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  • July 12, 2012 |

    Legal Week research highlights private school dominance at top firms

    Linklaters has the highest percentage of privately educated lawyers among the UK top 20 law firms by revenue, according to a major research project by Legal Week.

    1 minute read

  • July 10, 2012 |

    Trio post retention rates as Wragges trainees turn down £5k deferral offer

    Slaughter and May, Ashurst and SNR Denton have all posted healthy September trainee retention rates, with Slaughters set to keep on 91% of its newly-qualified (NQ) lawyers. Forty-two of Slaughter's 46 qualified trainees have been offered places at the firm, with the 91% figure marginally up on the firm's March intake this year, when 90% were kept on at the magic circle firm. A further two trainees resigned from the firm before the qualification process began.

    1 minute read

  • July 6, 2012 |

    Norton Rose leads on £400m Malaysian buyout of Battersea Power Station

    Norton Rose and Linklaters have taken the lead roles on the £400m acquisition of London's landmark Battersea Power Station by a Malaysian consortium. The deal, which was confirmed this week, has seen Malaysian property developer SP Setia and Malaysian conglomerate Sime Darby join forces to emerge as the successful bidder ahead of rivals including Chelsea Football Club.

    1 minute read

  • July 5, 2012 |

    Partners say City firms are out of the dark ages on flexi-working

    The overwhelming majority of partners believe law firms must allow both partners and associates to work flexibly, despite acknowledging the difficulties it can cause in terms of career progression. Legal Week's latest Big Question survey found almost half of the 140 respondents said it was essential for firms to offer flexible working opportunities to partners and associates, with a further 36% believing it to be 'very important' for partners, rising to 37% for associates.

    1 minute read

  • July 5, 2012 |

    Herbert Smith moves to reinvent itself for new global elite with full Freehills union

    One response to the news that City thoroughbred Herbert Smith has at last sealed a major international merger sums up the mood. "The most poignant thing is what it means for the culture of Herbert Smith. This is a firm where all hell broke loose over the decision to drop '& Co' from its name," says one ex-partner, referring to a debate that ruffled feathers back in the innocent days of 1986.

    1 minute read

  • July 5, 2012 |

    Ashurst adds partner to London restructuring team with CMS hire

    Ashurst has strengthened its London restructuring practice with the hire of CMS Cameron McKenna partner Martin Brown. Brown, who was made up to partner in Camerons' London banking and international finance team in 2008, specialises in corporate restructuring and insolvency proceedings. His clients include banks, hedge funds, insolvency practitioners and directors.

    1 minute read

  • July 4, 2012 |

    Ashurst confirms 3% partner profits increase to £744,000

    Ashurst has confirmed its profits per equity partner (PEP) figure for 2011-12, with the firm posting a 3% increase to reach £744,000. The PEP figure, which was announced today (4 July), comes on the back of a 5% rise in net profit, which stood at £112m for the most recent financial year. The firm posted an equivalent figure of £107m for 2010-11.

    1 minute read

  • June 28, 2012 |

    Bain Capital credit arm set to assemble European adviser panel

    Bain Capital's credit affiliate Sankaty Advisors is set to create an informal panel of law firms in Europe, with Kirkland & Ellis (pictured), Ropes & Gray and Ashurst among those hoping to benefit from the move.

    1 minute read

  • June 28, 2012 |

    UK trio advise as Hong Kong billionaire invests £500m in Greenwich Peninsula

    LG and Norton Rose have advised on the £131m refinancing of London's iconic Lloyd's building after it was awarded English Heritage Grade 1 listed status last year.

    1 minute read

  • June 28, 2012 |

    Herbert Smith Freehills to go live as partners vote through merger

    Herbert Smith and Australia's Freehills are set to merge on 1 October after partners at both firms voted in favour of a union under the banner Herbert Smith Freehills. Voting on the tie-up closed this morning (28 June), with the firms now planning a full financial merger from the autumn.

    1 minute read