• December 10, 2008 |

    Finland: Finn-tastic

    If you want to bet on which European legal professions will best weather the financial storm, then you could do worse than put a few euros on Finland.Although the Finnish economy is hurting, its problems are less acute than those of many other states. The Finnish legal profession is stable and not overly risk-prone. The leading law firms seem aware of the threats facing them and are responding accordingly.Hannes Snellman is the most adventurous - and the firm to watch. One of the three big Helskinki firms, it has just opened up over the Swedish border in Stockholm, as well as starting a second China office in Shanghai, having set up in Beijing in 2006. It has also -strengthened its Russia and Ukraine branches.

    1 minute read

  • December 8, 2008 |

    MoFo names James as new London managing partner

    Morrison & Foerster has appointed a new London chief, with Trevor James becoming the first black managing partner of a US firm in the City. James replaces technology transactions partner Julian Thurston, who has headed up the office for three and a half years. Thurston will stay on at the firm as co-head of the life sciences group.The managing partner role is board-appointed with no set term enforced. In addition to his management responsibilities, James will continue as a full-time fee earner.

    1 minute read

  • December 3, 2008 | International Edition

    Bird & Bird seals alliance with Singapore firm

    Bird & Bird has expanded its presence in Asia after striking up an alliance with Singapore-based Alban Tay Mahtani & de Silva LLP (ATMD). The agreement, which goes live from 1 January, sees Bird & Bird join forces with the 10-partner ATMD, giving it a fourth office in the Asia region in addition to Beijing, Hong Kong and Shanghai.ATMD, which was established in 1994, has around 30 fee earners and specialises in intellectual property (IP), as well as technology-focused corporate and commercial work. ATMD managing partner Alban Kang will continue as managing partner in Singapore.

    1 minute read

  • December 3, 2008 |

    Bird & Bird seals alliance with Singapore firm

    Bird & Bird has expanded its presence in Asia after striking up an alliance with Singapore-based Alban Tay Mahtani & de Silva LLP (ATMD). The agreement, which goes live from 1 January, sees Bird & Bird join forces with the 10-partner ATMD, giving it a fourth office in the Asia region in addition to Beijing, Hong Kong and Shanghai.ATMD, which was established in 1994, has around 30 fee earners and specialises in intellectual property (IP), as well as technology-focused corporate and commercial work. ATMD managing partner Alban Kang will continue as managing partner in Singapore.

    1 minute read

  • December 3, 2008 |

    ...Legal Week Lunchbox: 3/12/08...

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

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  • November 19, 2008 | International Edition

    Bird & Bird joins list of LLP firms

    Bird & Bird is set to become the latest firm to convert to a limited liability partnership (LLP), leaving fewer than 10 of the UK's top 50 law firms yet to convert. Partners at City IP/IT firm voted to approve the conversion within the last few months, with the firm hoping to formally adopt the new status with effect from 1 December. It registered as an LLP with Companies House at the end of September.

    1 minute read

  • November 19, 2008 |

    Bird & Bird joins list of LLP firms

    Bird & Bird is set to become the latest firm to convert to a limited liability partnership (LLP), leaving fewer than 10 of the UK's top 50 law firms yet to convert. Partners at City IP/IT firm voted to approve the conversion within the last few months, with the firm hoping to formally adopt the new status with effect from 1 December. It registered as an LLP with Companies House at the end of September.

    1 minute read

  • November 12, 2008 | International Edition

    Leading City firms continue to post double-digit H1 financials

    A host of major City firms including Allen & Overy (A&O) have withstood the economic turmoil to report double-digit growth in revenues for the first half of 2008. A&O last week (7 November) became the first magic circle firm to post its results for the six months - revealing an 11% increase in revenue on the same period last year. The hike saw the firm's revenues grow to £548m from last year's equivalent figure of £493m.More than half of the firm's billings came from outside the UK, with A&O opening in both Munich and Sao Paolo during the six-month period.

    1 minute read

  • November 12, 2008 |

    Leading City firms continue to post double-digit H1 financials

    A host of major City firms including Allen & Overy (A&O) have withstood the economic turmoil to report double-digit growth in revenues for the first half of 2008. A&O last week (7 November) became the first magic circle firm to post its results for the six months - revealing an 11% increase in revenue on the same period last year. The hike saw the firm's revenues grow to £548m from last year's equivalent figure of £493m.More than half of the firm's billings came from outside the UK, with A&O opening in both Munich and Sao Paolo during the six-month period.

    1 minute read

  • November 12, 2008 |

    Book of contacts

    The Diary wouldn't dream of saying that life at City firm Ashurst is anything other than thrill-a-minute, but the extra-curricular activities of one of its young associates are rather more fantastical. London-based Inabali Iserles, who works three days a week with the firm and spends the rest of the time writing children's books, published her second novel last month.Her first effort, The Tygrine Cat, was lucky enough to be awarded the Calderdale Children's Book Award.

    1 minute read