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  • October 28, 2009 | International Edition

    A competitive revolution

    After years of stalemate and resentment, the debate regarding the regulation of the profession has been thrust into a brave new world. Georgina Stanley talks to the key players and assesses the potential outcome

    1 minute read

  • September 23, 2009 | International Edition

    Commentary: Partner hires - the revolving door starts spinning again

    With the first half of 2009 defined by widescale redundancies and partnership restructurings at some of the City's top names, the fallout has meant the trend post-summer is equally clear: lateral hiring - and lots of it. Barely a day goes by without claim or confirmation of another partner move; generally someone heading out of a top 10 City firm for somewhere smaller, although not exclusively - as Linklaters' hire of Herbert Smith litigation partner Christa Band demonstrates.

    1 minute read

  • September 23, 2009 | International Edition

    Renewable energy: Great light hope

    There are growth markets, there are long-term bets and then there is renewable energy. But however many false dawns alternative energy has had over the years, in the long run the business of green energy and nuclear power looks certain to ultimately establish itself as a huge, globally-significant industry.

    1 minute read

  • July 30, 2009 |

    Trio of firms hit rich seam on $488m bid for goldmining company

    A raft of firms including Norton Rose, Shearman & Sterling and Ashurst have lined up to advise on AngloGold Ashanti and Randgold Resources' joint $488m (£295m) bid for Moto Goldmines. The counterbid, which sees the two mining companies trying to beat Canada's Red Back Mining $466.8m ($282m) bid for Moto, would give AngloGold a 50% indirect interest in the company if Randgold's bid goes ahead.

    1 minute read

  • July 9, 2009 | International Edition

    Offshore: Under scrutiny

    Lend an offshore lawyer your ear for five minutes and they will give you a list of reasons why you should do your business through their jurisdiction. Give them 10 minutes and you have opened the floodgates for a tirade about how offshore communities are consistently targeted and attacked by their onshore counterparts, who are worried about loss of business and tax leakage.

    1 minute read

  • April 8, 2009 | International Edition

    Generation why?

    When it comes to law firm prestige there is no denying that the magic circle tag still works its, well, magic. And there are few other groups that buy into the brand power of these five firms more so than the student population.Given free choice to name five law firms they would rate highly, students consistently turned to the magic circle group, viewing them as offering the best career options, work-life balance, partnership prospects and training - not to mention prestige - of all law firms.

    1 minute read

  • April 2, 2009 | International Edition

    Norton Rose flexi-working gets 96% City backing

    Norton Rose has won almost 100% support for its flexible working scheme in London. The firm announced today that 96% of its London office have given their support to the plans, which will allow the firm to introduce a four-day working week or sabbatical programme for staff and lawyers. Voting closed earlier this week (31 March), with the firm agreeing to introduce the contingency plan only if it got the buy-in of at least 75% of staff. Partners had already given the plans - which can be used for partners, lawyers and support staff - their approval. The decision means the firm's management will spend April reviewing individual practice areas before making any decisions about when and where it will implement the scheme.

    1 minute read

  • April 2, 2009 |

    Norton Rose flexi-working gets 96% City backing

    Norton Rose has won almost 100% support for its flexible working scheme in London. The firm announced today that 96% of its London office have given their support to the plans, which will allow the firm to introduce a four-day working week or sabbatical programme for staff and lawyers. Voting closed earlier this week (31 March), with the firm agreeing to introduce the contingency plan only if it got the buy-in of at least 75% of staff. Partners had already given the plans - which can be used for partners, lawyers and support staff - their approval. The decision means the firm's management will spend April reviewing individual practice areas before making any decisions about when and where it will implement the scheme.

    1 minute read

  • March 25, 2009 | International Edition

    Commentary: Norton Rose radicalism is too much for most City partners

    Hearing some partners react to Norton Rose's plans to slice working hours before axing jobs, anyone would think the firm had proposed something radical rather than applying a tested route to surviving a recession without ruining your skills base. After all, four-day weeks have proved to be workable solutions to the recession for factories and even professional services firms like KPMG, but many City lawyers seem to believe it's a completely different story for law firms.

    1 minute read

  • March 25, 2009 |

    Commentary: Norton Rose radicalism is too much for most City partners

    Hearing some partners react to Norton Rose's plans to slice working hours before axing jobs, anyone would think the firm had proposed something radical rather than applying a tested route to surviving a recession without ruining your skills base. After all, four-day weeks have proved to be workable solutions to the recession for factories and even professional services firms like KPMG, but many City lawyers seem to believe it's a completely different story for law firms.

    1 minute read