Suzi Ring

February 28, 2012 | International Edition

Watson Farley & Williams has grown its City real estate arm with the hire of Taylor Wessing partner Lorraine Ufland. Ufland joined Watson Farley yesterday (27 February) after two and a half years at the fellow UK top 40 firm. She joined Taylor Wessing in 2009 after six years at US firm White & Case, and is also a former LG partner.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

February 27, 2012 | International Edition

EU lobbying law firm Alber & Geiger is launching in London in a bid to target international companies with a presence in the capital. The Brussels-based firm will open its City office in Westminster's Berkeley Square in March, with partner Lord Charles Henry Plumb heading up the new base.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

February 27, 2012 | International Edition

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has secured an eye-catching hire for its City corporate team with the addition of Linklaters' former global corporate head David Barnes. Barnes will join BLP next month as a partner in the firm's London corporate group after retiring from Linklaters last summer.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

February 23, 2012 | International Edition

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) and Herbert Smith have advised on Blackstone's £220m purchase of an industrial property portfolio from real estate developer Prologis. BLP took a first-time role for new client Prologis with a team led by real estate partner James Knox, corporate finance partner Rob Salter and tax partner Neville Wright.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

February 23, 2012 | International Edition

Mishcon de Reya is set to branch out into non-legal services, with the firm planning to launch a private client business for high-net-worth individuals. The UK law firm plans to create a new venture that will see it offer individuals and families with assets of more than £50m access to their own team of non-legal advisers, offering services such as private bank relationship management advice, tax advice and concierge services.

By Suzi Ring

4 minute read

February 23, 2012 | International Edition

Clifford Chance (CC), Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Allen & Overy (A&O) are among a raft of firms to have been appointed to Credit Suisse's EMEA panel. The trio have been reappointed to the roster alongside firms including Herbert Smith, Simmons & Simmons and Ashurst. Linklaters, which still has a close relationship with Credit Suisse, is not on the EMEA roster. It is unclear whether the magic circle firm was appointed to the panel during its last review in 2009.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

February 23, 2012 | International Edition

Kennedys is considering taking external investment to develop a range of new litigation products, as the firm moves to capitalise on its forthcoming conversion to an alternative business structure (ABS). The firm is currently piloting a web-based product, dubbed KLAIM, which will allow clients to carry out the initial stages of litigation themselves and help them to independently resolve low-value cases that are likely to settle quickly.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

February 23, 2012 | International Edition

Ashurst and Allen & Overy (A&O) have taken roles on the €355m (£295m) sale of one of Spain's largest hospital operators to private equity house Doughty Hanson. Ashurst advised Doughty on its acquisition of USP Hospitales led by European corporate head Simon Beddow in London and Madrid corporate head Jesus Almoguera, alongside Madrid technology and commercial head Carmen Perete.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

February 23, 2012 | International Edition

DLA Piper-backed venture Riverview Law is facing much market scrutiny as the new fixed-fee business goes live. Sofia Lind and Suzanna Ring report...

By Suzi Ring

5 minute read

February 23, 2012 | International Edition

Over a decade and a bit, irreverent legal website RollOnFriday has given City associates a voice and become respectable – almost. Suzanna Ring and Alex Novarese report...

By Suzi Ring

18 minute read