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  • January 23, 2008 |

    Slaughters reviews governance as Saul prepares to take control

    For a firm that sets great stall in maintaining the status quo, it is interesting to note that Slaughter and May has a body called the constitutional working party (CWP). The little-known group has been in action again recently, reviewing Slaughters' governance to coincide with this month's election of new senior partner Chris Saul. The process is the first review of its management since outgoing senior partner Tim Clark took up the role seven years ago. By the yardstick of most corporatised global law firms, the results of the review may seem minor but, by Slaughters' standards, the process has been substantial, examining its core leadership, practice management and the working of its 'best friends' alliance of international firms.

    1 minute read

  • January 23, 2008 |

    Editor's Comment: Trying harder

    Slaughter and May's incoming senior partner, Chris Saul, is to take the helm at interesting times. Facing a globalising legal services market, for seven years under Tim Clark the firm's response has been basically to buff up its best friends network and hope for the best. Given the quality of firms involved and the efforts made, this has had some success. But for all protestations to the contrary, this model, which Saul is set to continue, is only now facing up to the reality of competing against the maturing global law firms. A related trend is the growing emergence of the big four as a replacement for the magic circle. The latter term has been a brand that has served its members very well but, despite valiant efforts from Ashurst and Herbert Smith, a successor grouping looks more likely to shrink than admit new members.

    1 minute read

  • January 23, 2008 | International Edition

    One year on: lawyers remain unconvinced of SRA potency

    After 12 months of operation, senior transactional lawyers still feel detached from the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) despite risk and compliance heads' assertion that the body has been giving City firms more attention. Next week (29 January) will mark the one-year anniversary of the Law Society's separation of its representative and regulatory arms, a move that created the SRA. Since then, City firm general counsel and compliance heads say the organisation has been more in touch with the profession.

    1 minute read

  • January 23, 2008 |

    One year on: lawyers remain unconvinced of SRA potency

    After 12 months of operation, senior transactional lawyers still feel detached from the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) despite risk and compliance heads' assertion that the body has been giving City firms more attention. Next week (29 January) will mark the one-year anniversary of the Law Society's separation of its representative and regulatory arms, a move that created the SRA. Since then, City firm general counsel and compliance heads say the organisation has been more in touch with the profession.

    1 minute read

  • January 23, 2008 |

    Bredin Prat makes up two to partnership

    France's Bredin Prat has promoted two associates to its partnership as well as naming two new counsel in Paris. Olivier Rogivue, formerly an associate in the London and Paris offices of Slaughter and May, and Olivier Saba, a former Shearman & Sterling lawyer, joined the partnership in the corporate department on 1 January. Raed Fathallah and Kate Romain have become counsel.

    1 minute read

  • January 23, 2008 |

    Hammonds lands major role opposite Olswang on £148m social housing business takeover

    National firm Hammonds has bagged a lead role opposite Olswang on construction company Willmott Dixon's move to buy back its former social housing arm, Inspace, in a £148m takeover.

    1 minute read

  • January 23, 2008 |

    Beachcroft goes international on £350m steel deal

    Beachcroft's corporate team has scored a key European transaction, advising Ukrainian steel group Metinvest on its £350m acquisition of steel factories in the UK and Italy.

    1 minute read

  • January 17, 2008 |

    Slaughters names Saul as new senior partner

    Slaughter and May is overhauling its senior management, with senior partner Tim Clark standing down to be replaced by head of corporate Chris Saul. The 52-year-old Saul will take the role from 1 May, when Clark retires. An election to decide his successor as corporate head will take place later in the year. Saul will shadow Clark in his responsibilities until he officially takes on the role.

    1 minute read

  • January 17, 2008 | International Edition

    UK trainees avoid crunch fallout as top firms' retention soars above 90%

    Trainee retention rates across the UK's elite legal profession have remained steadfast, with many firms keeping hold of more than 90% of their intake despite a sharp dip in City lawyers' overall business confidence. Eighteen out of 25 of the UK's top firms are holding on to more than 90% of their March class of qualifying lawyers, including six firms with a 100% retention rate.

    1 minute read

  • January 17, 2008 |

    UK trainees avoid crunch fallout as top firms' retention soars above 90%

    Trainee retention rates across the UK's elite legal profession have remained steadfast, with many firms keeping hold of more than 90% of their intake despite a sharp dip in City lawyers' overall business confidence. Eighteen out of 25 of the UK's top firms are holding on to more than 90% of their March class of qualifying lawyers, including six firms with a 100% retention rate.

    1 minute read