Suzi Ring

June 22, 2011 | International Edition

Norton Rose and Allen & Overy (A&O) have been identified as the firms UK lawyers would most like to work for, according to a flagship research project from Legal Week. The finding, contained within Legal Week Intelligence's 2011 Employee Satisfaction Report, is based on the responses of more than 4,000 lawyers.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

June 22, 2011 | International Edition

Beachcroft is in merger talks with Davies Arnold Cooper (DAC) in a deal that would create an insurance law firm with combined revenues of around £175m. The move - which follows news of merger talks between fellow insurance specialists Clyde & Co and Barlow Lyde & Gilbert - would gift both firms a broader international presence, with Beachcroft currently housing offices outside of England in Dublin, Wales, Brussels, Singapore and New Zealand, while DAC has a presence in Spain and Mexico.

By Suzi Ring

3 minute read

June 22, 2011 | International Edition

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) City partner Peter McGowan is set to leave the firm to join Proskauer Rose. McGowan will start at Proskauer's London office next week after six years as a partner in BLP's financial services and funds practice.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

June 21, 2011 | International Edition

The Government's plans for drastic legal aid cuts have been confirmed today by Justice Secretary Ken Clarke, alongside wholesale backing of the Jackson reforms of civil litigation costs. The plans were unveiled today (21 June) in the new Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill, with the Government ploughing ahead with previously laid-out cuts in a bid to significantly reduce its £2.1bn annual legal aid bill.

By Suzi Ring

4 minute read

June 21, 2011 | International Edition

Berrymans Lace Mawer has made its first non-lawyer promotion to the equity in a move that has seen the firm convert to a legal disciplinary practice (LDP). Head of policy development Alistair Kinley has joined Berrymans' equity partnership after five years at the firm alongside four further promotions of salaried partners to the equity.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

June 20, 2011 | International Edition

Holman Fenwick Willan is set to bulk up its Asia practice with a number of hires and relocations as the firm's focus on the region increases. Ex-Simmons & Simmons corporate partner Jonathan Moult is joining the firm's Hong Kong office in September, while shipping and transport partner David Coogans, formerly of Reed Smith Richards Butler in Hong Kong, is set to join Holman's Sydney base in July.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

June 15, 2011 | International Edition

Eversheds is set to launch an office in Hamburg in response to growing client demand in the region. The office will go live in October this year, with Munich corporate partners Carola Rathke and Sebastian Zeeck due to relocate to Hamburg to co-head the new branch alongside a team of 
four associates.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

June 15, 2011 | International Edition

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Skadden Arps Slate 
Meagher & Flom have advised on Huaneng Renewables' $800m (£500m) Hong Kong initial public offering (IPO). Skadden took the lead role for the Chinese renewable energy company, fielding a team led by Hong Kong corporate partner Dominic Tsun alongside Shanghai corporate and M&A 
partner Gregory Miao.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

June 15, 2011 | International Edition

Herbert Smith, SJ Berwin and Addleshaw Goddard have all won roles on the £215m sale of designer shoe retailer Kurt Geiger to US clothing company The Jones Group. Herbert Smith advised Jones Group with a team led by City corporate partner Ben Ward alongside real estate partner Martin Dawbney and finance partner Kristen Roberts.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

June 15, 2011 | International Edition

Macfarlanes corporate and M&A partner Garrett Hayes has left the firm to join Paul Hastings Janofsky & Walker in London. Hayes, who specialises in M&A and private equity advice and acts primarily for private equity sponsors and portfolio companies on leveraged buyouts, restructurings and auctions, joins the US firm after 16 years at Macfarlanes. He had been a partner since 2005.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read