Month: March 2014

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Comment: Ambition and culture – the key tests CC’s deal team must pass

First, the case for the defence. Given that private equity partners gossip like fishwives, you can be somewhat sceptical over the received wisdom that the latest in a line of significant departures from Clifford Chance (CC)’s buyout team represents a terminal decline.

The firm retains a sizeable roster of partners, with 11 covering private equity in the City, including seasoned players such as David Pearson and Jonny Myers, not to mention practice head Oliver Felsenstein, one of Germany’s most respected PE men (CC should, however, avoid mentioning Matthew Layton in this camp – good as he is, it’s embarrassing to invoke your new chief executive as a deal runner). Continue reading “Comment: Ambition and culture – the key tests CC’s deal team must pass”

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Freshfields lifer Julian Long takes over from Rawlinson as London managing partner

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has named current London corporate head and Freshfields lifer Julian Long as its new London managing partner, taking over from incumbent Mark Rawlinson, who is returning to client work.

Long, an M&A partner, has earned his stripes having been at Freshfields for his entire career, making partner in 1995 and being promoted to head of London corporate in June 2011. His former roles include sector group leader for the consumer, health and retail group. Continue reading “Freshfields lifer Julian Long takes over from Rawlinson as London managing partner”

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Former Dewey & LeBoeuf partner secures summary dismissal against Barclays in battle over capital loan

As the fallout from the demise of Dewey & LeBoeuf continues, the High Court has just dismissed an application made by Barclays for a summary judgment over liability for a capital loan made against a former partner of the now-defunct US firm.

The ruling, published on 28 February, dealt with Barclays contention that former Dewey partner Charles Landgraf was liable for the repayment of a loan totalling $486,000 paid into the firm’s account to cover his capital contribution, plus interest. Continue reading “Former Dewey & LeBoeuf partner secures summary dismissal against Barclays in battle over capital loan”

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Bar news: Blackstone bolsters commercial litigation capability with hire of Brick Court’s Alan Maclean QC

Leading set Blackstone Chambers has taken further steps to bolster its commercial litigation and arbitration capability with the hire of heavyweight Brick Court Chambers commercial litigator Alan Maclean QC.

Having officially started yesterday (4 February), Maclean (pictured) is acknowledged by the Legal 500 as ‘a force to be reckoned with in the courtroom’ and a ‘streetwise trial advocate.’

Continue reading “Bar news: Blackstone bolsters commercial litigation capability with hire of Brick Court’s Alan Maclean QC”

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Sole adviser: Eversheds wins Tyco-style primary legal services contract with IATA across 158 countries

Building on the success of its game changing multi-million pound annual retainer with Tyco International, Eversheds has won its largest-ever primary legal services provider contract with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) across 158 countries.

Following a competitive pitch, the UK top 10 firm has secured a contract to service all the legal needs of IATA, the trade association for the world’s airlines, in 93 countries across Europe, North Asia and Asia Pacific, in addition to the existing fixed-fee contract it won last April to deliver legal services in 65 countries across Africa and the Middle East. Continue reading “Sole adviser: Eversheds wins Tyco-style primary legal services contract with IATA across 158 countries”

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And so the tally rises, Jones Day hires fourth BLP partner since August

Fresh from the news on Friday (28 February) that DLA Piper has hired three Berwin Leighton Paisner partners, Jones Day has added to its own tally of laterals from the firm by recruiting banking and capital markets partner Paul Simcock.

Simcock specialises in leveraged finance and has acted for private equity sponsors, senior and junior lenders, strategic investors and corporate borrowers on leveraged acquisitions. Continue reading “And so the tally rises, Jones Day hires fourth BLP partner since August”

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PwC forms new law firm in Canada one month after obtaining ABS status

In the first major development since PricewaterhouseCoopers last month received authorisation from the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) to become an alternative business structure (ABS), the accounting giant announced on 1 March that it has formed a new law firm in Canada by tying up with Toronto immigration outfit Bomza Law Group.

The new firm will be called PricewaterhouseCoopers Immigration Law, and Christopher Kong, national managing partner of PwC Canada’s tax services said: ‘With a range of global employment opportunities and the related complexities to employees and employers, an immigration law firm affiliated with PwC provides an opportunity to help our clients with the mobility of their people.’ Continue reading “PwC forms new law firm in Canada one month after obtaining ABS status”

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After South Africa, Hogan Lovells launches nearshoring venture in Birmingham

Following Hogan Lovells announcement at the start of February that it is setting up a business process outsourcing centre in South Africa, the top 15 LB100 law firm has launched a new legal services centre in Birmingham to undertake low level legal work as a cost effective extension of its London office.

The nearshoring venture, called the Legal Service Centre, will be developed over time in response to client demand but it is expected to comprise up to 20 lawyers initially. London partner Alan Greenough will be moving to Birmingham to manage the office, which is expected to be established by autumn this year. Continue reading “After South Africa, Hogan Lovells launches nearshoring venture in Birmingham”