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  • July 14, 2010 |

    Nationals firms post varied results for 2009-10 as 'big five' remain static

    National and regional firms have produced the most movement in the top 50 this year, with a number of practices seeing sizable fluctuations in revenue and profits. The big five national firms - DLA Piper, Eversheds, Pinsent Masons, Addleshaw Goddard and Hammonds - remained static on their 2008-09 positions in the rankings after experiencing slight declines in turnover.

    1 minute read

  • July 14, 2010 |

    Asia takes centre stage as firms boost revenue in Eastern markets

    UK firms' footholds in Asia have proven their worth in this year's financial results with revenues from the region remaining consistently strong in their contribution to overall turnover. Clifford Chance (CC) in particular saw a notable contribution from its Asia arm, with revenues growing 21% on last year to £126m, up from £104m. The practice now makes up 10% of the firm's overall turnover, up from 8% in 2008-09.

    1 minute read

  • July 13, 2010 |

    Reed Smith recruits Pinsents partner quartet for London base

    Reed Smith has boosted its energy practice with the hire of four partners from Pinsent Masons. Construction partners Keith Hartley, Peter Cassidy, Vincent Rowan and Gordon Bell will increase partner headcount in the US firm's energy, trade & commodities group to 13. Hartley and Cassidy have already joined Reed Smith, but Rowan and Bell will remain at Pinsents while they serve their notice period, before joining the firm later this year after fulfilling existing commitments under the firm's partnership agreement.

    1 minute read

  • July 6, 2010 |

    Hammonds posts strong profits revival as PEP rises by 32%

    Hammonds has announced a 32% increase in profits per equity partner (PEP) as the firm becomes the latest to reveal its 2009-10 financial results. The UK top 30 firm saw profits increase to £364,000, up from last year's figure of £276,000, when PEP fell by 25%. Meanwhile, total turnover dropped by 6% over the financial year to a new mark of £117.8m.

    1 minute read

  • July 6, 2010 |

    Pinsents seals joint venture deal with Singapore association firm

    Pinsent Masons has entered into a joint venture with Singapore ally MPillay that will allow the firm to practise aspects of local law in the region. The new venture, which will be called Pinsent Masons MPillay, will see both firms share profits. MPillay founder and managing partner Mohan Pillay will become a partner at Pinsents and the UK firm will relocate partner Jon Howe and senior associate Wei Yaw Lam from its Hong Kong office to support the new venture.

    1 minute read

  • June 30, 2010 |

    The super panel - local authority legal teams fight back after public sector cuts

    With Chancellor George Osborne last week announcing dramatic spending cuts over the current Parliament, there can be little doubt that public sector workers are gearing up for tougher times. But lawyers, at least, can claim to have made some pre-emptive moves to address the expected age of austerity. One response has been the trend of individual local authorities coming together to share services. This has been extended to buying legal services through the recent series of combined panels - effectively cross-authority panels that allow groups of local bodies to pool their buying power and cut administration.

    1 minute read

  • June 23, 2010 |

    Pinsents sees PEP jump by a third as turnover falls 4%

    Pinsent Masons has unveiled a £100,000 jump in profits per equity partner (PEP) as the top 20 UK law firm becomes the latest to reveal its financial results for the 2009-10 financial year. Pinsents' profits increased by 32% to £410,000 over the last financial year, up from £310,000 during the 2008-09.

    1 minute read

  • June 16, 2010 |

    Public sector to feel the pinch as Government tackles deficit

    Interesting, challenging, tough - words everyone working in the private sector has become used to over the last two years. But its now the turn of lawyers covering the public sector to dig up the austerity-related euphemisms as the new coalition Government pushes on with its plans to reel in the UK's yawning budget deficit. As Paul Gilbert, chief executive of consultant LBC Wise Counsel, comments: "The private sector and big corporates have been through high-profile redundancies and cuts - now it is the public sector's time to see the squeeze."

    1 minute read

  • June 10, 2010 |

    Pinsents, Wragges and DLA among firms to win panel roles for SE boroughs consortium

    A line-up of more than 20 City and national firms have been appointed to the legal panel of a consortium of London and Kent boroughs. The successful firms include Wragge & Co, Pinsent Masons, DLA Piper, Trowers & Hamlins and Dickinson Dees, after more than eighty competed for places on the panel.

    1 minute read

  • June 9, 2010 |

    Taylor Wessing hires international finance partner from K&L Gates

    Taylor Wessing has expanded its international finance group with the hire of K&L Gates partner Richard Williamson. Williamson will join the Anglo-German law firm's London office in early July, after serving his notice period at K&L Gates.

    1 minute read