Suzi Ring

December 06, 2012 | International Edition

Herbert Smith Freehills is expanding its Belfast document review centre to handle corporate and real estate work for the first time. The Belfast office, which opened in April 2011 as a support arm for the firm's litigation practice, will now offer services in corporate and real estate due diligence and real estate asset management. The firm also plans to develop support for its funds practice as well.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

December 05, 2012 | International Edition

Herbert Smith Freehills London litigation partner Kevin Lloyd has resigned from the firm to join Debevoise & Plimpton, marking the second high-profile departure for a US firm since the merger between legacy Herbert Smith and Freehills went live in October. Lloyd, who is understood to have handed in his notice in recent weeks, is expected to join Debevoise as a partner next year, when he will work alongside Debevoise's Europe and Asia litigation chair Lord Goldsmith QC. His start date has yet to be confirmed.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

November 22, 2012 | International Edition

Recently retired Supreme Court president Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers is returning to his former set Brick Court Chambers as an arbitrator. His appointment is effective from today (22 November). He will sit with around 20 international arbitrators at the set, the majority of who are silks.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

November 21, 2012 | International Edition

Lord Chief Justice Lord Judge has announced he will retire next September, with his replacement set to be named in early 2013. The announcement was made today (21 November) after Judge wrote to the Lord Chancellor informing him of his decision.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

November 19, 2012 | International Edition

Allen & Overy (A&O), Wragge & Co and Nabarro have announced their half-year results for 2012-13, as tough markets continue to impact on law firm financial performance across the UK top 50. A&O has seen revenues fall at the half-year point, with turnover down 2.7% to £566m from the 2011-12 H1 figure of £582m. However, the firm said that on a constant currency basis, reported turnover grew by 1%.

By Suzi Ring

4 minute read

November 16, 2012 | International Edition

Cravath Swaine & Moore and DLA Piper have advised on Starbucks' $620m (£391m) acquisition of speciality tea company Teavana. Cravath acted for Starbucks with a team led by New York corporate partner Faiza Saeed alongside fellow corporate partners Eric Schiele and Matthew Morreale, tax partner Lauren Angelilli, executive compensation and benefits head Eric Hilfers and real estate partner Kevin Grehan.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

November 13, 2012 | International Edition

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer Germany corporate partner Hildegard Bison has left the firm to take up the role of of legal head at BP Europa and assistant GC of the global oil giant. Bison started at BP Europa - which covers BP's operations in Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria and Poland - on 1 November this year.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

November 13, 2012 | International Edition

Clyde & Co has posted a 37% revenue increase at the half-year point of 2012-13, following last year's merger with Barlow Lyde & Gilbert. The UK top 20 firm has seen turnover reach around £145m for the first half of 2012-13. Discounting revenues gained from the Barlows merger, like-for-like turnover is up 10% on 2011-12.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

November 09, 2012 | International Edition

Macfarlanes' best-paid partner during 2011-12 took home £1.16m - nearly 50% less than last year's top earner. The figure, included the firm's recently filed 2011-12 accounts, is down 47% on last year's top payout of £2.2m. However, that figure included payments relating to the partner's retirement.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

November 09, 2012 | International Edition

Former solicitor general Sir Edward Garnier QC has been appointed to represent former Conservative Party treasurer Lord McAlpine over allegations linking him to historical child abuse. Garnier, who is now at One Brick Court, has been instructed as counsel for the Conservative peer by Andrew Reid of RMPI, formerly Reid Minty.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read