• May 15, 2008 | International Edition

    Performance scrutinised as attrition rates fall

    City firms are set to take a tougher line on associate performance as they try to counteract falling staff turnover brought about by the uncertain economic climate. Partners are predicting falls in staff churn over the coming year with many typical destinations for associates - such as investment banks - freezing recruitment and associates more wary about moving.

    1 minute read

  • May 15, 2008 |

    Performance scrutinised as attrition rates fall

    City firms are set to take a tougher line on associate performance as they try to counteract falling staff turnover brought about by the uncertain economic climate. Partners are predicting falls in staff churn over the coming year with many typical destinations for associates - such as investment banks - freezing recruitment and associates more wary about moving.

    1 minute read

  • May 2, 2008 | International Edition

    Freshfields finalises Euro LLP conversion

    Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has converted to limited liability partnership (LLP) status, with effect from yesterday (1 May). The move means Slaughter and May is now the only magic circle firm choosing not to operate as an LLP.

    1 minute read

  • April 10, 2008 | International Edition

    Simmons and Reed Smith swoop in to land roles on Airbus finance panel

    Simmons & Simmons and Reed Smith have joined a raft of firms appointed to the new Airbus financing panel. Simmons, Reed Smith, Norton Rose, White & Case and Allen & Overy (A&O) have all been given places on the panel, which provides legal advice on issues relating to the financing of new Airbus aircraft.

    1 minute read

  • April 10, 2008 |

    Simmons and Reed Smith swoop in to land roles on Airbus finance panel

    Simmons & Simmons and Reed Smith have joined a raft of firms appointed to the new Airbus financing panel. Simmons, Reed Smith, Norton Rose, White & Case and Allen & Overy (A&O) have all been given places on the panel, which provides legal advice on issues relating to the financing of new Airbus aircraft.

    1 minute read

  • March 25, 2008 | International Edition

    Fulbright's Dechert hire fuels Islamic finance focus

    Fulbright & Jaworski has bagged Dechert partner Michael McMillen to lead its global Islamic finance practice. McMillen, whose practice focuses on Islamic finance, projects and structured finance work, has joined Fulbright as a partner to head up the group, which sits within the corporate practice.

    1 minute read

  • February 20, 2008 | International Edition

    Commentary: AIM lawyers taking a mature view of City's junior market

    "AIM? I'm bloody gasping. Bring on the next cycle," says one battered veteran. Quite. Capital markets lawyers have long passed the pretence of cautious optimism when it comes to the state of London's junior market. Yet such gloom has so far done nothing to shake advisers' long-term commitment to the Alternative Investment Market (AIM). No-one is denying, of course, that the exchange is much quieter than it was during the heady years of 2003-06, with just 12 AIM listings in January worth a paltry £27m. But even though the exchange began to slow long before 'sub' and 'prime' became common parlance, AIM has suffered no worse than other financing markets hit by the prolonged credit malaise - and a good deal better than some.

    1 minute read

  • February 20, 2008 |

    Commentary: AIM lawyers taking a mature view of City's junior market

    "AIM? I'm bloody gasping. Bring on the next cycle," says one battered veteran. Quite. Capital markets lawyers have long passed the pretence of cautious optimism when it comes to the state of London's junior market. Yet such gloom has so far done nothing to shake advisers' long-term commitment to the Alternative Investment Market (AIM). No-one is denying, of course, that the exchange is much quieter than it was during the heady years of 2003-06, with just 12 AIM listings in January worth a paltry £27m. But even though the exchange began to slow long before 'sub' and 'prime' became common parlance, AIM has suffered no worse than other financing markets hit by the prolonged credit malaise - and a good deal better than some.

    1 minute read

  • February 13, 2008 | International Edition

    A&O leads for new client on $1.5bn power plant sale in CIS

    Allen & Overy (A&O) has taken a lead role on the $1.5bn (£770m) acquisition of Kazakhstan's largest power producer, bagging a new client in the process.The deal saw A&O advising new client, copper producer Kazakhmys, on its acquisition of Ekibastuz power plant and Maikuben West coal mine in Kazakhstan for up to $1.5bn. The magic circle law firm, which won the client after taking part in a competitive pitching process last year, fielded a team under corporate partner Keith McGuire and projects partner Nigel Pritchard. A&O acted alongside Salans' Almaty office, which advised on local law.

    1 minute read

  • February 6, 2008 | International Edition

    Norton Rose and DLA Piper outstrip competition in AIM client rankings

    Norton Rose and DLA Piper continue to boast the broadest base of clients listed on London's Alternative Investment Market (AIM), with the duo topping new quarterly client rankings released this week.Norton Rose maintained its position of advising more AIM-listed clients than its UK rivals, with the top 10 City firm holding a client base of 65 businesses, according to Hemscott statistics.The figures - which are taken from deals during the period from the beginning of October to the beginning of January - rank DLA Piper in second place, closing the gap on Norton Rose by gaining four clients over the quarter to bring the firm to 59 in total.

    1 minute read