JD Journal » United Kingdom

ABA Panel Says No to an Outside Law Firm Ownership

chelsei — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 17:36:19 +0000

An American Bar Association commission is considering recommending that the nonlawyers be allowed to take an equity stake in law firms for which they work while urging that an existing ban be maintained on the kind of outside investment in US firms that is now possible in the United Kingdom and Australia.

If the panel’s recommendation moves forward, the move to let the nonlawyers own a piece of firms that employ them would not become an ABA model rule for more than a year, and would still need to be adopted by individual states. While all 50 states currently ban such nonlawyer ownership of the law firms, Washington D.C. has allowed it for more than two decades.

At the same time, the ABA’s Commission on Ethics 20/20 came out firmly against any move that would open the door to law firms becoming either publicly traded entities or multidisciplinary practices designed, for an example, to serve as one-stop shops accounting and legal needs.

Formed in 2009 to address how technological advances and globalization are affecting the regulation of law firms and lawyers, the commission released a new draft paper (PDF) Friday that lays out the panel’s views and seeks input from members of the legal community. Any formal proposals that are adopted, after the comment period, will not go to the ABA’s decision-making body until February of 2013.

The commission’s recommendations aren’t going far enough for Thomas Gordon, legal and policy director for Responsive Law, which is a year-and-a-half-old nonprofit in Washington, D.C., that advocates on behalf of what the group cities as the 80 percent to legal representation.

”There needs to be much more openness to outside involvement in the legal professional for consumers to benefit,” says Gordon, who submitted comments to and testified before the commission earlier this year. ”In any service industry, consumers will benefit where there’s innovation.”

Paul Paton, who is a profession at Pacific McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento, who also serves as reporter to the 20/20 commission, says that the panel considered the entire spectrum of alternative business structures found elsewhere in the world, discussed at length in an issues paper (PDF) in the month of April, but ”decided there were certain practices mapped out…that weren’t appropriate for adoption in the US at this time.”

The ownership model suggested in the draft report would allow firms to give the nonlawyers they employ a financial interest in the firm and a share in its profits. Among all the professionals cited as potentially qualifying to take such a stake: architects, social workers, engineers or investigators who assist in such practice areas as, respectively, land use, intellectual property, family law, or personal injury.

The commission does suggest placing some conditions on opening law firm ownership to nonlawyers, including: requiring lawyers to investigate the professional reputation of anyone considered for an equity stake; ensuring that a firm’s lawyers maintain a controlling financial interest and voting rights in the enterprise; and prohibiting nonlawyer owners from having their own clients or offering any services to firm clients outside of legal needs.

Linklaters LLP to Issue Staff Restructure Plan

jim — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 23:51:36 +0000

Linklaters LLP, based in the United Kingdom, has announced that it is making preparations to drastically restructure its partnership. This includes its partnership with close to 35 partners, which comes out to 8 percent of the law firm’s total equity partners. These 35 partners could wind up leaving the firm according to reports on Law360 Thursday.

The firm has not released any details regarding how many lawyers will actually leave the firm according to Legal Week. The firm did say that those partners who do leave will be a mix between exits and de-equisitsations. A partner from the firm, speaking anonymously, said that close to 20 partners could be leaving the firm, which is based out of London. The unnamed partner also said that the transactional practice of the firm could be one of the hardest hit within the firm when the restructuring begins.

This would be the second restructuring in three years for the firm. The New World program for Linklaters forced close to 35 partners to leave the firm back in 2009. That restructuring also included major staff reductions according to Legal Week.

The report also said that lawyers working in the transactional practices of the firm could be moved to other, busier practices in the firm in an effort to avoid layoffs involving associates. The transactional practice of the firm was affected by the European economic downturn. Some of the junior lawyers working in the firm could be moved to Linklaters’ restructuring and insolvency, litigation and regulatory practices. All of these practices within the firm have much higher amounts of activity.

Sam Davies, the managing partner for the firm, said that the partner restructuring is based on individuals and trying to estimate the exact number would not be an appropriate thing to do. Davies did go on to say that, “We continually look at our business and partner base in the context of the markets and our clients’ needs. A natural part of this process includes some partners moving on.”

An unnamed partner in the firm did say that the partner restructuring does not come from where the firm’s revenues are coming from at the time. The former head of the firm, Tony Angel, left the firm to become the co-global chairman of DLA Piper.

A new office was opened by Linklaters in Abu Dhabi back in July, which is the second office for the firm in the United Arab Emirates, and its 27^th office overall. The firm’s office in Abu Dhabi was launched practicing specializations in mergers and acquisitions, securities, and other financial issues. The firm also plans to freeze the pay of its associates in the United Kingdom, keeping the pay level the same that it was at in 2009.

Even though the firm is freezing the pay levels, it is still expected to issue performance bonuses for its associates. Linklaters worked on 243 cases that totaled $194 billion in 2010.

Allen & Overy Expands Australian Practice

rebneely — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 14:21:52 +0000

Leading international law firm Allen & Overy has announced it has expanded its Australian practice; it will now offer litigation and regulatory investigations expertise. In coordination with this expansion, John Samaha, senior Australian litigation lawyer, has been appointed to the partnership.

Samaha’s appointment will enable Allen & Overy to offer integrated local and global litigation and regulatory support to its clients, as the firm has experienced continued success of its corporate and finance practices in Australia.

Samaha possesses significant experience in complex and strategically significant litigation and regulatory work. He has acted for leading corporations and financial institutions in Australia, including many sector leaders. He was previously a senior litigation partner at another leading Australian firm, where he worked for two decades.

The Legal 500 review of Australian dispute resolution lawyers just released reports that John is ‘a consummate professional, highly knowledgeable and commercially minded’.

Tim House, Global Head of Litigation at Allen & Overy, was quoted as saying in a press release at the firm’s website: “John’s arrival is a further boost to our litigation capability across the Asia Pacific region and fits hand-in-glove with our growth plans for Allen & Overy’s global litigation practice. It also represents a unique opportunity for leading Australian litigation solicitors who see the advantages of a career in our growing network.”

Grant Fuzi, Managing Partner of Allen & Overy in Australia, was quoted as saying: “John is a recognized leader in his field. Now that Allen & Overy is well established in Australia, we are pleased to offer our clients litigation and regulatory skills and expertise under John’s leadership. John’s appointment brings our Australian partner tally to 23, with the support of over 160 staff. This outstanding growth has been fuelled by positive client response to our focus on leveraging our global and domestic expertise.”

In the last twelve months, Allen & Overy has completed transactions with an approximate total value of over AUD40 billion. These include advising SABMiller on its proposed AUD12 billion takeover of Foster’s Group by scheme of arrangement, Fortescue Metals Group on a USD2.04 billion syndicated loan facility and a 144A unsecured bond offering and on a USD1.5 billion 144A unsecured bond offering (CFO Dealbook Corporate Bond Issue of the Year 2011), and Equinox on the AUD7.1 billion Barrick Gold offer.

Allen & Overy is headquartered in London. The firm is a member of the UK’s Magic Circle of leading law firms, and is widely considered to be one of the world’s elite law firms, advising national and multinational corporations, financial institutions, and governments. Founded in 1930, Allen & Overy has become one of the largest law firms in the world, both by number of lawyers and revenue. With approximately 5,000 staff and 38 offices worldwide, the firm provides legal advice in Europe, the Americas, Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.

“Legendary” White Collar Crime Attorney Joins WilmerHale’s London Office

rebneely — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 15:15:44 +0000

In recent days, global law firm WilmerHale announced that Stephen Pollard, a leading practitioner in the areas of white-collar crime and regulatory financial services, joined the London office.

Pollard will join as a partner in the Investigations and Criminal Litigation Practice. He joins from law firm Kingsley Napley LLP, also based in London.

Pollard is widely known as one of the leading lawyers in the United Kingdom for his work in cases regarding allegations of insider trading, market manipulation and market abuse. He has established an extensive practice during the last 22 years, especially in cases involving regulatory or criminal investigation by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) and the Serious Fraud Office (SFO).

Among other notable, high-level representations, Pollard represented former Barings trader Nick Leeson; a defendant in the FSA’s first criminal prosecution for market manipulation; and a partner of a leading hedge fund facing allegations of market abuse. He has specialized expertise in the defense of financial services fraud, internal investigations, multijurisdictional white-collar crime allegations, corruption allegations and competition/cartel allegations.

Pollard is one of only four Chambers UK “Star Individuals” for white-collar crime fraud work. Chambers UK has described him as “legendary” and also notes he “has the perfect combination of commercial litigation skills and a criminal law background, and always fights his clients’ corner well.” Chambers UK also lists him as a leading practitioner for financial services work and recommends his cartel defense practice. He is also listed as a leader in his field in the 2011 edition of the International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers.

WilmerHale Co-Managing Partner William J. Perlstein was quoted as saying in a press release at the firm’s website: “Mr. Pollard is an important strategic addition to our global white-collar criminal defense, investigations and securities practices. White-collar defense is a field that is becoming increasingly international, especially considering the proactive and aggressive approach of the FSA, and our group will benefit greatly from his UK expertise.”

White-collar defense, securities enforcement, financial institutions and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act expertise is a hallmark of WilmerHale in the United States and, ever more so in the UK and global markets. Pollard’s arrival will strengthen the firm’s growing representation of multinational companies, corporate executives and high-ranking public officials that retain the firm to counsel them in internal corporate investigations; government investigations; criminal litigation; and related civil and administrative proceedings. The firm defends clients internationally against allegations of insider trading; health care, securities, accounting and government contracts fraud; violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, Anti-kickback Statute and False Claims Act; criminal environmental violations; criminal antitrust violations; money laundering; and violations of other statutes.

Pollard was quoted as saying: “I am excited to join WilmerHale. The firm has an excellent reputation in the white-collar and financial services regulation space and provides a great platform for me to continue to grow my practice.”

Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP has twelve offices across the USA, Europe and Asia, and employs over 1,100 attorneys worldwide

DLA Piper Announces Launch of New International Securities Group, Along With New Partner

rebneely — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 13:39:42 +0000

Global law firm DLA Piper announced the launch of its newly created International Securities Group in recent days. Along with that launch, George Barboutis will act as a London-based US securities partner within the group; he joined the firm on November 16^th.

The International Securities Group will bring together lawyers advising on equity and debt offerings in the UK and the EMEA region. With Barboutis’s appointment, DLA Piper moves to establish a London-based US capital markets team providing it with U.S. securities law capability to handle equity and debt offerings of issuers in the EMEA region targeted at US investors. As well, he will concentrate on strengthening the firm’s presence in international/cross-border capital markets transactions. At the same time, he will work to leverage the potential of the firm’s strong office network in EMEA and helping further its integration.

Barboutis specializes in U.S. securities. He is US-qualified (State of New York), as well as qualified as a solicitor in England & Wales. Before joining DLA Piper, Barboutis was a partner with Dewey & Leboeuf based in London. He was promoted to this position in 2007. H joined Dewey Ballantine in 2004 from Shearman & Sterling where he worked with its London US securities group.

Barboutis’s practice covers a wide range of equity, equity-linked and debt securities offerings, including Rule 144A/Regulation S and SEC-registered offerings, US and London listings, as well as M&A and structured finance transactions. On a regular basis, he advises on transactions in the CIS (with a focus on Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan), Poland, Greece, Turkey and the Middle East. George acts for issuers and underwriters with a focus on emerging markets and has worked with major investment banking clients.

Alex Tamlyn, Head of the International Securities Group was quoted as saying in a press release at the firm’s website: “The establishment of the International Securities Group brings together the firm’s expertise across the capital markets space into a single team. This aligns us consistently with the banks and other financial institutions which drive significant securities transactions globally. In an economic environment where access to capital is extremely challenging this allows us to deliver the best possible service to our clients to raise finance across geographies and industries.”

Charles Severs, DLA Piper’s UK Head of Corporate was quoted as saying: “I am delighted that George is joining us. The firm’s international platform and George’s emerging markets focus go hand in hand with one another to strengthen further our corporate offering to both issuers and underwriters globally. We expect to continue to strengthen our US securities capability in London.”

Chris Paci, chair of DLA Piper’s Capital Markets practice in the United States was quoted as saying: “George’s appointment, together with the launch of the International Securities Group, are key milestones in advancing our strategy for delivering global capital markets capability across the major financial centers in the United States, Europe and Asia.”

Global law firm DLA Piper has 76 offices in 30 countries and over 4,200 lawyers.

Bryan Cave Establishes Office in Frankfurt, Germany

rebneely — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 08:00:21 +0000

International law firm Bryan Cave LLP announced it has established an office in Frankfurt, Germany. Prominent attorneys Dr. Tobias Fenck and Dr. Veit Denzer will join the office as partners.

The expansion follows the firm’s successful launch of a Hamburg office in 2007, and is part of an overall strategic plan to grow the firm’s legal team in Germany over the next five years.

Denzer and Fenck focus on serving private equity clients, mezzanine funds and banks, and provide legal counsel mainly in the areas of corporate mergers and acquisitions, general corporate and finance. They will be fully integrated with the firm’s Hamburg office and will work closely with Bryan Cave lawyers all over the world. In this way, they can provide a wide range of legal counsel on matters including employment, general commercial, antitrust, litigation, technology and intellectual property.

Don G. Lents, chairman of Bryan Cave was quoted as saying in a press release at the firm’s website: “The importance of Germany to European corporate, finance and banking activity cannot be overstated and Frankfurt has long been a critical market for these practices. The addition of Tobias Fenck and Veit Denzer and the formal establishment of a Frankfurt office will offer our clients an integrated legal resource that is well positioned to capitalize on Germany’s substantial links to the finance and capital markets around the world.”

Dr. Denzer studied law and economics at the University of Bayreuth, University of Deusto in Bilbao, Spain and the Ludwig-Maximilian University of Munich. In 1999, he graduated from the University of Munich. He then earned his doctorate in law from Johannes-Gutenberg University, Mainz, in 2003. Dr. Denzer is fluent in Spanish and worked at a law firm in Santiago, Chile, before his clerkship.

Dr. Fenck studied law at the Universities of Trier, Muenster and Dresden, and received his law degree from the University of Muenster in 2000 and his doctorate from the University of Dresden in 2004.

Fred W. Bartelsmeyer, Bryan Cave’s European coordinator was quoted as saying: “The addition of this team in Germany is part of Bryan Cave’s continued strategy to grow our European presence. These two attorneys will play an important role in extending our existing financial markets practices in London and Paris.”

Michael Leue, managing partner of the firm’s Hamburg office was quoted as saying: “The overall strengthening of our German team will better enable Bryan Cave to serve clients of all sizes on both a regional and international level. Tobias and Veit’s experience working with private equity companies reinforces our existing capability and creates a strong foundation for future growth far beyond the financial sector.”

With over 1,000 lawyers and other professionals in 25 offices across the United States, the United Kingdom, Continental Europe and Asia, the firm of Bryan Cave LLP has a diversified international legal practice. It represents a broad range of business, financial, institutional and individual clients, including publicly held multinational corporations, large and mid-sized privately held companies, partnerships and emerging companies. The firm’s subsidiary, Bryan Cave International Consulting, provides trade and customs consultancy.

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati Announces Plans to Open Office in Brussels

rebneely — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 08:00:55 +0000

The law firm of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati announced in recent days that it will open an office in Brussels, Belgium.

Michael Rosenthal, who was formerly the managing partner of Hunton & Williams’ Brussels office, will lead the office. He will be joined by Gotz Drauz, the former Deputy Director-General for Competition at the European Commission, and former Hunton & Williams partner Paul McGeown, along with a counsel and three associates.

The team of attorneys combines private practice, industry, and high-level government experience. As well, it offers a broad spectrum of antitrust and competition services at the European Union and national levels in France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

Chairman Larry Sonsini was quoted as saying in a press release at the firm’s website: “In recent years, the European Commission has become an increasingly important forum for our clients when it comes to antitrust review, particularly concerning mergers and acquisitions and global cartel investigations. Opening an office in Brussels, the seat of the European Commission, is a natural evolution of our mission to serve our clients as they seek to grow and compete on a global basis, and we are excited by the opportunities that it represents.”

CEO Steve Bochner was quoted as saying: “We couldn’t have asked for a finer team to lead our efforts in the European Union than Michael, Götz, and Paul. They are all highly accomplished attorneys whose talents and experience mesh extraordinarily well with the firm’s thriving M&A and antitrust practices. It is with great pride that we welcome them to the firm.”

Dr. Michael Rosenthal joins the firm from Hunton & Williams, where he successfully built that firm’s Brussels office and chaired the European arm of its competition practice. He advises clients on all aspects of EU and German competition law. He is also listed as a leading competition lawyer in the major legal directories, including Who’s Who of Competition Lawyers.

Named as an “elite” practitioner by Global Competition Review, Götz Drauz joins the firm from Shearman & Sterling. There, he practiced antitrust and competition law. Before that, he was a partner in Howrey’s Brussels office. Over the course of his career, he has represented companies in some of the biggest merger, conduct, and cartel investigations in Europe. Before entering private practice, Drauz served for 25 years at the European Commission.

Paul McGeown also joins from Hunton & Williams. He advises clients in a broad range of industries on all aspects of European competition law; he has particular expertise in complex merger cases, industrial partnerships, and State aid matters. He has significant experience representing clients before the EC and United Kingdom competition authorities. McGeown was formerly a partner at Linklaters and, earlier, an associate at Salans in Paris and Slaughter & May in Brussels and London. In addition, he served as in-house competition counsel at a major global engineering corporation.

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati’s antitrust team is uniquely positioned to assist clients on the most important bet-the-company matters as well as with regular counseling and compliance matters. With over 525 attorneys, the firm is recognized as the premier provider of legal services to technology, life sciences, and other growth enterprises worldwide.

White & Case Marks 40th Year Anniversary of London Office

rebneely — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 08:10:14 +0000

Global law firm White & Case LLP marked its 40^th year anniversary in London on October 1^st.

Since 1971, the Firm has been acting for clients in matters regarding banking and capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, corporate, dispute resolution and project finance.

White & Case Chairman Hugh Verrier was quoted as saying in a press release at the firm’s website: “We recognized early on that to be a truly global law firm, you must be strong in both London and New York. This continues to be a key element of our global strategy.”

In 1971, James Hurlock, who served as the Chairman of the Firm’s Management Committee for twenty plus years, from 1980 to 2000, opened the London office with only three people. Currently, nearly 70 partners and almost 300 lawyers are employed in the London office, serving clients not only in the United Kingdom, but throughout Europe and worldwide.

Oliver Brettle, executive partner of the London office was quoted as saying in the same press release: “White & Case was one of the first US-headquartered firms to establish an office in London. We were also the first US firm to have an English law lawyer in London. English law remains an integral and growing part of the Firm’s capabilities globally.”

Brettle focuses his practice on providing both contentious and non-contentious employment law advice on a broad range of matters, emphasizing employment issues for employers. He has represented various major employers in complex and large scale matters, including industrial disputes and employment-related litigation.

Regarding contentious matters, Brettle has advised on matters including sex discrimination claims, race discrimination claims and mass unfair dismissal claims, and numerous collective employment claims regarding business transfers and mass redundancies. He has acted on several of the UK’s leading cases in the areas of restrictive covenants, misuse of confidential information by employees, and enforcement of ‘garden leave’ clauses.

In non-contentious matters, Brettle has advised a variety of issues, including drafting executive service agreements at board level, the introduction of new terms and conditions of employment for large workforces, several large redundancy (RIF) programmes, and collective employment issues generally.

He has significant experience with employment issues arising in corporate transactions such as IPOs, management buyouts, share sales, business sales and outsourcing. He is also a regular contributor to leading employment law and human resource publications, and a frequent speaker at external and client employment seminars.

Founded in New York in 1901, White & Case LLP is a prominent global law firm with 38 offices in 26 countries. Among the Firm’s core values are its commitment to excellence, teamwork, innovation and diversity. The Firm’s clients include many of the world’s most respected and well-established companies, visionary start-ups, governmental organizations and state-owned entities. The Firm uses its global knowledge and resources to assure the highest level of service is provided to all clients.

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.

Morning Roundup

joshua — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 22:59:20 +0000

Good morning everybody! Today is Friday, October 22nd. Here’s a quick look back at yesterday’s stories.

UK-based Simmons & Simmons, which cut off merger talks with U.S.-based Mayer Brown this summer, is still considering entering the U.S. market through a merger with a U.S. firm…

The partnership of Jones Walker re-elected William H. Hines as managing partner of the firm…

Schiff Hardin added three attorneys to its environmental practice…

Tracy E. Miller, a prominent health care lawyer, joined Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP…

Greenberg Traurig Attorney Nelson Migdal will lead distressed hotel symposium…

Eversheds was named Europe’s ‘Most Innovative’ law firm…

Simmons & Simmons Keeping Eye on U.S. Market

joshua — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 22:04:22 +0000

U.K-based Simmons & Simmons, which cut off merger talks with U.S.-based Mayer Brown this summer, is still considering entering the U.S. market through a merger with a U.S. firm, LegalWeek is reporting.

Though emphasizing that such a merger is not a “key strategic target” of the firm, the story revealed Simmons & Simmons management informed its membership during a partners’ weekend earlier this month that such a merger remains a possibility.

“The basic message is that a US merger is not a driver of our strategy but that we remain open-minded about the option,” Managing Partner Mark Dawkins told LegalWeek.

Simmons & Simmons currently has a presence in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. It is rated a top-15 firm in the U.K, according to LegalWeek.

Morning Roundup

joshua — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 10:54:21 +0000

Good morning everyone! Today is Friday, September 24th. Here’s a quick look back at yesterday’s stories.

Reed Smith was brought on as U.S. corporate and securities counsel for China Sun Group High-Tech Co…

Quarterly revenue at Britain’s 100 biggest law firms increased by an average of 5 percent for the three-month period ending July 31…

Arnold & Porter acquired three attorneys from Sonnenschein…

Four Davis Polk partners were named ‘Top Lawyers’ in California…

Troutman Sanders appointed a new managing partner in its Washington, D.C office…

The Best Lawyers in America 2011® will feature 58 attorneys from Winstead PC…

British Firms See Uptick in Quarterly Revenue

joshua — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 16:50:47 +0000

Quarterly revenue at Britain’s 100 biggest law firms increased by an average of 5 percent for the three-month period that ended July 31.

A report by Bloomberg attributed the “modest” increase to higher rates and more billable hours last quarter. The figures were compiled by accounting firm Deloitte LLP.

Among the U.K’s 10 biggest firms, the average revenue increase was slightly lower at 3.7 percent.

The news is still encouraging, however, given London’s largest firms suffered revenue declines of as much as 11 percent during the last fiscal year.

Deloitte partner Jeremy Black reflected the cautious optimism when commenting on the numbers.

“The growth has surprised a few, as people tend to forget the hard times pretty quickly,” Black said. “However, there are still a lot of nerves out there. The recovery is difficult to predict.”

Morning Roundup

joshua — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 12:18:10 +0000

Good morning everyone! Today is Friday, July 9th. Here’s a quick look back at yesterday’s stories.

Clifford Chance was the highest grossing firm among UK firms…

Sonnenschein added a veteran Exxon Lawyer to its Energy Practice…

Ogletree opened a Portland office…

Gonzalez Saggio & Harlan added two partners to its IP team…

A survey of nearly 700 women law firm partners revealed an “intense dissatisfaction” with the compensation gap between men and women…

A former Texas representative joined Greenberg Traurig’s Austin office as an of counsel in the governmental affairs practice group…

A shareholder in Greenberg Traurig’s Tampa office, was appointed chairman of the Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education…

Morvillo Abramowitz was recognized by Chambers & Partners for the 7th consecutive year…

Clifford Chance Leads Rough Year for U.K. Firms

joshua — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 00:32:53 +0000

Revenue at the U.K.’s magic circle firms suffered a decline of 11 percent for the fiscal year ended April 30. Leading the way as the highest-grossing firm for the year was Clifford Chance.

Clifford Chance returned to the top spot despite suffering a 5 percent decline in revenue to $1.8 billion, Bloomberg reports.

Linklaters, last year’s highest-grossing U.K. firm, fell to 2^nd on revenue of $1.78 billion, which was an 8.8 percent decline from the prior year. Rounding out the magic circle firms were Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP with $1.73 billion, a drop of 11 percent; and Allen & Overy LLP, which reported revenue of $1.59 billion, a four percent drop.

Revenue is down a bit, but you always expect it to come down as the recession unwinds,” Tony Williams, founder of Jomati Consultants in London and a former managing partner at Clifford Chance, told Bloomberg. “The initial panic from the financial crisis and the Lehman collapse caused a lot of work, and there’s been a period where everyone sort of licks their wounds.”

Bloomberg cited a major decrease in mergers & acquisitions work as the reason for the declines.

Law Society of Scotland to Cut Employees

Erik Even — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 21:47:54 +0000

The Law Society of Scotland may cut employees, as it faces losing £1 million in revenue.

The professional governing body is cutting the cost of practicing as a solicitor from £665 for a “for a compulsory practising certificate” to £565. The cut in fees will cause the revenue shortfall.

Law Society staff have been asked to consider voluntary redundancies to save £250,000 in employment costs. The Society employs 120.

The Law Society of Scotland is the professional governing body for Scottish solicitors, based in Edinburgh. It was established by the Legal Aid & Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1949. The Society promotes the interests of the Solicitors profession in Scotland, and the interests of the public in relation to the profession.

All practising solicitors in Scotland must be members of the Society, and must hold a current Practising Certificate which is issued by the Society.

Allen & Overy Partners Switch Firms

Erik Even — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 16:31:42 +0000

Allen & Overy attorney Michael Jahnke has lateraled to Howrey. He joins as a partner in the competition practice group. His practice focuses on tobacco, food, energy and telecommunications corporations.

Meanwhile, A&O Capital markets partner Srinivas Parthasarathy will leave A&O’s Singapore office to join Trilegal’s Mumbai office as a partner. He will head the capital markets group. The two firms have been affiliated since January 2008.

Founded in 1930, Allen & Overy has approximately 5,500 staff in 31 offices worldwide. It is part of the Magic Circle of London-based law firms.

Ledingham Chalmers Sees Profits Fall, Will Not Hold Layoffs

Erik Even — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 22:02:11 +0000

Ledingham Chalmers has announced a drop in pre-tax profits of 20%, to £3.3 million ($5.5 million), in the year to March. But the firm does not intend to hold layoffs.

Activity was up in energy and rural matters, but down in property matters. Fee income fell 3% to £9.1 million ($15 million).

Other, larger Scottish rivals have made redundancies this year. Ledingham Chalmers plans to keep its workforce in the hopes that business will improve. It employs 147 staff, including 24 partners.

Ledingham Chalmers LLP is a regional law firm with offices in Aberdeen, Inverness and Edinburgh, and is one of the largest full service firms in Scotland.

Beachcroft Brings on 4 Lawyers

Erik Even — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 16:59:31 +0000

Beachcroft has hired a four-lawyer clinical negligence team, working out of Dublin.

Ann O’Driscoll joins from Mason Hayes+Curran as a clinical negligence partner. She advises health care professionals and hospitals on clinical negligence and risk management issues.

She is joined by Ciara Palmer, a legal executive from Mason Hayes. Two associates will also join the team, Claire Foley from William Fry and Suzanne O’Keeffe from BCM Hanby Wallace.

Beachcroft LLP is one of the largest national commercial law firms in the United Kingdom. It employs over 1,500 people, and provides legal advice and litigation services from eight UK locations (Birmingham, Bristol, Brussels, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, Winchester, and two in London) as well as Brussels.

One Essex Court Raises Trainee Salaries

Erik Even — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 16:27:35 +0000

The 2010 incoming trainee class at London’s One Essex Court will be paid £60,000 ($99,550) per year, or a £15,000 ($24,900) above current rates.

This is as much as 60% more than new trainees are paid at other major British law firms, blawgs are reporting. And most other firms have cut salaries, not increased them.

The firm is taking in three trainees this October at £45,000 ($74,700).

One Essex Court is a leading set of barristers’ chambers, specializing in commercial litigation. It employs 66 lawyers.

Linklaters’ ‘New World’ Faces Legal Action from Redundant Staffer

Erik Even — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 17:24:15 +0000

British blawgs are reporting that Linklaters wants to avoid legal action from a former employee let go during a massive redundancy consultation that targeted 400.

The firm confirmed that it is in talks with the ex-staffer, but would not elaborate on details.

A global restructuring initiative called “Linklaters New World” saw the layoffs of about 200 lawyers and 200 staffers, plus compensation changes. The firm is also encouraging up to 35 partners to leave the firm this year.

Linklaters has 26 offices in 19 countries, and is one of the five members of the “Magic Circle” of prominent UK law firms.

Law Firm Hirings & Firings

Erik Even — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 17:47:17 +0000

Recent laterals and layoffs in the legal sector:

Former Georgia state senator Rusty Paul joins Arnall Golden Gregory, to head the Atlanta law firm’s government affairs & public policy practice. He is a Sandy Springs city councilman, and was previously a federal assistant cabinet secretary and chairman of the state Republican Party. Paul served in the Department of Housing & Urban Development under President George H.W. Bush, as assistant secretary for congressional & intergovernmental affairs. He founded his own government affairs firm, iSquared Communications.

Harold Creel Jr. joins lobbying firm Alcalde & Fay as a partner. Creel is a former federal Maritime Commission chairman under Clinton and GW Bush, and will lobby on behalf of the Cruise Lines International Association. Previously, he was senior counsel to the Merchant Marine subcommittee of the Senate’s Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. His JD is from the University of South Carolina School of Law.

Sir Ian Kennedy joins the UK’s Beachcroft LLP to head its new NHS health advisory service. Kennedy was previously chair of the Healthcare Commission, a member and chair of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, and a member of both the General Medical Council and the Medicines Commission. He is Emeritus Professor of Health Law, Ethics and Policy at University College London. Kennedy was knighted in 2002 for services to medical law and bioethics.

Watson Burton Finds Work for Trainees

Erik Even — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 16:45:24 +0000

Commercial law firm Watson Burton has offered a job to only one or two of its eight qualifying trainees, according to blawgs.

However, the firm has helped all but one of those trainees find alternate employment. For instance, one will join a client of the firm, and another has been hired by a local accountant.

In March, Watson Burton launched a redundancy consultation targeting 25% of its staff.

Founded in 1811, Watson Burton is a leading law firm providing legal services to industry, commerce, public sector and private individuals, with offices in Newcastle, Leeds and London, United Kingdom.

Laid Off Garden Stirling Employees Win Compensation

Erik Even — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 20:55:26 +0000

A Scottish employment tribunal has awarded £20,000 in compensation to two former staffers at Garden Stirling.

The tribunal rejected claims made by 56-year-old paralegal assistant Linda Bruce, and 52-year-old financial adviser Anne Crawford, that age discrimination played a part in their firings.

But the tribunal agreed that Crawford was not offered outplacement, and that Bruce was unfairly selected for redundancy.

Bruce of was awarded £19,688 ($33,000), and Crawford was awarded £1,782 ($3,000).

Haddington, Scotland-based real estate law firm Garden Stirling Burnet has offices in Tranent and Dunbar.

Law Firm Hirings & Firings

Erik Even — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 17:43:54 +0000

Recent laterals and layoffs in the legal sector:

John Brownlee joins Holland & Knight as partner in the firm’s McLean, Virginia and Washington DC offices. He was US Attorney in the Western District of Virginia from 2001 to 2008. He joins the firm’s enforcement defense and government contracts practices. He received his JD from the College of William & Mary in Virginia.

Sergio A. Pozzerle joins McDermott Will & Emery in Houston, as a partner in the energy & derivatives markets group. He joins from Pillsbury. His JD is from Yale Law School, where he was senior editor of Yale Law Journal.

Tim Jeveons joins Greenberg Traurig from White & Case, to launch the firm’s capital markets practice in London. He joined White & Case in 2003 from Linklaters.

Freshfields Loses Top Partners

Erik Even — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 16:41:47 +0000

Freshfields has lost two top partners, both of whom joined the firm from White & Case less than two years ago.

Maurice Allen is one of the UK’s top banking lawyers, having worked at Clifford Chance and Weil Gotshal. He and Mike Goetz joined Freshfields in March 2008.

The firm describes the split as amicable — but Allen has a reputation for problems with management, including publicized friction at White & Case.

London’s Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is an international law firm with offices in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the US. In 2006 it was the world’s fourth largest law firm by revenues.

HBJ Gately Wareing Lays Off Partners — More to Come

Erik Even — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 03:22:22 +0000

HBJ Gately Wareing has laid off two partners, and expects further job cuts. Stephen Webster and Stuart Rennie have been asked to leave the firm.

The firm expects to let go more people, perhaps associates, in the near future.

Founded more than 200 years ago, HBJ Gateley Wareing is a top 70 international law firm with offices in the UK and Dubai.

SJ Berwin PPP Plummets 50%

Erik Even — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 17:27:02 +0000

Law firm SJ Berwin has announced that profits per equity partner, which were £801,000 ($1.33 million) for 2008, fell to £410,000 ($680,000) for 2009.

The firm saw revenue fall 14% to £184 million ($305 million).

The other British firms that have seen the largest drop in profits are Travers Smith, Clifford Chance, Ashurst and Berwin Leighton Paisner.

Rumor: DLA Piper to Cut Equity Partners

Erik Even — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 00:51:53 +0000

Blawgs are reporting on rumors that global law juggernaut DLA Piper plans to force out some equity partners. The finance and projects groups are said to be particularly targeted, at the offices in the United Kingdom and Dubai.

Earlier this month, the firm laid off 21 lawyers and 100 staff in Chicago and New York.

The firm has made no official comment.

If you know anything about pending layoffs at DLA Piper, please — send us a confidential tip!

DLA Piper is one of the largest law firms in the world. It is a legal services organization whose members and affiliates are separate and distinct legal entities. The organization boasts more than 3,500 lawyers in 29 countries and 65 office.

Halliwells Cutting Work Hours — Billing Requirments Stay the Same

Erik Even — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 16:36:42 +0000

Manchester, UK’s Halliwells, which in March launched a redundancy consultation targeting 30, is cutting attorneys’ working hours, but not adjusting its billable hours requirements.

The firm is putting three quarters of its fee earners on a four-day week, with a commensurate 15% pay cut.

But the firm is keeping billable hours targets unchanged, meaning attorneys must work 25% more hours each day to keep up.

Halliwells is a commercial law firm, and one of the UK’s top 50.

Dundas & Wilson Profits Down 12%

Erik Even — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 17:20:59 +0000

Dundas & Wilson, which cut 50 jobs in March, has reported a drop in annual profits of £9 million ($14.8 million).

The firm saw profits of £66 million ($108.5 million) in fiscal 2009, down from £74.8 million ($123 million) in 2008.

The firm is asking staff to agree to a temporary 10% salary reduction from September ’09 to April ’10, to avoid redundancies. Staff would get 18 additional holiday days.

Senior management has already taken a 10% cut.

Edinburgh’s Dundas & Wilson, Scotland’s largest law firm, is the 39th largest law firm in the UK. It employs 550 people in addition to 82 partners, across offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow and London.

Pinsent PPP Down, Confirms Layoffs

Erik Even — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 16:31:01 +0000

Pinsent Masons saw profits per partner plummet 36%, falling to £310,000 ($511,000).

Revenues were up 1% to £215 million ($355 million) in the last fiscal year.

The firm announced a redundancy consultation in June, and now confirms that 20 lawyers and staff will be let go. Pinsent Masons has also implemented sabbaticals and four-day weeks at 80% pay.

Pinsent Masons LLP is a full-service commercial law firm. The firm ranked amongst the top 15 law firms in the UK and internationally ranks in the Global 100. Pinsent Masons has UK offices in Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, London and Manchester, and internationally in Beijing, Brussels, Dubai, Hong Kong and Shanghai.

Speechly Bircham Hires 90 from Campbell Hooper

Erik Even — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 17:33:00 +0000

London law firm Speechly Bircham has hired 90 people, including 17 partners, from the dissolving Campbell Hooper.

The hirings, which are not being characterized as a merger, give Speechly Bircham a total of over 400 employees. The firm says the move makes Speechly Bircham on of the top 50 UK firms.

Speechly Bircham has also reorganized, creating three groups — business law with 120 lawyers, real estate with 70 lawyers, and private clients with 60 lawyers.

Founded in the 19th century, Speechly Bircham is a 200-lawyer firm based in the City of London, with a strong reputation for both commercial and private client work.

Survey: Slaughter & May Top UK Firm for Associate Satisfaction

Erik Even — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:30:38 +0000

A survey conducted by Legal Week says Slaughter and May has the most satisfied associates of any UK firm.

Legal Week Intelligence’s 2009 Employee Satisfaction Survey questioned more than 4,000 associates at the top 75 law firms in England and Wales, and at the top 10 US firms in London.

Slaughter operates on a bonus plan based on salary, without any billable hours targets. The firm paid out a firmwide bonus of 10% of base salary in November 2008.

Not a single Slaughter associate surveys is looking for another job; at Magic Circle firms, an average of 10% are looking for different work.

The other top firms were CMS Cameron McKenna, Dewey & LeBoeuf and Weil Gotshal & Manges.

Paull & Williamsons May Cut Hours, Lawyers

Erik Even — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 23:44:08 +0000

Leading Scottish law firm Paull and Williamsons is discussing money-saving options with its staff, including reduced work weeks, sabbaticals, and involuntary redundancies.

The firm employs 170 people in Aberdeen. No decisions have been made at this time.

If you know anything about layoffs or other cost-cutting measures at Paull and Williamsons, please — send us a confidential tip!

Established in Aberdeen, Scotland in 1881, Paull and Williamsons specializes in employment law, corporate finance and the oil and gas industry. It has a second office in Edinburgh.