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  • April 30, 2013 |

    Transfer Window Asia: recent moves including Hogan Lovells and K&L Gates

    Hong Kong law firm Deacons has added to its corporate team with the hire of private equity partner Robert Woll from Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr (WilmerHale). Woll, who headed the US firm's Beijing office for six years, is a specialist in M&A and private equity transactions, and deals involving venture capital and real estate investment funds.

    1 minute read

  • April 29, 2013 |

    SFO opens criminal probe into mining giant amid Dechert corruption claims

    The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has launched a criminal investigation into mining giant Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation (ENRC), amid reports that its former law firm Dechert uncovered evidence of wrongdoing during an internal probe into corruption allegations at the FTSE 100 company. Dechert, which was removed as lead counsel on the investigation earlier this month, has reportedly sent an eight-page letter to ENRC detailing claims of payments to African presidents, misappropriated cash and document destruction at the mining company, according to a report in The Sunday Times. ENRC denies the allegations.

    1 minute read

  • April 26, 2013 |

    Allen & Gledhill adds five-partner disputes team from Rajah & Tann

    Allen & Gledhill has boosted its disputes team with the hire of five partners from Rajah & Tann and the chief executive of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC). Those joining the Singaporean firm from its rival include Chong Yee Leong, who heads R&T's international arbitration and construction practice and Chong Boon Leong, who specialises in power and telecoms disputes.

    1 minute read

  • April 25, 2013 |

    The path to oblivion - the events that brought Cobbetts' 175-year history to an abrupt end

    On 6 December 2012, Cobbetts' managing partner Nick Carr released a confident statement about the firm's financial position, saying: "Our half-year results ensure we remain on target, and new client wins mean that trading predictions for the next six months are strong. We expect to meet our financial targets by year end." Taken in isolation, this statement is no different to the numerous anodyne comments issued on behalf of law firm managers whenever full and half-year financial results are announced.

    1 minute read

  • April 15, 2013 |

    SFO co-head of bribery and corruption joins US law firm's London base

    Steptoe & Johnson has recruited the Serious Fraud Office's (SFO's) joint head of bribery and corruption as a partner for its London office. Patrick Rappo, who joins the US firm's white-collar criminal defence practice today (15 April), practised as a barrister for 12 years prior to joining the SFO in 2007. At Steptoe he will work across regulation, compliance and litigation.

    1 minute read

  • March 25, 2013 |

    The Transfer Window: recent moves including SNR, Gateley, K&L Gates

    Harbottle & Lewis has recruited top-rated defamation and reputation management partner John Kelly from Schillings, in an eye-catching hire for the City firm. Kelly has acted for a raft of high-profile clients including disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong and former England manager Steve McClaren, as well as other celebrities including Steve Coogan, Madonna, Nicole Kidman, Angelina Jolie and Matt Lucas.

    1 minute read

  • March 21, 2013 |

    Shell to scrap single global panel in international shake-up of advisers

    Royal Dutch Shell plans to scrap its single global legal panel in a review of its external advisers which is also set to make it a requirement for firms to have an office in every jurisdiction in which they represent the company. The oil giant sent out invitations to pitch last week, with firms asked to tender for work in each of the 20 jurisdictions where Shell has its greatest legal spend. Firms will only be appointed in those jurisdictions where they have their own offices, potentially increasing the number of independent firms used.

    1 minute read

  • March 21, 2013 |

    Sidley hires CC funds partner in Singapore after local licence win

    Sidley Austin has hired Clifford Chance funds partner Han Ming Ho in bid to expand its capabilities in Singapore. Ho, who is Singapore-qualified, will join Sidley in the city state to serve as co-head of the Asia investment funds practice alongside Hong Kong-based partner Effie Vasilopoulos.

    1 minute read

  • March 20, 2013 |

    Eversheds names new Singapore chief as former head leaves firm

    Eversheds has appointed arbitration and disputes partner Oommen Mathew to lead its Singapore office, following the departure of former head Desmond Ong. Mathew, who joined Eversheds in 2009 after starting his career at top Singapore firm Allen & Gledhill, also heads up Eversheds' Southeast Asian dispute resolution practice. His new official title will be Singapore managing director.

    1 minute read

  • March 14, 2013 |

    Refining the rules – the lucrative East African market for natural oil and gas

    East Africa's oil and gas market has transformed over the past year following significant gas finds off the coasts of Tanzania and Mozambique, the discovery of oil in Kenya and the movement of Uganda towards development and production of its petroleum reserves. In Tanzania, it is hoped that natural gas discoveries in offshore blocks operated by BG Group and Statoil will lead to the development of a combined liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant requiring tens of billions of dollars' worth of investment.

    1 minute read