East practice. The appointment came after CC partners in the region voted in favour of handing Lovett a second term. He was first voted into the role in 2005, and his new term will last for four years from 1 July.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

June 14, 2010 | International Edition

Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom is set to boost its Brussels office with the hire of Clifford Chance (CC) global antitrust head Simon Baxter. Baxter, who became a partner with CC in 1998, resigned earlier this month (3 June) and will join the US firm on Wednesday (16 June).

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

June 14, 2010 | International Edition

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has announced improved financial results for 2009-10 after the firm's profits dropped by a third last year. The UK top 20 firm has estimated that average profits per equity partner (PEP) will stand at £455,000 based on this year's financial results, up 9.9% from 2008-09 when PEP fell by 33.2% to £414,000.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read