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  • July 23, 2013 |

    The Performance Challenge: practical tips

    Through their discussions with the ValueDynamics panel of contributors, Addleshaw Goddard have identified a number of practical ideas to improve the effectiveness of the legal function.

    1 minute read

  • July 19, 2013 |

    ValueDynamics - the Performance Challenge

    In this, the fourth article in the ValueDynamics series, Addleshaw Goddard considers in depth the third of four sections of our study: the Performance Challenge. The Performance Challenge follows the Value and Structural Challenges and also provides a platform for the Talent Challenge by enabling GCs to work out how to get the best out of their in-house legal team.

    1 minute read

  • July 19, 2013 |

    The Performance Challenge: a 12 month programme for General Counsel

    Having determined and designed the right structure, GCs need to understand how to get that structure performing in the right way. How can they harness the activities of the team and its structure to drive value for the business? How can they ensure that performance is greater than the sum of the team's parts?

    1 minute read

  • July 18, 2013 |

    Addleshaws and DWF lead as JD Sports buys Ark out of administration

    Addleshaw Goddard and DWF have both taken lead roles on JD Sports Fashion's purchase of the business and assets of financially stricken fashion retailer Ark out of administration. The transaction, the value of which is undisclosed, is expected to save about 10 stores and 160 jobs at Leeds-headquartered Ark, while the company's management board has also been retained.

    1 minute read

  • July 18, 2013 |

    Construction group Costain to review five-firm legal panel

    Construction and engineering company Costain Group is to review its external panel of legal advisers later this year. The listed company is set to launch a review of its current five-firm line-up, in a move that will mark the first formal review of the roster since it was first introduced in 2008. The current line-up sees Slaughter and May act as a primary adviser on major corporate work, alongside Pinsent Masons, Bevan Brittan, Addleshaw Goddard and Clyde & Co. The review will be led by legal director and company secretary Tracey Wood, who first developed the panel system five years ago after joining from legacy Hammonds. She commented: "Working with fewer suppliers has increased benefits and understanding on both sides."

    1 minute read

  • July 18, 2013 |

    Addleshaws moves Africa energy market up agenda with double partner hire

    Addleshaw Goddard is driving Africa up the agenda with a push into the energy and resources markets following the hire of Shepherd and Wedderburn partner duo Angus Rollo and Guy Winter. The pair, both of whom previously worked at Linklaters and Shearman & Sterling, will boost partner numbers within the firm's Africa group to six.

    1 minute read

  • July 11, 2013 |

    Addleshaws, Linklaters and Olswang advise on Sainsbury's-Vodafone mobile network deal

    Addleshaw Goddard, Linklaters and Olswang have advised on a joint venture (JV) between Sainsbury's and Vodafone to create a new mobile phone network, 'Mobile by Sainsbury's'. Addleshaws advised Sainsbury's, with a team led by technology, media and intellectual property partner James Whittaker and corporate finance partner Andrew Rosling. Linklaters and Olswang acted for Vodafone, with Linklaters' global competition head Gerwin Van Gerven advising on competition clearance alongside Raj Roy from Vodafone's in-house legal team. Olswang partner Louis Glass handled corporate advice.

    1 minute read

  • July 11, 2013 |

    Making Haigh – GFH Capital's general counsel David Haigh on buying Leeds Utd

    When David Haigh recounts his first meeting with Ken Bates the anecdote reveals as much about himself as it does about the famously combative ex-chairman of Leeds United Football Club. "He had his leaving event recently and I was reminding him about the first time we met in Monaco," recalls Haigh, whose Dubai-based GFH Capital bought the club from Bates at the end of last year. "His first question to me, in a rather gruff voice, was 'how old are you?' – to which the answer was about a third of his age." The comments are typical of the chipper self-confidence exuded by 35-year-old Haigh, the Islamic private equity group's general counsel and deputy chief executive – and now managing director of Leeds United, with responsibility for the daily running of the club.

    1 minute read

  • July 10, 2013 |

    A&O, Nabarro, Addleshaws advise on UK Coal rescue deal

    Nabarro, Addleshaw Goddard and Allen & Overy (A&O) have won roles on a rescue deal the saw the UK's largest coal miner file for administration. Birmingham High Court appointed PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) partners David Kelly, Robert Hebenton and Ian Green as joint administrators of UK Coal yesterday (9 July) following an application made by UK Coal directors.

    1 minute read

  • July 4, 2013 |

    Branching out - how top law firms are going beyond the City to cut costs

    Deutsche Bank's global head of compliance, Simon Dodds, is one of many senior in-house lawyers to have called on City-based law firms to farm out straightforward legal work to low-cost centres. "Magic circle law firms in particular have a problem with their model. [They have] commoditised to some extent but lawyers are sitting in London – the most expensive place in the world," he told a Legal Week conference.

    1 minute read