The recent upturn in the market cannot simply be due to seasonal enthusiasm. There is a real and increasing appetite for transactions. However, what changes are afoot that will affect the private equity community? Among others, two key developments in the law need to be in the forefront of all houses’ minds — workplace pension […]
Eversheds believes that the launch of a FTSE-compliant UK Employee Ownership (EO) Index is a positive step but says there is much still to be done. Danny Blum, partner and employee incentives expert at Eversheds, said: ‘It is encouraging to see the government focusing on and promoting employee share ownership. Numerous studies have shown that employees […]
King & Wood Mallesons SJ Berwin (KWM SJB) has defeated Dechert in the Court of Appeal in a trademark battle for British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB). KWM SJB partners David Rose and Robert Guthrie instructed One Essex Court’s Geoffrey Hobbs QC for the broadcaster in its response to an appeal by broadcasting group Starbucks (HK), which […]
On 13 November 2013, New York enacted Chapter 481 of the Laws of 2013, which adds a new section 1415 to the New York Insurance Law effective 11 February 2014. The new law treats as nonadmitted assets any investments made by domestic and foreign licensed insurers in designated persons engaged in energy sector investment activities […]
Although some commentators are beginning to question the status of South Africa as a gateway for sub-Saharan Africa, the fact remains that for international firms the continent’s most-developed economy is still the easiest place to set up shop. Hogan Lovells has become the latest global player to get its own office there, snapping up former […]
The 2013 Marie Curie Birmingham Brain Game has been won for the third time by No5 Chambers. The quiz master for this year’s charity showcase brainteaser was Emma Willis, a TV presenter from Sutton Coldfield. The quiz and auction raised more than £100,000 with 51 teams from the legal and other business sectors competing. Nicola […]
The London Boroughs of Barnet and Harrow have entered a partnership agreement with Bevan Brittan as the two councils become the first local authority to apply for an ABS licence. The two boroughs, which merged their legal teams last July to form HB Public Law (HBPL) (5 April 2012), will now offer legal advice to […]
Dentons has boosted its presence in Istanbul with the hire of six lawyers and three economists specialising in competition. Şahin Ardıyok joins Dentons’ local associate firm Balcioğlu Selçuk Akman Keki (Baseak) as a partner from consultancy firm ACTECON, bringing with him five lawyers and three economists. Ardıyok represents the Turkish state at the International Chamber of Commerce’s […]
Merit based salary or top dollar – what is the best method for remunerating those starting out in law? If you want to feel old, dig into your memories box and take a look at your first pay slip as a qualified solicitor. Now look at the current going rate for an NQ. Subtract the […]
Washington DC-based intellectual property (IP) firm Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner has launched in London but has confirmed the closure of its office in Brussels. The London move, first revealed by The Lawyer in August (16 August 2013), is on the back of the relocation of two partners from Brussels with a third partner […]
Allen & Overy (A&O) has announced a 7.5 per cent increase in revenue for the first half of the 2013/14 financial year, turning over £608m in the six months from 1 May. The magic circle firm’s income figure compares with £566m for the same period in 2012/13 (20 November 2013), a 3 per cent drop […]
Hogan Lovells has confirmed it will merge with full-service South-African outfit Routledge Modise on 1 December. Routledge Modise is expected to relaunch as Hogan Lovells in early 2014. The Johannesburg-based office consists of 120 lawyers, including 40 partners, and specialises in corporate and commercial, litigation and dispute resolution, energy, mining and employment, with clients such […]