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  • July 16, 2009 |

    From Slaughters to critically acclaimed author

    Ex-Slaughter and May solicitor Jennie Rooney on how she wrote her first novel, 'Inside the Whale', during her training contract...

    1 minute read

  • July 16, 2009 |

    BLP and Macfarlanes suffer 30%-plus partner profits dips

    Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) and Macfarlanes both saw profits per equity partner (PEP) drop by more than 30% during the last financial year. BLP's PEP fell by 33% during 2008-09, after the firm spent £10m opening new offices and bringing in senior laterals. The drop takes PEP down to £414,000 from £620,000, while turnover fell by 2.7% to £180m from £186m. Net profit at the firm fell by 23% to £57m.

    1 minute read

  • July 16, 2009 |

    From Slaughters to critically acclaimed author

    Ex-Slaughter and May solicitor Jennie Rooney on how she wrote her first novel, 'Inside the Whale', during her training contract. Lots of people talk about doing things, but never actually do them, says Rooney. There's plenty of that at a law firm...

    1 minute read

  • July 16, 2009 |

    Freshfields quits GE panel by 'mutual agreement'

    Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has come off General Electric's (GE) European M&A panel, Legal Week has learnt. The magic circle firm was one of five firms appointed in 2007 to advise the energy giant on European M&A matters. However, it came off the panel late last year through mutual agreement.

    1 minute read

  • July 16, 2009 |

    Slaughters gets top marks from associates over bonus

    Slaughter and May has emerged as the firm with the most satisfied associates when it comes to salaries and bonuses, according to Legal Week research. Slaughters associates have put the firm at the top of a table grading firms on their combined remuneration packages, marginally ahead of CMS Cameron McKenna.

    1 minute read

  • July 15, 2009 |

    The life of O'Brien

    Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer veteran dealmaker Barry O'Brien does a good line in 1980s war stories. All-nighters rounded off by pints of Guinness at Smithfield market pubs feature heavily. As do hostile takeover bids, many of them initiated by highly personal full-page newspaper ads

    1 minute read

  • July 15, 2009 |

    Linklaters to retain 75% of September qualifiers

    Linklaters is holding onto 50 of its 66 trainees due to qualify in September, giving it a retention rate of 75%. Of the 66 qualifying three resigned before the process started, which would give the magic circle firm a retention rate of 79% when based only on those applying for jobs.

    1 minute read

  • July 14, 2009 |

    Nationwide completes first UK legal panel

    Nationwide Building Society has completed its first ever UK panel, with five firms making the grade. Allen & Overy (A&O) is the only magic circle firm to have been appointed to the roster, joining Eversheds, Burges Salmon, Olswang and Nabarro on the panel.

    1 minute read

  • July 14, 2009 |

    Links and Slaughters in on Resolution merger bid

    Linklaters and Slaughter and May have landed key roles advising on potential merger talks between insurers Friends Provident and Resolution. Linklaters has stepped in to advise long-standing client Friends Provident on the talks, with corporate partner Owen Clay taking the lead role for the firm.

    1 minute read

  • July 9, 2009 |

    Confidence edges up as firms bank on Asia

    Business confidence at City law firms has edged up, driven by hopes of a swift recovery in Asia, with more than a third of partners now expecting revenue growth over the next 12 months. The latest Legal Week business confidence survey found 42% of responding partners were expecting increases in fee income at their own firm over the next year, including 18% who were expecting fee income growth of more than 5%.

    1 minute read