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  • August 6, 2008 | International Edition

    Commentary: Cadwalader's tough guy image to face a punishing test

    Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft does not have a reputation for being the cuddliest law firm in the world but, even by its standards, last week's announcement that it is to lay off 96 fee earners was uncompromising stuff. Combined with the 35 job losses announced in January, Cadwalader predicts it will have 580 lawyers in September 2008 compared with around 720 at the end of 2007 - a drop of almost 20%. The only obvious recent precedent for such drastic action at a major law firm is the series of savage cuts that were seen at some of California's tech-focused firms, which had ridden the dotcom wave only to suffer badly during the slump of 2002 and 2003.

    1 minute read

  • August 6, 2008 |

    Commentary: Cadwalader's tough guy image to face a punishing test

    Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft does not have a reputation for being the cuddliest law firm in the world but, even by its standards, last week's announcement that it is to lay off 96 fee earners was uncompromising stuff. Combined with the 35 job losses announced in January, Cadwalader predicts it will have 580 lawyers in September 2008 compared with around 720 at the end of 2007 - a drop of almost 20%. The only obvious recent precedent for such drastic action at a major law firm is the series of savage cuts that were seen at some of California's tech-focused firms, which had ridden the dotcom wave only to suffer badly during the slump of 2002 and 2003.

    1 minute read

  • July 30, 2008 |

    Sidley Austin recruits UK hedge funds counsel

    Sidley Austin has hired Barry Breen as a counsel for its London investment funds, advisers and derivatives practice. Breen's practice will focus on hedge funds. Breen has joined from US law firm Tannenbaum Helpern Syracuse & Hirschtritt.

    1 minute read

  • July 23, 2008 |

    GlaxoSmithKline signs up Sidley partner as new GC

    Pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has completed its hunt for a new general counsel with Sidley Austin life science partner Daniel Troy set to take the role. Troy, who will also take up the position of senior vice president, is set to join the company on 2 September.

    1 minute read

  • July 23, 2008 |

    ...Legal Week Lunchbox: 23/07/08...

    The five most popular articles on legalweek.com today; plus the pick of the day's posts

    1 minute read

  • July 10, 2008 |

    Magic circle trio break into profits top 10 as City firms move up Global 100

    Profits per equity partner (PEP) at top US law firms still narrowly exceed key UK rivals - despite the significant increases the magic circle have achieved in turnover and profitability in recent years. Figures compiled by Legal Week and The American Lawyer show that just three UK firms make it into the global top 10 by PEP - Slaughter and May, Linklaters and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. In contrast, seven US firms make the grade - headed by elite firm Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz.

    1 minute read

  • July 10, 2008 | International Edition

    Magic circle trio break into profits top 10 as City firms move up Global 100

    Profits per equity partner (PEP) at top US law firms still narrowly exceed key UK rivals - despite the significant increases the magic circle have achieved in turnover and profitability in recent years. Figures compiled by Legal Week and The American Lawyer show that just three UK firms make it into the global top 10 by PEP - Slaughter and May, Linklaters and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. In contrast, seven US firms make the grade - headed by elite firm Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz.

    1 minute read

  • July 8, 2008 |

    Sidley makes up 34 to global partnership

    Sidley Austin has promoted 34 associates to its partnership, with only one promotion in London. Securities lawyer David Howe is the only London associate to be made up, with the Chicago-based firm promoting associates across its US, Asian, Australian and European offices. Howe, who joined Sidley Austin in 1999 from Clifford Chance, where he qualified in 1998, advises clients on 'plain vanilla' Eurobonds, capital markets and securities.

    1 minute read

  • June 27, 2008 |

    US Briefing: Goodwin ups ante with Latham lateral

    Goodwin Procter has built a buzz in California by hiring from notable law firms like Morrison & Foerster, Munger Tolles & Olson and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati. On Monday (23 June), the firm upped the ante, adding a Latham & Watkins corporate partner to its trophy case. Bradley Bugdanowitz became the ninth partner in Goodwin's San Francisco office, bringing the firm from zero to 90 total attorneys in California in just two years.

    1 minute read

  • June 19, 2008 | International Edition

    Ex-Olswang partner makes return to firm

    Olswang has bolstered its corporate department with the recruitment of Duncan McDonald, who returns to the firm after a stint in-house. McDonald joined Olswang this week as a partner after spending 18 months at Japanese private equity house Nikko Principal Investments. The move brings McDonald back for a second stint at the City firm. He initially joined Olswang as a partner from Pinsent Masons in 2004.

    1 minute read