Suzi Ring

March 10, 2011 | International Edition

Former Attorney General Baroness Scotland is rejoining the Bar today (10 March) to take up a new role at 4 Paper Buildings. The move will see her return to practising children's law, an area she focused on prior to her political career, with 4 Paper Buildings one of the leading sets in the UK in this sector. Scotland's political career has spanned the past decade including three years as Attorney General and four years as minister of state for the criminal justice system and law reform.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

March 10, 2011 | International Edition

Watson Farley & Williams is to launch a tax practice in Madrid with the hire of a partner from Landwell PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Tax & Legal Services in Spain. Luis Soto is set to join the Madrid arm of Watson Farley next week, when he will become the fifth partner in the firm's Spanish office. Soto is a domestic and international tax lawyer with a focus on tax matters relating to project finance, restructuring, renewable energy, real estate and shipping. He has been at Landwell PwC for the last 15 years.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

March 09, 2011 | International Edition

L'Oreal has appointed Baker & McKenzie as its primary UK legal adviser, following a review by the beauty products giant of its external legal advisers in the region. The cosmetics company appointed Bakers at the end of last year after a competitive tender process, cementing a longstanding relationship between the firm and L'Oreal.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

March 09, 2011 | International Edition

Crowell & Moring has recruited Sidley Austin international trade partner Laurent Ruessmann to head up the US firm's European trade practice in Brussels. Ruessmann joined the firm this week as the first partner in Crowell's local European trade group.

By Suzi Ring

1 minute read

March 09, 2011 | International Edition

Linklaters, Mishcon de Reya and Stewarts Law are set for a high-profile battle over €50m (£43m) in unpaid bankers' bonuses after an appeal court ruling this week. The Court of Appeal on Tuesday (8 March) granted more than 100 former Dresdner Kleinwort bankers permission to challenge Commerzbank in a dispute over bonuses.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

March 09, 2011 | International Edition

Italian independent NCTM has launched a shipping practice with the hire of a team from local firm Conte & Giacomini. Shipping partners Alberto Rossi and Alberto Torrazza joined NCTM's Milan office earlier this week, bringing with them a team including associates Valerio Scarsi and Sara Dameri. The practice has been launched as the Italian firm moves to increase the number of specialisations it offers.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

March 08, 2011 | International Edition

Allen & Overy (A&O) has bulked up its German arm with the hire of a banking regulation and investment funds team from Norton Rose led by partner Frank Herring. Herring is set to join A&O in Frankfurt on 1 April from Norton Rose along with three associates. He currently heads Norton Rose's Frankfurt banking regulation and investment funds practice.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

March 08, 2011 | International Edition

Clyde & Co has grown its New York arm with the hire of O'Melveny & Myers insurance and reinsurance chair Paul Koepff. Koepff, who is joining the UK firm this month, will take the total number of partners in Clydes' New York insurance and reinsurance practice to six. He specialises in litigating in insurance and reinsurance-related disputes, and will be the ninth partner in Clydes' New York base.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

March 07, 2011 | International Edition

Weightmans is set to acquire the insurance division of Vizards Wyeth next month, including the firm's senior partner Mark Newman. The deal, which will take effect on 1 April, will see around 25 lawyers joining Weightmans, including 13 partners. Weightmans will also take over Vizards' Dartford office, while those lawyers operating from Vizards' London base will join Weightmans' existing London base.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

March 07, 2011 | International Edition

Herbert Smith has bulked up its London tax practice with the hire of McGrigors tax disputes partner Rupert Shiers. Shiers is set to join Herbert Smith on 2 May 2011, when he will take the London tax disputes team to two partners. His hire takes the firm's overall City tax practice to 17 partners.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read