Suzi Ring

April 04, 2012 | International Edition

Linklaters has topped Mergermarket's European M&A rankings by value and volume for the first quarter of 2012, with the magic circle law firm seeing its position boosted by a role on the largest global deal of the period – the proposed $53.5bn (£33.4bn) merger between commodities trader Glencore and mining giant Xstrata. Overall trend data from Mergermarket shows both global and European M&A volumes fell to their lowest levels in nearly three years during the quarter, down by more than 20% compared with Q1 2011.

By Suzi Ring

3 minute read

April 04, 2012 | International Edition

Fixed-fee technology firm Radiant Law is set to branch out into litigation after a successful first year in business which has seen it sign up a number of big-name clients. The technology, outsourcing and commercial law boutique, which was launched by a group of partners from legacy Barlow Lyde & Gilbert, Latham & Watkins and Morrison & Foerster (MoFo) early last year, has now added litigation to its offering with the hire of partners Anna Cook from Wedlake Bell and Sarah Hill from TLT Solicitors.

By Suzi Ring

4 minute read

April 04, 2012 | International Edition

If further proof were needed of the growing trend for leading litigators to spin off from large firms to form their own boutiques, Hogan Lovells duo Graham Huntley and Helen Brannigan provided it last month with news of the launch of Signature Litigation.

By Suzi Ring

5 minute read

April 04, 2012 | International Edition

Travers Smith's highest-paid partner took home £1.3m last year, marking a 25% increase on the largest payout in 2009-10. The figures, included in the firm's limited liability partnership (LLP) accounts recently filed on Companies House, show that the highest-paid partner received £258,000 more in 2010-11 than the £1.04m paid out the previous year.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

April 04, 2012 | International Edition

Clyde & Co is facing a partner walkout in Hong Kong as all seven legacy Barlow Lyde & Gilbert partners exit the firm's local arm to join a trio of UK rivals. Hong Kong senior partner David Smyth, marine insurance partner Andrew Horton, insurance partner Antony Sassi and disputes partner Gary Yin are all set to join Reynolds Porter Chamberlain (RPC), with the firm understood to be opening an office in the region with the new hires.

By Suzi Ring

3 minute read

April 04, 2012 | International Edition

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Kirkland & Ellis have advised on the €2.65bn (£2.2bn) sale of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) brewing group StarBev to Canada's Molson Coors. Freshfields advised StarBev and private equity owner CVC Capital Partners, fielding a team under corporate partner Chris Bown, finance partners Duncan Kellaway and Martin Hutchings, competition partner Alastair Chapman and tax partner Jill Gatehouse.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

April 02, 2012 | International Edition

Ex-Herbert Smith senior partner David Gold's appointment to lead the inquiry into the 'cash for access' scandal is facing further scrutiny after details of his former firm's links to Conservative Party co-chair Lord Feldman emerged today (2 April). Feldman, who according to The Telegraph was responsible for hiring Tory former Party treasurer Peter Cruddas, has used Herbert Smith as his go-to law firm for many years.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

March 30, 2012 | International Edition

Macfarlanes has announced its annual partner promotions, with five new lawyers made up in an increase on last year's round. The promotions have seen Alex Amos made up in the funds practice, Nicholas Barclay in corporate, Oliver Court in private client, Michael Ranson in the private client property practice and Will Sykes in the derivatives and funds group.

By Suzi Ring

3 minute read

March 30, 2012 | International Edition

Slaughter and May and Allen & Overy (A&O) have become the latest magic circle firms to announce their partner promotions, with 23 made up at A&O and two added to the senior rank at Slaughters. The Slaughters promotions are shared between the firm's London and Hong Kong offices, with financing lawyer Ed Fife made up in London. Fife has been at the firm since joining as a trainee in 2003 and has handled work for key clients including Akzo Nobel, ISS, GlaxoSmithKline and First Group.

By Suzi Ring

3 minute read

March 29, 2012 | International Edition

Linklaters and Allens Arthur Robinson (AAR) are set to vote on an exclusive formal alliance next month, as the Australian firm's former best friend Slaughter and May reconsiders its relationships in the region. Following ongoing discussions, Linklaters will vote on the proposed agreement at its partner conference next month, with a vote at AAR expected to follow shortly after.

By Suzi Ring

3 minute read