Suzi Ring

December 21, 2010 | International Edition

Debevoise & Plimpton's London and Moscow offices have picked up a lead advisory mandate on the merger of Russian potash companies Uralkali and Silvinit, in a deal that will create a combined business worth $23.9bn (£15.4bn). Debevoise has advised Uralkali on the merger, which will see Uralkali acquire 20% of Silvinit for $1.4bn (£903,300m) and complete the tie-up through a share swap.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

December 17, 2010 | International Edition

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has recruited Allen & Overy (A&O) partner Pervez Akhtar as the firm's new corporate head for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Akhtar will be based in Freshfields' Dubai office and take over from current MENA head Bertrand Pellet, who will continue as a partner in the practice.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

December 17, 2010 | International Edition

NCTM founding partner Gianfranco Negri-Clementi is leaving the firm to set up his own boutique, Negri-Clementi Studio Legale Associato. Negri-Clementi will leave the Italian firm in February next year, along with one other partner and two associates. He currently holds an of counsel position at NCTM after stepping down from the partnership in 2006.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

December 17, 2010 | International Edition

Norton Rose has bulked up its Singapore arm with the hire of Ashurst energy partner Ashley Wright to lead the firm's Asia-Pacific oil and gas team. Wright is set to join Norton Rose in the New Year from the Singapore office of Ashurst, which he joined as a partner in 2007 from Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy. He specialises in energy and project finance deals advising sponsors, lenders, projects companies and contractors in the oil, gas, liquefied natural gas, power and petrochemicals sectors.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

December 15, 2010 | International Edition

Bonelli Erede Pappalardo founding partner Sergio Erede has been handed an 18-month suspended sentence for negligence in relation to the collapse of Italian dairy company Parmalat. Erede is a former board member of the Italian food company that collapsed in 2003, marking Europe's biggest-ever bankruptcy at the time. Last week's judgment also saw Parmalat's founder and former chief executive Calisto Tanzi convicted of criminal association and fraudulent bankruptcy and sentenced to 18 years in jail.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

December 15, 2010 | International Edition

CMS DeBacker, the Belgian arm of the CMS network, has entered into an alliance with Luxembourg outfit Leclere & Walry in a move to grow its Benelux presence. The tie-up will see the firm operate under the name CMS DeBacker Leclere Walry in Luxembourg from 1 January 2011.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

December 15, 2010 | International Edition

Clifford Chance (CC) has announced 2010 bonus levels for the firm's US associates, with the top payout coming in at $35,000 (£22,300). The news, announced in an internal memo sent out yesterday (14 December), lists the bonus levels for associates of the 2003-09 class years, which range from $7,500 (£4,800) to $35,000 (£22,300) based on post-qualification experience (PQE).

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

December 15, 2010 | International Edition

McDermott Will & Emery has announced the details of its annual partner promotions round, with five lawyers made up across Europe including two in London. Sharon Tan and James Ross are set to join the US firm's City partnership in the employment and tax practices respectively. The London promotions are the firm's first in the UK for three years. News of the promotions comes as the firm gears up to move its City office in February 2011 to Heron Tower on Bishopsgate, which will be London's tallest building when it opens next year.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

December 15, 2010 | International Edition

Norton Rose has grown its Paris arm with the hire of a DLA Piper partner for its intellectual property and technology (IPT) practice. Marc d'Haultfoeuille is set to join the firm tomorrow (16 December) as a partner in the corporate finance team and will head up the growth of the IPT practice in Paris.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

December 10, 2010 | International Edition

Eversheds is set to see a team of lawyers led by local co-head Sam Jalaei leave the firm's Copenhagen office. Jalaei will join Danish firm Lett in January 2011 as a partner in its corporate and commercial team, bringing with him two trainees and one support staff member.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read