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International Edition

Lands of opportunity – charting the rise of Africa as an attractive destination for deal lawyers

With much of the world economy in the doldrums, Africa is an increasingly attractive prospect for investment. And while it's risky to generalise about 54 countries, there is a theme of increased sophistication when it comes to the deployment of legal services across the continent. Nuno Antunes, director at Miranda, a practice that has a long-standing alliance in Africa, describes the situation as something of an 'economic conundrum', given the rate at which Africa is growing compared to the rest of the world. He also notes an increasingly long-term approach to investment in the continent. "Short-term gains are not easy, if they ever were, in the current volatile economy," he says.
12 minute read

International Edition

HSF names new China managing partner as Tortoishell steps down

Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) has appointed Hong Kong arbitration partner Justin D'Agostino as its new Greater China managing partner. D'Agostino will replace Andrew Tortoishell in the role from 1 May, ahead of Tortoishell's retirement from the HSF partnership on 30 June 2013. D'Agostino has acted as counsel and advocate before tribunals in Hong Kong, London, Singapore, Beijing, Bangkok, Zurich, and The Hague, including a role for Grand Pacific Holdings Limited in its high-profile and successful appeal against a decision by the Hong Kong Court of First Instance.
2 minute read

International Edition

Betting on in-house – can corporate moves into legal services win credibility?

"At a time when in-house advisers are under growing pressure to demonstrate their worth to the wider business, why not try to leverage skills already housed within the department to make a profit from external clients or make new inroads where they know they have a ready made client base to serve?"
3 minute read

Legal Week

Betting on in-house – can corporate moves into legal services win credibility?

"At a time when in-house advisers are under growing pressure to demonstrate their worth to the wider business, why not try to leverage skills already housed within the department to make a profit from external clients or make new inroads where they know they have a ready made client base to serve?"
6 minute read

International Edition

Eversheds and Squire Sanders take lion's share as GLA legal spend surges

The Greater London Authority's (GLA) legal spend has increased more than 60-fold during the current financial year, following the transfer of responsibility for housing and regeneration work from the Homes and Community Agency (HCA). A freedom of information request submitted by Legal Week has revealed the administrative body headed by Mayor of London Boris Johnson spent £490,785 on legal services during the nine-month period from 1 April to 31 December 2012 – up on just £7,805 for the full 12 months of 2011-12.
2 minute read

International Edition

Bakers holds talks over tie-up with top UAE firm Habib Al Mulla

Baker & McKenzie has held talks with respected United Arab Emirates firm Habib Al Mulla & Company over a possible combination. The law firm, which has offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, was founded in 1984 by executive chairman Habib Al Mulla.
2 minute read

International Edition

Addleshaws and Nabarro call off talks over near-£300m merger deal

Addleshaw Goddard and Nabarro have confirmed that the two firms held merger talks, with preliminary discussions ending at the start of February. The failed talks, which were first reported by Legal Business earlier today (6 March), could have created a combined firm with revenues of more than £280m, putting it just outside the top 10 UK firms by revenue.
3 minute read

International Edition

Hogan Lovells names new London head in top-level management revamp

Hogan Lovells has overhauled its international management committee, with a number of high-profile changes set to take effect this year, including the appointment of antitrust partner Susan Bright as London managing partner. The committee, which is responsible for the strategic direction and business operations of the firm, comprises the heads of Hogan Lovells' five practice groups and five administrative regions.
3 minute read

International Edition

Simmons gears up for Singapore launch with Norton Rose hire

Simmons & Simmons has hired a banking and finance partner from Norton Rose in Sydney as it gears up to launch in Singapore. Dan Marjanovic will initially be based in Simmons' Hong Kong office but will move over to Singapore to help launch the firm's office there once it receives regulatory approval, which is expected to come through later this spring.
2 minute read

International Edition

DWF's Leaitherland: Cobbetts equity partners ring-fenced as firm beds in £200m merger

None of the Cobbetts' partners joining DWF as part of last month's pre-pack deal will hold equity in DWF for at least 12 months, Legal Week can reveal. Around 70 partners, including managing partner Nick Carr and senior partner Stephen Benson have made the move to DWF after the firm agreed to purchase Cobbetts' debts and work in progress (WIP) for a guaranteed £3.8m
4 minute read

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