JD Journal » Hammonds

Squire Sanders Adds Pair of Attorneys to Frankfurt Office

rebneely — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 19:23:34 +0000

Law firm Squire, Sanders & Dempsey recently announced its expansion of its Frankfurt office with the appointment of intellectual property, commercial and regulatory lawyers Iliana and Philip Haleen as partner and of counsel, respectively. Both Iliana and Philip will join the global legal practice in January 2012.

Iliana Haleen, who currently heads the intellectual property practice at Bryan Cave in Hamburg, possesses over two decades of experience in international intellectual property protection. She manages the international portfolio of 1,500 trademarks registered in over 170 countries for a US-based consumer goods company, with an emphasis on multi-jurisdictional brand management. Iliana also has significant experience advising on all aspects of licensing, protection and the enforcement of intellectual property rights.

Philip Haleen is a US trained lawyer whose expertise includes antitrust and competition law, EU regulatory law, distribution law and international taxation, including transfer pricing and tax treaty work. He has practiced in Germany for nearly three decades. He both founded and managed the Frankfurt office of Faegre & Benson from 1991 until 2003.

In Frankfurt, Iliana and Philip will rejoin colleagues with whom they have previously worked; these include Horst Daniel, litigation partner and head of Faegre’s Frankfurt office from 2003 until 2009; Karl Walter, corporate partner; and Louis Wakatsuki, labor and employment counsel.

Established in 2006, Squire Sanders’ Frankfurt office has particular expertise in corporate, banking and financial services, arbitration, litigation, private equity, capital markets, labor law, and tax law. With the addition of the Haleens, that expertise will now include intellectual property law.

Thomas Busching, managing partner of the Frankfurt office, was quoted as saying in a press release at the firm’s website: “Iliana and Philip are widely respected lawyers and we see their appointments as key and a big step in developing and expanding our services in Frankfurt.”

Iliana and Philip will both join Squire Sanders’ Intellectual Property & Technology practice. In Europe, the team is made up of over twenty partners and fifty professionals focused on intellectual property law. These include trademark attorneys, as well as lawyers who specialize in all areas of IP law.

David Elkins, Intellectual Property & Technology Practice Group Leader was quoted as saying: “Iliana’s and Philip’s considerable experience and proven track record of servicing the needs of multinational clients will support the continued growth of our IP practice, both in Germany and on the global stage.”

Established in 1890, Squire, Sanders & Dempsey has lawyers in 36 offices and 17 countries around the world and now includes the nearly 500 lawyers from leading UK legal practice Hammonds. The firm also has strong working relationships with independent firms in Europe and the Middle East, as well as the Squire Sanders Legal Counsel Worldwide Network, which includes independent firms across Latin America. The firm advises a wide range of clients, from a diverse mix of clients, from Fortune 100 and FTSE 100 corporations to emerging companies and from individuals to local and national governments.

Squire Sanders Combines with Western Australia’s Oldest Law Firm, Minter Ellison

rebneely — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 13:08:05 +0000

The law firm of Squire, Sanders & Dempsey will combine with the one of Western Australia’s oldest and most progressive law firms, on October 1st, Minter Ellison.

This is the firm’s second major expansion this year, and the combination greatly increases Squire Sanders’ presence in the quickly growing Asia Pacific market.

With the combination of the firms, Squire Sanders will have over 1,300 lawyers in 36 offices and 17 countries. This includes the eighty plus attorneys from Minter Ellison, as well as the 500 plus attorneys in Europe who joined Squire Sanders via the January 2011 combination with former United Kingdom firm Hammonds.

As ranked by The American Lawyer’s Global 100, the combined global legal practice is among the top 20 by headcount, as well as one of the 15 largest US-based legal practices, per the National Law Journal’s NLJ 250, according to a press release at the firm’s website. And, with anticipated revenue of $725 million, the combined practice will be among the top firms ranked in Legal Business’ Global 100.

James J. Maiwurm, Squire Sanders chair and chief executive officer, was quoted as saying: “Our growth is guided by our clients’ evolving business needs. We gauge success by our clients’ enthusiasm and interest in legal services that provide more value on a global scale.”

Maiwurm explained that attorneys in Tokyo and Washington D.C. recently worked with Western Australian lawyers on a client’s energy project. As well, Western Australian lawyers collaborated with the London office to provide advice to a global company doing business in Australia.

Perth managing partner John Poulsen was quoted as saying: “Our clients very quickly sized up the benefits to be had by working with an established cost-effective Western Australia firm that now has global reach. I am very pleased by our clients’ overwhelmingly positive reaction.”

James Maiwurm has over three decades of experience as a business and transactional lawyer. He focuses his practice on the representation of a diverse range of businesses, from technology startups to Fortune 50 manufacturers, in private equity infusions, public offerings and sophisticated domestic and international acquisitions, dispositions, financings and joint ventures.

Maiwurm’s wealth of experience includes implementing turnaround initiatives, dealing with clients all over the world, negotiating and managing major asset dispositions, orchestrating debt restructurings, and building relationships with bondholders, stockholders, joint venture partners, employees and customers. As well as being active in a variety of community organizations, he has served on the boards of a variety of companies, and is listed in Who’s Who in America, as well as several other Who’s Who directories.

John Poulsen is the Managing Partner of Minter Ellison’s Perth office. He has played a significant role in improving the consistency and quality of service provided by the Perth team. Under his leadership, staff engagement has increased, and turnover has decreased. This has served to improve client relationships and quality of service, and contributed to the overall growth of the firm. John has been recognized as one of Western Australia’s leading finance lawyers and acted for leading financiers including the four major banks, Macquarie Bank, Babcock & Brown, St. George and Rabobank.

Founded in 1890 in Cleveland, Ohio, global law firm Squire, Sanders & Dempsey has 36 offices in 16 countries.

Minter Ellison has been ranked the largest Australian-based international law firm, with offices in 14 cities and five countries.

Squire, Sanders & Dempsey Expands Global Finance Capability in NY Office

rebneely — Tue, 03 May 2011 10:56:47 +0000

Marianne Rosenberg and Jill Davidson will join Squire, Sanders & Dempsey in the firm’s New York office.

Rosenberg joins as a partner, and Davidson as of counsel in the firm’s Financial Services Practice Group. Both join from Cozen O’Connor.

James J. Barresi, head of Squire Sanders’ Financial Services Practice Group was quoted as saying in a press release at the firm’s website: “Marianne is highly skilled in cross-border transactions, particularly in the transportation sector. Jill’s experience includes a range of cross-border financings and acquisitions. Their combined expertise gives Squire Sanders significantly increased ability to advise clients regarding complex multinational transactions.”

Rosenberg is a well-known and respected member of the global financial world. Her career has included leadership roles at White & Case LLP, where she was head of the Equipment and Facility Finance Group and Linklaters LLP, where she was the U.S. managing partner. And, she is one of only four lawyers worldwide to be named a “market shaper” by Airfinance Journal.

Rosenberg advises clients on cross-border financings and other transactions. She works with banks, railroads, hedge funds, private equity funds and energy companies operating throughout Europe and the United States. Her practice focuses on finance and acquisitions including asset and structured finance.

Rosenberg was quoted as saying: “As a result of its combination with UK-based Hammonds, Squire Sanders has the expansive global platform our clients rely on in order to do business. We look forward to helping the legal practice build its global finance practice.”

Founded in 1890, Squire, Sanders & Dempsey has lawyers in 36 offices and 16 countries around the world and includes the nearly 500 lawyers from leading UK legal practice Hammonds.

Morning Roundup

joshua — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 18:17:11 +0000

Good morning! Today is Wednesday, December 1, and here’s a quick look back at yesterday’s news.

Miller Thomson is reportedly in merger talks…

It was another rough year for Pennsylvania law firms…

Not everyone is happy with the Hammonds and Squire Dempsey merger…

and Jones Day is opening a new office in Boston…

Morning Roundup

joshua — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 23:16:26 +0000

Good morning everybody! Today is Tuesday, November 9th. Here’s a look back at yesterday’s stories.

Ballard Spahr will open its 13th office with the addition of a group of attorneys from the San Diego litigation boutique La Bella & McNamara LLP…

The partnerships at Squire Sanders & Dempsey and U.K-based Hammonds agreed to merge over the weekend…

Weitz & Luxenburg partner Robert J. Gordon was named the 2011 Mass Tort Litigator of the Year by legal publication Best Lawyers…

The partnership of Clifford Chance elected Malcolm Sweeting as the firm’s next senior partner…

The National Law Journal reported overall headcount at the nation’s 250 largest law firms fell for a second straight year…

Greenberg Traurig added six attorneys to its Orange County office, in its Real Estate, Real Estate Funds and REIT practices…

Squire Sanders, Hammonds Agree to Latest Transatlantic Merger

joshua — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 20:27:03 +0000

Reports from both sides of the Atlantic Monday confirmed that the partnerships at Squire Sanders & Dempsey and U.K-based Hammonds agreed to merge over the weekend. The joint effort is set to begin Jan. 1.

The firm will have approximately 1,275 lawyers in 37 offices and 17 countries, which would place it among the top 25 legal practices in the world based on number of lawyers. Squire Sanders Chairman James J. Maiwurm will be global chief executive officer and chair. Hammonds Managing Partner Peter Crossley will be managing partner for Europe. The combined firm will be structured as a Swiss Verein and governed by a 13-person global board elected by the partners.

In explaining the merger, Maiwurm noted “an accelerating business climate” and said its clients “consider cost-effective global counsel the norm, not the exception. The combination of our firms is designed for the times and positioned for the future.”

A report by AM Law Daily said the merged firm will keep the Squire, Sanders & Dempsey name, but will be known as Squire Sanders Hammonds in the parts of the world where Hammonds has a presence.

Morning Roundup

joshua — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 12:47:26 +0000

Good morning everyone! Today is Tuesday, September 7th. Here’s a quick recap of Friday’s stories.

More details emerged in proposed Squire Sanders, Hammonds Merger…

Nixon Peabody elected four new members to its partnership…

Lathrop & Gage merged with Denver Based Kamlet Reichert…

Proposed Squire Sanders, Hammonds Merger Inching Forward

joshua — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 19:55:38 +0000

More details are emerging in the proposed transatlantic merger of Squire Sanders & Dempsey and U.K.-based Hammonds.

According to a report in Legal Week, Squire Sanders Chairman Jim Maiwurm would become the new firm’s global chairman, while Hammonds Managing Partner Peter Crossley would likely take the role of European chair.

The firms would also “retain separate profit pools,” according to the report, which is similar to the business model adopted when Lovells merged with Hogan & Hartson and Denton Wilde Sapte combined with Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal earlier this year.

Additionally, Squire Sanders London office would be relocated to the Hammonds facility.

The merger could go live as soon as Jan. 1, as the firms partners are expected to vote in the coming months. Hammonds would need 75 percent approval from its partners while Squire Sanders would require a two-thirds majority, Legal Week reports.

Morning Roundup

joshua — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 12:53:41 +0000

Good morning everyone! Today is Thursday, August 26th. Here’s a quick recap of yesterday’s stories.

A one-day Managing Partner Forum will be held at the Harvard Club of Boston on November 4th…

Squire Sanders and Hammonds are involved in merger talks…

Chadbourne & Parke added a veteran capital markets attorney to its Moscow office…

Well-known sports and entertainment agent Gregg Clifton returned to Jackson Lewis after more than 25 years…

Squire Sanders, Hammonds in Merger Talks

joshua — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 21:17:28 +0000

Another transatlantic merger could be in the offing, according to multiple reports. The latest would involve U.S.-based Squire Sanders & Dempsey and U.K-based Hammonds.

According to a report from AM Law Daily, which broke the news, partners at both firms were briefed on the merger talks Tuesday. Squire Sander Chair James J. Maiwurn and Hammonds Managing Partner Peter Crossley confirmed that merger talks have been ongoing in a written statement.

“While we are still at an early stage, our discussions to date indicate that such a merger would appeal strongly to clients that want high-quality legal services from lawyers who have global experience and who understand and respect client demand for value,” Maiwurm said in the statement.

A merger would create a combined firm with 1,300 lawyers in 17 countries. It would be one of the top 50 firms in the world with revenues topping $625 million.

A vote of the firm’s partners could come by the end of the year.

Hammonds Reports PPP Down

Erik Even — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 21:43:33 +0000

London’s Hammonds LLP saw profits per equity partner fall to £276,000 ($446,000) for the recently ended fiscal year.

The firm laid off 77 staffers and cut 20 partners in February.

Hammonds LLP is an international law firm with UK offices in London, Birmingham, Manchester, and Leeds. Overseas offices are situated in Brussels, Paris, Berlin, Munich, Madrid, Hong Kong and Beijing.

Hammonds to Cut 20 Partners

Erik Even — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 16:52:37 +0000

London’s Hammonds LLP is set to cut about 10% of its partnership.

The top 50 UK law firm is cutting up to 20 partners from its fixed share and equity ranks.

Some partners will also be affected by a de-equitization program in an attempt to deal with underperformance, especially at the top of the partnership.

The cuts, affecting the firm’s offices in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds, will see corporate and real estate under the most scrutiny, with a number of partners having already left the firm. The rest of those affected are expected to leave before the end of the financial year.

In January, the firm had 186 partners, including 74 in the equity.

The move comes after the firm laid off 53 support staff and 24 fee earners as a result of a redundancy consultation launched in November.

Hammonds posted a drop in profits per equity partner of more than 9% for 2007-08, to £367,000 ($525,000). Revenue at the firm edged up 3.4% to £132 million ($188.9 million).

Hammonds’ overseas offices are located in Aosta, Milan, Rome, Turin, Brussels, Paris, Berlin, Munich, Madrid, Hong Kong and Beijing.

Hammonds Lays Off 77 in the UK

todd — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 19:53:53 +0000

International law firm Hammonds has finished a redundancy consultation in which 77 members of the Hammonds staff have lost their job.

Hammonds has offices spread throughout the UK in London, Birmingham, Manchester, and Leeds.

A spokesperson for the firm said, “We can confirm that we have made 77 redundancies across our offices in the UK. It is a matter of great regret that we have had to make redundancies, but we have taken steps to retrain and redeploy a number of people which has kept the total number of departures to an absolute minimum.”Hammonds’ redundancies make the total of number of jobs in jeopardy in the UK 2,747.
In 2006, Hammonds was ranked 20^th in the UK, with a turnover of £132 million. The company employs over 1300 people.