Suzi Ring

July 21, 2011 | International Edition

Australia's Mallesons Stephen Jaques and Chinese leader King & Wood are in talks about forming an alliance, in what would mark a significant tie-up in the Asia-Pacific market. The pair have discussed creating some sort of link or alliance, with one possibility a combination through a verein structure - as used by firms including Norton Rose - which would allow the firms to keep separate finances while centralising some functions.

By Suzi Ring

3 minute read

July 21, 2011 | International Edition

Ropes & Gray has launched an office in Shanghai, marking the US firm's third presence in Asia. The office, which went live today (21 July), will be headed by private equity partner Arthur Mok. Prior to his move to Shanghai, Mok worked in the firm's Hong Kong and Washington DC offices.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

July 21, 2011 | International Edition

Harbottle & Lewis has been allowed to defend its controversial role in the phone hacking saga, after former client News International agreed to free it from client confidentiality requirements. News International last night (20 July) authorised the West End firm to answer questions from the police and Parliamentary select committees - marking a U-turn on its previous stance, which had seen the company refuse Harbottle permission to waive client confidentiality and speak out about its role.

By Suzi Ring

3 minute read

July 20, 2011 | International Edition

Macfarlanes and Herbert Smith have lined up to advise on the acquisition of marketing company Tag by business process outsourcer Williams Lea. Macfarlanes advised Williams Lea led by corporate partner Stephen Drewitt, while Herbert Smith advised Tag, led by corporate partner James MacArthur. Drewitt previously advised private equity group 3i on the £110m sale of its 38% stake in Williams Lea to Deutsche Post in 2006.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

July 20, 2011 | International Edition

Bird & Bird, Clyde & Co, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and DLA Piper have emerged among the best-performing firms in the top 25 over the last five years, but Legal Week research confirms that many smaller firms have outpaced their larger rivals in growth terms. Of the UK's top 25 law firms, Bird & Bird has seen the largest percentage jump in revenues since 2005-06, rising 121.9% from £96.7m five years ago to £214.6m in 2010-11.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

July 20, 2011 | International Edition

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) saw the largest percentage increase in profits per equity partner (PEP) across the UK top 50 this year, with the firm attributing its 57.5% hike to continued investment throughout the recession. The firm posted PEP of £712,000 for 2010-11, up from £452,000 last year, against a 20% rise in turnover to £229m.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

July 20, 2011 | International Edition

Insurance and shipping firms have once again outpaced the UK top 50, with the firms seeing both revenues and profits per equity partner (PEP) increase by an average of 10.3%. The group, which comprises Clyde & Co, Barlow Lyde & Gilbert, Holman Fenwick Willan, Kennedys, Watson Farley & Williams, Ince & Co and Berrymans Lace Mawer, represents the only law firm grouping to see double-digit increases in both PEP 
and turnover.

By Suzi Ring

3 minute read

July 20, 2011 | International Edition

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer was the only magic circle firm to see profits per equity partner (PEP) fall during 2010-11, with PEP dipping by to £1.308m, down from £1.406m, while revenue stayed broadly static at £1.14bn. Despite the drop in profits, the firm remains second only to Slaughter and May as the most profitable firm in the UK top 50 and has also seen greater PEP growth over the last five years.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

July 20, 2011 | International Edition

Hogan Lovells has bulked up in Germany with the hire of a five-lawyer corporate team from local outfit Broich Bezzenberger. The team, which is led by partners Karin Arnold and Thomas Keul, joined Hogan Lovells' Berlin office earlier this week, alongside of counsel Gerold Bezzenberger and two associates.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

July 20, 2011 | International Edition

Harbottle & Lewis has asked - and been refused - permission by its former client, News International, to waive client confidentially to speak out on its controversial role in the phone-hacking saga in the wake of closely-watched Parliamentary hearings this week. The West End law firm issued a statement yesterday (19 July) following evidence presented to a Parliamentary committee by News Corporation chief Rupert Murdoch and his son James regarding alleged phone-hacking at the now-defunct tabloid the News of the World.

By Suzi Ring

4 minute read