Suzi Ring

January 26, 2011 | International Edition

Barlow Lyde & Gilbert commercial risk and reinsurance partner Jason Bright is set to leave the firm to join Reynolds Porter Chamberlain (RPC). Bright resigned from Barlows in December 2010 but his departure date has yet to be confirmed. He will join RPC as a partner in its insurance practice.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

January 26, 2011 | International Edition

Clyde & Co saw the average number of members in its limited liability partnership (LLP) increase from 112 to 126 during the last financial year, with the highest-paid member taking home £885,250. Clydes' LLP accounts for 2009-10 show the top earner received nearly 5% more than the firm's highest earner the previous year, who took home £845,467.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

January 25, 2011 | International Edition

"I think it's fair to say that 2010 has been a prolongation of the post-financial crisis market that we got used to in 2009," says Magisters local managing partner Andrew Mac. In contrast to its Russian peer, the Ukrainian market did not pick up last year and there was a lack of notable deals in the market. Cuts in both fee earners and rates have remained as firms struggle to cope in the depressed market.

By Suzi Ring

4 minute read

January 25, 2011 | International Edition

International firms are showing renewed interest in Russia with the proposed sell-off of state assets, the World Cup and the 2012 Winter Olympics generating a slew of mandates. Suzanna Ring reports on what's to come for the region's legal market Russia is never far off the business agenda, but after a torrid couple of years it is fair to say that many Anglo Saxon firms had scaled back their efforts in the region - albeit a temporary pause rather than a ceasefire.

By Suzi Ring

7 minute read

January 25, 2011 | International Edition

From aspiring banker to heading the world's largest law firm - Stuart Popham has travelled a long distance in his career. Suzanna Ring finds CC's outgoing senior partner lives up to his rep as the best-connected lawyer in the City...

By Suzi Ring

9 minute read

January 25, 2011 | International Edition

Watson Farley & Williams has bulked up its Milan office with the hire of Hogan Lovells Italian banking head Francesco Curreli. Curreli has joined Watson Farley as a partner in its international project & structured finance group from the Milan arm of Hogan Lovells.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

January 25, 2011 | International Edition

Norton Rose's global Islamic finance chief Neil Miller is set to leave the firm to take a new role as head of KPMG's global Islamic financial advisory business. Miller will leave the firm as of 2 April to join KPMG in Dubai, with his role as Islamic finance head at Norton Rose subsequently split between three partners. Bahrain partner Mohammed Paracha will head up the practice for the Middle East and Africa, while Farmida Bi will be responsible for the group in London and Europe and Davide Barzilai will look after the practice for the Asia-Pacific region.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

January 24, 2011 | International Edition

Withers is set to launch an office in Zurich in response to increasing client demand in the region. The Zurich office - which will be the firm's ninth base around the world - will launch in April this year, with Geneva tax partner Judith Ingham relocating to the city to head up the new operation. Ingham will be joined by Geneva US tax and trust partner Jay Rubinstein, with City corporate partner Olga Boltenko also set to join the outfit in the summer.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

January 24, 2011 | International Edition

Clifford Chance (CC) is to launch an office in Qatar as the firm ramps up its presence in the Middle East to take advantage of the region's growth potential. The magic circle firm is set to open for business in the Qatar Financial Centre in Doha - subject to the approval of its licence - in the coming months. The office will be headed by Dubai projects partner Richard Parris, who is relocating to the region to lead the new venture.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

January 21, 2011 | International Edition

Clifford Chance (CC) has ended its 'best friends' relationship with Indian outfit AZB & Partners as hopes fade of the Indian legal market opening up to foreign law firms any time soon. The two firms decided to downgrade their 'best friends' relationship to 'good friends' at a meeting earlier this month. The decision was made because the long-awaited liberalisation of the Indian legal market looks increasingly unlikely to happen in the near future.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read