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  • June 4, 2008 |

    Technology, media and telecoms: The convergence challenge

    In a sector that loves buzz words, acronyms and catchy straplines, it could be easy to get caught up in whichever interpretation of convergence is most prevalent at any given moment. Drop the word into conversation at trendy membership clubs such as Shoreditch House or Century and old media types will nod sagely and acknowledge you as a lawyer plugged into the digital zeitgeist: but what does convergence really mean? Entertainment technology is evolving, whether it is the convergence of digital devices (so your PlayStation 3 is a games console, a BluRay DVD player, a media centre and a browser all in one) or the convergence of media (so you can receive audiovisual transmissions via terrestrial, satellite, cable, the internet or even on your mobile phone via digital audio broadcasting). However, it is the broader convergence of advertising, technology and media that is truly driving change. Lawyers who previously advised clients in a discrete practice area have to adapt quickly and learn new skills in other areas of law. Similarly, legislators and regulatory bodies need to move faster than ever to keep up with an audience and marketplace that is constantly changing the rules.

    1 minute read

  • May 20, 2008 |

    2008 Assistant Pay League: a Legal Week Wiki special

    Who pays what and how. Your A-Z guide to the pay scales at the top UK and US firms.

    1 minute read

  • May 1, 2008 |

    Edwards Angell turns focus to City private equity expansion

    Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge is setting its sights on the highly competitive London private equity market. The Boston firm, which launched in London at the beginning of this year through its merger with UK firm Kendall Freeman, is already on the lookout for its first hires in the mid-tier private equity market.

    1 minute read

  • April 25, 2008 |

    ...Legal Week Lunchbox: 25/04/08...

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

    1 minute read

  • April 24, 2008 |

    Reed Smith ditches Richards Butler tag early

    Reed Smith has renamed its European and Middle Eastern operations as the US firm consolidates after a spate of merger deals. Reed Smith Richards Butler and Reed Smith Rambaud Charot - the firm's UK and French operations - will practise simply as Reed Smith from 1 May. The firm had also previously operated as Reed Smith Richards Butler in the Middle East.

    1 minute read

  • April 17, 2008 |

    Crunch sees Reed Smith end blanket ban on suing banks

    Reed Smith has ended its self-imposed ban on litigating against banks with the firm now reviewing financial disputes on a case-by-case basis. The move, an apparent reaction to the expectations of a surge in bank-related litigation due to prolonged credit turmoil, is a shift for the firm, which called time on legacy UK firm's Richards Butler's practice of acting against banks after their 2007 merger.

    1 minute read

  • April 15, 2008 |

    Kirkland captures Chicago trio from rival

    Kirkland & Ellis has hired a trio of partners from Mayer Brown in Chicago, adding in private equity, real estate and tax. Bruce Gelman, Thomas Geraghty and Joshua Hanna have all joined from the Chicago base of the rival US firm, where they were all partners.

    1 minute read

  • April 10, 2008 | International Edition

    Simmons and Reed Smith swoop in to land roles on Airbus finance panel

    Simmons & Simmons and Reed Smith have joined a raft of firms appointed to the new Airbus financing panel. Simmons, Reed Smith, Norton Rose, White & Case and Allen & Overy (A&O) have all been given places on the panel, which provides legal advice on issues relating to the financing of new Airbus aircraft.

    1 minute read

  • April 10, 2008 |

    Simmons and Reed Smith swoop in to land roles on Airbus finance panel

    Simmons & Simmons and Reed Smith have joined a raft of firms appointed to the new Airbus financing panel. Simmons, Reed Smith, Norton Rose, White & Case and Allen & Overy (A&O) have all been given places on the panel, which provides legal advice on issues relating to the financing of new Airbus aircraft.

    1 minute read

  • April 9, 2008 |

    The sultan of Bruni

    With the UK only now getting over its slightly embarrassing teenage-style crush on French premiere madame Carla Bruni (well, not French as such, but... you know), The Diary was last week picking over the metaphorical bones of the super-exclusive reception held for M Sarkozy at the Guildhall on 27 March. The legal profession was represented by such grande fromages as Herbert Smith chief David Gold and SJ Berwin counterpart Ralph Cohen, who rubbed shoulders on table two with a chap from Reed Smith.

    1 minute read