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  • June 7, 2012 |

    International interest in UK mergers grows as City retains pulling power

    The number of international law firms in London open to a UK merger has almost doubled over the past year, according to new research which highlights the sustained attraction of English law for firms with global ambitions. Legal Week's annual survey of international law firms in London has seen the number of firms that would consider a UK merger rise from seven to 13, of which three – K&L Gates, Bryan Cave and Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr – said they would 'definitely' consider the option.

    1 minute read

  • June 6, 2012 |

    Freshfields competition veteran heads to Milbank's London arm

    Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer competition partner Nicholas Spearing has left the firm to join the City arm of Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy. Spearing, who joined Freshfields in 1978 and made partner in 1984, has already joined Milbank, where he is the first UK competition partner in the firm's London office.

    1 minute read

  • May 24, 2012 |

    Davis Polk and Cleary lead on $2.2bn buyout of Danish healthcare company

    Davis Polk & Wardwell and Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton's City arms have taken lead roles on Agilent's $2.2bn (£1.4bn) acquisition of Danish cancer diagnostics company Dako from private equity house EQT Partners.

    1 minute read

  • May 24, 2012 |

    Freshfields tightens exit terms with six months' notice for partners

    Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has extended its notice period for departing partners from three months to six, following a string of partner exits over the last two years.

    1 minute read

  • May 24, 2012 |

    Have QFLPs worked for Singapore?

    Singapore is to award more licences, but many still question the value of practising local law. Jessica Seah reports

    1 minute read

  • May 23, 2012 |

    Irish trio act alongside Wall St elite on US company's $11bn Ireland tax move

    A trio of top Irish law firms have taken roles on an $11.8bn (£7.5bn) deal which has seen US power management company Eaton move its headquarters to Ireland, saving the the US business millions of dollars in taxes a year. The multibillion-dollar acquisition of Irish electrical equipment supplier Cooper Industries will create a global electricity company incorporated in the Emerald Isle, with the combined business called Eaton Global.

    1 minute read

  • May 16, 2012 |

    Sullivan and Slaughters lead as Diageo taps US bond markets for $2.5bn

    Diageo has instructed a trio of leading law firms on a $2.5bn (£1.5bn) financing deal that saw the London-based drinks giant tap the US bond markets. The London-based company, which owns alcoholic beverage brands including Guinness, Baileys, Captain Morgan and Smirnoff, turned to Sullivan & Cromwell for US law advice with Slaughter and May taking the lead UK law role.

    1 minute read

  • April 19, 2012 |

    Friends in high places - the controversies dogging the SEC

    "If the SEC gave JP Morgan a pass because it was doing the Government a favour by taking over Bear Stearns in a crisis, then it should come out and say so. Otherwise, it is hard to understand why the SEC never brought this case..."

    1 minute read

  • April 19, 2012 |

    A heavy burden - the huge US pension plans weighing down on younger partners

    A remnant of a simpler time, the generous pension plans at many Am Law 100 law firms place an increasing weight on younger partners. Is a generational battle looming? Julie Triedman reports

    1 minute read

  • April 13, 2012 |

    Davis Polk adds second Freshfields partner to new English law practice

    Davis Polk & Wardwell has recruited another Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer partner for its English law practice in the City, following the hire of corporate veteran Simon Witty for its launch this month. Tax partner Jonathan Cooklin is set to join the Wall Street leader's London base after 19 years at the magic circle firm, where he has been a partner since 2001 and head of the insurance tax group. His start date is yet to be confirmed.

    1 minute read