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  • July 17, 2008 |

    Global focus drives UK top 50 as firms weather global crunch

    The UK's top law firms have pressed through the initial onslaught of the credit crunch and defied gloomy expectations to achieve double-digit revenue growth for the third year running. Legal Week's 2007-08 results, the first finalised picture of the performance of the UK top 50, demonstrate how the group tapped busy foreign markets to help offset the pronounced global slowdown.Total revenue across the group rose by 14.3% from £10.5bn to just over £12bn, while the top 50 averaged revenue growth of 12.5% to bill an average of £241.9m.

    1 minute read

  • July 17, 2008 |

    National firms lag behind UK average despite double-digit revenue growth

    Nationally-focused law firms have emerged as the weakest performers in the UK over the last 12 months, despite posting double-digit growth in revenues. Results drawn from the Legal Week top 50 show that the UK's top 10 national and regional firms increased their revenues by an average of 10.4% during the last financial year, while average profits per equity partner (PEP) grew by just 2.2%. The results, which come against a backdrop of redundancies at some of the major regional players, mean that average PEP for the biggest national firms now stands at £492,700, with average revenues per lawyer reaching £278,800.

    1 minute read

  • July 16, 2008 |

    Addleshaws secures major deal role on £186m buyout of Nord Anglia Education

    National heavyweight Addleshaw Goddard has secured a role advising Nord Anglia Education on its £186m acquisition by Barings Private Equity Asia Group.

    1 minute read

  • July 16, 2008 |

    Yorkshire gold

    Move to Yorkshire as an associate and make it to your new firm's partnership and you're laughing. Leeds boasts some top flight firms with healthy profits - and the cost of living is cheaper too, says Sophie Evans

    1 minute read

  • July 16, 2008 |

    Jump to Jersey

    For Mark Dunlop, joining a Jersey law firm was the best move he ever made. He was able to combine quality finance work with the relaxed lifestyle of the Channel Islands

    1 minute read

  • July 16, 2008 |

    Industrious revolution

    Ambitious? Look no further than dynamic Manchester, with its opportunities to work hard for some top firms in impressive surroundings

    1 minute read

  • July 16, 2008 |

    High fliers

    Addleshaw Goddard offers the best of both worlds - top quality work with top quality clients, at a firm that has deep roots in the city of Manchester

    1 minute read

  • July 14, 2008 |

    BUPA cuts back legal spend in panel review

    Global healthcare giant BUPA has slashed its spend on external legal fees after inviting firms to offer more competitive rates as part of its tender process. General counsel Paul Newton began reviewing the company's M&A, litigation and procurement advisors in February. After creating a shortlist, the firms were invited to render their services at lower rates in an e-auction style process. It is understood that the review has led to a 30% reduction in the company's legal costs.Initially, each of the three areas was served by four firms, but following the review, the M&A panel has been split into two - one for large and the other for small transactions - and will be covered by five firms. The litigation and procurement panels will now host three firms each.

    1 minute read

  • July 10, 2008 |

    Addleshaws in talks to improve foreign services and increase secondments

    Addleshaw Goddard is pushing to improve its international links by tightening up its relationships with referral firms worldwide and boosting its overseas secondment programme. The top 20 UK firm is in talks with the firms it works with overseas about how to improve services, with chief operating officer and management committee member Peter Smith and disputes lawyer John Gatenby leading discussions.

    1 minute read

  • July 3, 2008 |

    National duo recharge with roles on retail group's revamped panel

    National law firms Pinsent Masons and DLA Piper have landed roles on the revamped legal panel of electrical retailing group DSG International (DSGi). The FTSE 250 group, which is the parent company of retail chains Dixons, Currys and PC World, has drawn up a new advisory group, with the other firms on the panel understood to be Baker & McKenzie and Linklaters.

    1 minute read