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  • April 16, 2008 |

    Duck the downturn

    Legal Week's career clinic recently received an anxious message from a newly-qualified corporate associate at a US firm. No doubt having heard stories of the gruelling hours put in at such firms, the associate expressed surprise - and concern - that they were not exactly run off their feet. "I am concerned that the lack of work coming into the department will mean that heads will start to roll and I may be picking up my P45 sooner or later."

    1 minute read

  • April 16, 2008 |

    US Focus: Legal aid

    When a London-based partner at a magic circle firm took an American colleague and his wife out to the opera recently, the conversation turned to politics.The English lawyer expressed surprise that the US partner appeared to be so familiar with the political views and activities of his fellow partners. Indeed, the US lawyer observed: "Partners are likely to have lunchtime conversation about politics or pull someone across the room and say 'did you read that article today about that speech by Obama?'"While in the UK there are numerous high-level politicians who initially trained as lawyers, on the other side of the Atlantic practising lawyers tend to be more engaged in politics, at both a local and national level. "In the US a large proportion of prominent lawyers are very politically active," says the US partner. "Many may run for office some day or, even if not, they are very politically connected. A significant reason for why lawyers become lawyers in the US is that they have political ambitions or interests - they would like to have some influence."

    1 minute read

  • April 16, 2008 |

    Online special: Partners hail gay initiatives

    More than 90% of leading lawyers believe the profession has improved its record on supporting gay staff, as highlighted by a number of law firms recently launching their own lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender groups. Emma Sadowski reports

    1 minute read

  • April 16, 2008 |

    Connect for success

    Until recently, most law firm leaders have successfully juggled their producer and manager roles, succeeding in both getting the work done and motivating the law firm's professionals. However, the current environment is much more competitive and challenging than ever before. Not only do clients and associates expect more, issues of size and increasing corporatisation, geographic coverage, and mergers and acquisitions that rarely deliver the expected value have added significant complexity. So, too, has the trend in some sectors for industrial organisations to enter the professional services arena.

    1 minute read

  • April 11, 2008 |

    Orrick, Dorsey named in new Brobeck profits suit

    The trustee in the bankruptcy case of defunct US law firm Brobeck Phleger & Harrison is suing 10 former partners and the two firms they joined for work they took with them after Brobeck dissolved, writes The Recorder. Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe and four partners at the firm are the defendants in one suit, with Dorsey & Whitney and six of its partners named in the other.

    1 minute read

  • April 10, 2008 | International Edition

    Simmons wins surprise UK role on Bear Stearns fire sale

    Simmons & Simmons has won a surprise role on the fire sale of Bear Stearns - advising the stricken Wall Street giant on the UK aspects of its sale to JP Morgan last month. Simmons' role on the high-profile sale will be seen as a coup for the top 10 City firm's corporate and finance practices, with the partners Jeremy Hoyland (financial markets) and Alan Karter (corporate) brought on board when it became apparent that the bank was in trouble.

    1 minute read

  • April 10, 2008 |

    Simmons wins surprise UK role on Bear Stearns fire sale

    Simmons & Simmons has won a surprise role on the fire sale of Bear Stearns - advising the stricken Wall Street giant on the UK aspects of its sale to JP Morgan last month. Simmons' role on the high-profile sale will be seen as a coup for the top 10 City firm's corporate and finance practices, with the partners Jeremy Hoyland (financial markets) and Alan Karter (corporate) brought on board when it became apparent that the bank was in trouble.

    1 minute read

  • April 10, 2008 |

    Morgan Cole wins sole contract as first adviser to Welsh legislative body

    Welsh heavyweight Morgan Cole has become the first law firm to be appointed to advise the Welsh legislature. The firm was awarded the sole contract by the National Assembly for Wales Commission after a competitive tender process, with the appointment set to last for four years.

    1 minute read

  • April 8, 2008 |

    SRA to probe Veneik's BLP departure

    The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has kicked off an investigation into the departure of real estate partner Vinay Veneik from Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP). The regulatory body has launched a formal investigation looking into the abrupt departure of Veneik from the City firm in January, with BLP's staffing procedures and conduct during the incident set to come under the microscope.

    1 minute read

  • April 7, 2008 |

    Covington nabs O'Melveny private equity team

    Covington & Burling has recruited to its New York office a seven-lawyer private equity team from O'Melveny & Myers - including former investment funds practice co-head Timothy Clark, writes the New York Law Journal. Clark, who will become co-chair of Covington's private equity practice, specialises in representing private equity fund sponsors. His clients have included CCMP Capital, Eos Capital Partners, Tishman Speye and JP Morgan Capital.

    1 minute read