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International Edition

Wragges opens up first Middle East base in Abu Dhabi

Wragge & Co has launched its first office in the Middle East, with the national firm opening a new base in Abu Dhabi. The firm is making its entrance in the region via a joint venture with local lawyer Mohamed Al Mehairi and the relocation of City projects partner Jane Pittaway. The office opened yesterday (1 December) under the name Wragge & Co Legal Consultants. Al Mehairi has taken the role of chairman and senior partner in the new outfit, while Pittaway has been appointed as managing partner.
2 minute read

International Edition

Deneys Reitz set to overhaul pay scheme ahead of merger

Leading South African firm Deneys Reitz is set to overhaul its partner pay structure as it prepares for next year's tie-up with Norton Rose. The firm sent a note to its shareholders last week with suggestions for changing its remuneration structure from a points-based system that broadly operates as a pure lockstep, to a merit-driven tiered system with greater flexibility to move people up or down. The move is part of a bid to better align partners' remuneration with Norton Rose, which already operates a heavily modified lockstep. The proposals need to be approved by the firm's partners but, if successful, will come into effect from 1 April - the start of the South African firm's financial year.
2 minute read

International Edition

Africa

Caroline Hill looks at how Africa's lawyers are cashing in as international firms move to boost their presence in the country, while Norton Rose sizes up the considerable challenges of plugging in Africa...
1 minute read

International Edition

Africa rising

As international law firms look for ways to boost their revenues in the current global markets, Africa's star continues to rise. The continent presents a wealth of new opportunities, welcoming a multitude of investors drawn by its rapidly-growing oil, gas, mining and telecoms industries, as well as major infrastructure developments. In a year when billion-dollar transactions were still few and far between, deals such as Bharti Airtel's $10.7bn (£6.6bn) purchase of Zain Africa and the $2.7bn (£1.7bn) acquisition by China Petroleum & Chemical of a 55% stake in Sonangol Sinopec International were a cause for celebration for the Africa practices of Allen & Overy (A&O) and Herbert Smith. On both deals, the firms advised the bidder. Linklaters meanwhile, adviser to the seller of Zain Africa, Mobile Telecommunications Company, notably dominates mergermarket's league tables by not only value but volume.
12 minute read

International Edition

Ashurst wins key Mid East mandate with Kuwaiti public railway PPP role

Ashurst has picked up a key mandate to advise on the creation of Kuwait's first-ever public railway system. The top 10 City firm is advising new government body, the Partnership Technical Bureau (PTB), as it manages the tender process for the new Kuwait Metropolitan Transportation System, which is expected to cost at least $6bn (£3.8bn).
2 minute read

International Edition

Eversheds' South African office loses sole tax partner to DLA Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr

DLA Piper's South African arm has hired Eversheds' sole local tax partner Alastair Morphet. Morphet is set to join DLA Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr in January 2011, taking the number of tax partners at the firm to six. He has been at Eversheds for two years, joining as a partner in 2008 from South African firm Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs, where he was also a partner.
2 minute read

International Edition

Norton Rose seals merger deals to launch in Canada and South Africa

Norton Rose is to launch in Canada and South Africa through mergers with Canadian law firm Ogilvy Renault and leading South African firm Deneys Reitz. Both firms will join the Norton Rose Group on 1 June 2011, taking headcount at the combined firm to more than 2,500 fee earners across 38 offices around the world. News of the South African merger was first reported by RollonFriday earlier this morning, with Norton Rose then confirming both merger deals.
4 minute read

International Edition

Jones Day chooses Washington chief for new role as Europe and Middle East head

Jones Day has overhauled its European management with Mary Ellen Powers named partner-in-charge of Europe and the Middle East among four new leadership appointments. Trial practice partner Powers, currently partner-in-charge of the US firm's Washington office, will take up the newly-created role in January 2011, with Gregory Shumaker replacing her as Washington head.
2 minute read

International Edition

King & Spalding makes up eight new partners alongside Norton Rose hire

US firm King & Spalding has announced its global partner promotions round with the firm's London's office gaining one new partner out of a firmwide tally of eight. US-qualified John Taylor has been promoted from counsel to partner in London. He focuses on US and international taxation, the taxation of financial products, funds, partnerships and M&A.
2 minute read

International Edition

Gide to shut five offices in CEE and Middle East after global review

France's Gide Loyrette Nouel is to close five of its international offices following a review of its global operations. The firm has decided to close its Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh offices with immediate effect, while its Prague arm will be shut down by the end of the year. Gide's Belgrade office will gradually be restructured over the next 12 months and it is understood that it will eventually be merged with the firm's operations in Budapest.
2 minute read

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