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  • September 9, 2011 |

    Ashurst's Cookson exits to join DLA Piper as London real estate chief

    DLA Piper has boosted its real estate practice with the hire of senior Ashurst partner Simon Cookson as the firm's new London real estate chief. Cookson was previously Ashurst's European real estate chief, and also held a position on the firm's board.

    1 minute read

  • September 9, 2011 |

    Macfarlanes signs up Shearman partner to lead real estate practice

    Macfarlanes has recruited a new head of real estate with the hire of a senior partner from US firm Shearman & Sterling. Ian Nisse will join Macfarlanes at the end of the month after seven years as a partner at Shearman, where he was international co-head of real estate, working in both the firm's London and Abu Dhabi offices. He will succeed Simon Hillson as head of real estate at Macfarlanes, with Hillson continuing as a partner in the group after five years as practice head.

    1 minute read

  • September 7, 2011 |

    A waste of money - is the bonus round at top US firms just money down the drain?

    US law firms are conditioned to doling out tightly banded 'follow-the-leader' bonus awards to associates. But, argues Amy Kolz, there is little evidence this practice reflects market reality or even buys them any staff loyalty

    1 minute read

  • August 31, 2011 |

    African stampede - why the scramble for Africa can benefit both international and local firms

    The stampede to enter the African legal market can benefit both international and local law firms, says Shearman & Sterling's Christophe Asselineau

    1 minute read

  • August 31, 2011 |

    Africa and Middle East

    The Arab Spring's silver lining, the stampede to enter the African legal market, Angola's protectionist approach to its resources, South Sudan's first steps as a sovereign state and Saudi Arabia's economy and forward-thinking monarch

    1 minute read

  • August 24, 2011 |

    Linklaters US derivatives chief exits to take new role at futures regulator

    Linklaters' US structured finance and derivatives chief Gary Barnett has left the firm to take a newly-created role at the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Barnett - who has spent seven years at the magic circle firm since joining in 2004 from Shearman & Sterling - has been appointed to head up the Division of Swap Dealer and Intermediary Oversight, a new subdivision of the CFTC charged with policing complex securities.

    1 minute read

  • August 3, 2011 |

    Shearman and White & Case act on $20bn Saudi petrochemical project

    Shearman & Sterling and White & Case have taken lead roles on a $20bn (£12.3bn) joint venture (JV) that will see Dow Chemical and Saudi Arabia's Aramco build a petrochemical complex in the Saudi city of Jubail. US law firm Shearman has taken the lead role for Dow Chemical, fielding a team led by London managing partner Nick Buckworth, who worked alongside fellow project finance partner Ben Shorten.

    1 minute read

  • August 3, 2011 |

    The great game – can British firms retain their upper hand in Hong Kong?

    Though Hong Kong formally reverted to Chinese rule 14 years ago, it often feels as if the British are still in charge. Place names like Victoria Peak and Queen's Road remain unchanged and expatriates from Essex and Kent continue to throng the bars of Lan Kwai Fong. Pub favourites are as easily available as dim sum.

    1 minute read

  • August 3, 2011 |

    Bakers holds London associate pay levels as US firms set salary rates

    Baker & McKenzie is freezing pay for its City associates at last year's levels, with trainees the only London lawyers to see increases in salary rates. The international firm has opted to hold rates at 2010 levels, meaning newly-qualified (NQ) associates at Bakers' City arm will continue to earn £61,000. Lawyers with one year's post-qualification experience (PQE) will earn £68,000 and two and three-year PQE rates will remain at £74,000 and £82,000 respectively. Associates will progress through the pay bands as normal.

    1 minute read

  • July 25, 2011 |

    Weil Gotshal to pay London NQs £97k as US firm boosts associate rates

    Weil Gotshal & Manges has raised its salary bands for City associates, with newly-qualified (NQ) London lawyers at the US firm set to receive £97,000 from September this year. The move marks an increase of 8% on last year, when NQs were paid £90,000, and a 14% increase from two years ago, when NQ salaries stood at £85,000.

    1 minute read