tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28138025900825450952011-09-16T19:39:21.448-07:00Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comBlogger1131100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-32636185751312054382010-11-03T08:49:00.000-07:002010-11-03T08:50:15.986-07:00

White & Case London head Oliver Brettle recently replaced New York partner Dimitrios Drivas on the firm’s executive committee.He will join Turkish partner Asli Basgoz and New York partner Anthony Kahn on the committee that works under firmwide chairman Hugh Verrier.ALB

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-9460688766884634032010-11-03T08:48:00.000-07:002010-11-03T08:49:38.655-07:00

Kirkland & Ellis finally followed suit and joined the list of US firms to make mass redundancies.The firm laid off more than 20 associates in New York in September, following its annual performance review period, citing the turbulent economic climate as the cause.Kirkland had roughly 335 lawyers in the New York office prior to the cuts being made.ALB

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-13857367586167936882010-11-03T08:47:00.000-07:002010-11-03T08:48:53.749-07:00

Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom recently decided to reduce the size of its summer associate intake for 2010, following a delay in the start dates of its 2009 group.The firm advised US law schools it would only be recruiting around 100 associates for its intake as a result of the dismal economic climate. It later informed successful candidates that their start dates would be deferred until 2011.

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-90714586164700497832010-11-03T08:46:00.000-07:002010-11-03T08:47:41.518-07:00

White & Case recently assisted the Kazakhstan government on the creation of new restructuring laws in the country, following the US firm winning a role advising UBS on the restructuring of Kazakhstan’s BTA Bank earlier this year.The firm also advised Goldman Sachs on the restructuring of Kazakhstan financial institution Alliance Bank. London-based European capital markets co-head Francis

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-40222677902660699292010-11-03T08:44:00.000-07:002010-11-03T08:46:43.497-07:00

Dewey & LeBoeuf’s corporate group recently secured two high-profile M&A mandates. Dewey M&A head Mort Pierce advised Disney on its US$4bn acquisition of Marvel Entertainment; and Richard Climan and Keith Flaum led a team advising eBay on the US$1.9bn sale of Skype.The firm won a role in both deals as the result of longstanding relationships, highlighting why Dewey has been among the more

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-76716463058078659492010-11-03T08:43:00.002-07:002010-11-03T08:44:27.288-07:00

The Hemscott rankings of legal advisers to FTSE 100 companies has revealed Linklaters and Slaughter and May as the firms currently advising the highest number – 25 – of the UK’s biggest companies.The rest of the top five is rounded out by Herbert Smith (which saw its FTSE 100 client count drop one from 19 to 18, as it is no longer listed as an adviser to Friends Provident), Allen & Overy (A&O)

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-12097164767793723912010-11-03T08:43:00.001-07:002010-11-03T08:43:46.776-07:00

Clifford Chance will soon embark on a series of senior leadership elections. David Childs is expected to stand for re-election as the firm’s managing partner. If he is successful, his second four-year term at the firm’s helm would begin in May 2010.Other management positions soon to be up for grabs include London managing partner, general counsel and practice head roles for real estate and tax,

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-12445117580090058022010-11-03T08:42:00.000-07:002010-11-03T08:43:02.043-07:00

Herbert Smith has switched its former ‘make a difference’ initiative for partner appraisals to more formal assessments on their performance, in a bid to place more emphasis on the firm’s international ambition.The new system will include formal feedback from partners in international offices for the first time and assessments on matters such as cross-selling between offices. Partners will also be

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-64330609921085194872010-11-03T08:41:00.000-07:002010-11-03T08:42:16.550-07:00

Lovells recently formed a co-operation agreement with Paris-based insolvency boutique Kuntz & Associés which will allow the two firms (who have a history of working together) to form a closer bond without entering into a full-scale alliance.The arrangement will also grant Kuntz access to Lovells’ full-service French practice and will permit Lovells to utilise Kuntz’s specialist insolvency

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-26542771337731055242010-11-03T08:39:00.000-07:002010-11-03T08:41:10.191-07:00

If Clifford Chance and Simmons & Simmons are anything to go by, new partner promotions across the United Kingdom’s top 50 law firms have decreased somewhat, with 399 promotions made in 2009, compared with 598 in 2008. As a group, Magic Circle firms also experienced a drop across the board, with promotions falling 41% from 120 to 71.Female partner promotions across the top 50 firms have also

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-40919559895047284162010-11-03T08:37:00.000-07:002010-11-03T08:39:47.569-07:00

An increasing number of law firms are reaping good returns from the thriving business relationship developing between China and Australia.China Everbright Limited (CEL) has ventured Down Under, building two funds with Australia’s Macquarie Bank to leverage China’s infrastructure opportunities. Mallesons and CEL’s ongoing legal advisor, Paul Hastings, both have a hand in the joint

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-45882657573206239052010-11-03T08:36:00.000-07:002010-11-03T08:37:49.809-07:00

Herbert Smith has transferred London partner Stuart Paterson to the Dubai office to strengthen the firm’s litigation and arbitration practice, as the number of construction-related disputes surge in the region.Paterson will work alongside Dubaibased dispute resolution partner, Craig Shepherd, on commercial and banking litigation, ADR and risk management.While the law firm had always planned to

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-27863481453775008802010-07-22T05:03:00.000-07:002010-07-22T05:05:30.729-07:00

The United Kingdom says it welcomes more Indian law firms to its legal industry.As part of broader lobbying efforts towards the liberalisation of the Indian legal market, the British Minister of Justice, Lord Bach, met with Veerappa Moily, the Indian Minister for Law and Justice, in August. As part of the visit, Bach also met with local lawyers in a forum to explain that Indian law firms are

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-51560026097255863222010-07-22T05:01:00.000-07:002010-07-22T05:06:28.109-07:00

Four Rio Tinto employees who stand accused by the government of bribery and industrial espionage have been granted legal representation. While the four will have individual lawyers they will all be tried collectively, and they have all chosen renowned PRC lawyers.Australian citizen Stern Hu, general manager of the Rio Tinto sales team in Shanghai, is represented by Charles Duan, the managing

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-86881206819736781142010-07-22T04:56:00.000-07:002010-07-22T05:01:22.263-07:00

Australia’s stock exchange can be an attractive place to list – as three Chinese companies have recently discovered.“There is every reason why Australia should be a regional financial hub, continuing to engage with greater vigour in the global marketplace,” said Senator Nick Sherry, the Australian Minister for Superannuation and Corporate Law, last year. The Australian Securities Exchange hoped

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-61644312191775399532010-07-03T09:27:00.002-07:002010-07-03T09:29:34.084-07:00

A number of companies have raised capital through an IPO or private placement, while some have completed M&A deals. Another Chinese-based clean-energy company, Amber Energy, recently completed its public offering and share placement in Hong Kong. The IPO was hugely oversubscribed, being the fourth-most oversubscribed offering in the history of the HKSE.“The success of this IPO is another stride

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-5150506493193553282010-07-03T09:27:00.001-07:002010-07-03T09:27:55.310-07:00

Driven by government policies to tackle climate change, the green technology industry is burgeoning, attracting billions of dollars of investments. Law firms have been increasingly busy with projects and transactions in this sector.They have become part of a driving force in making the green energy revolution happen. Over the past 18 months, a majority of the leading transactional firms have

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-38541524013097776042010-07-03T09:16:00.000-07:002010-07-03T09:27:11.617-07:00

Pioneering the way to a low-carbon economy, environmental lawyers and climate-change practices are the latest “must have” for any future-facing, self-respecting modern law firm.In a world that has never been more aware of climate change, law firms are taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint and minimise environmental impacts, as part of their corporate social responsibility initiatives.“

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-64822555726847473642010-06-21T17:58:00.000-07:002010-06-21T18:00:25.175-07:00

The concept of a Shariah-compliant law firm is still in its infancy. Agha & Shamsi is filling a gap in the market, and for law firms around the world struggling with competitors popping up around them, it’s clear that the firm has been able to distinguish itself.“I was very interested in setting up a law firm with an express ethical mandate, which serves the law ... and a higher spiritual purpose

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-55251505919212836742010-06-21T17:56:00.000-07:002010-06-21T17:58:23.353-07:00

Having spearheaded DLA Piper’s global Islamic finance practice and its Saudi office, Agha left that firm in October 2008 [with colleague Peter Hodgins, following management differences within the Saudi office] with a view to establishing his firm alongside noted Emirati figurehead Dr Saeed Mohammed Al-Shamsi. In only a few months the firm secured an affiliation with Pillsbury Winthrop, putting to

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-74066662602173165882010-06-21T17:54:00.000-07:002010-06-21T17:56:21.000-07:00

The law firm’s business model is unique, and to some it would seem to limit the firm’s chances of corporate success. By Shariah law, it cannot invest in funds linked to – or that bear – interest. It also maintains a Shariah board of scholars who provide rulings on the firm’s constitution, structure, deals and transactions, not unlike a corporate board, but un-secular.Where most other firms are

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-77528102918560662542010-06-21T17:51:00.000-07:002010-06-21T17:54:05.207-07:00

Meet the man behind the world’s first Shariah-compliant law firm who thinks this is the start of a new business model.Moving from a high-profile position as the global head of DLA Piper’s Islamic finance practice, Oliver Agha went it alone earlier this year to launch the world’s first Shariah-compliant law firm in the UAE, Agha & Shamsi, a move which stunned and intrigued many in the legal

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-86502223799942400272010-06-21T17:49:00.000-07:002010-06-21T17:51:47.233-07:00

The misperception of in-house lawyers and their legal teams as ‘business prevention units’, as one business leader refered to them earlier this year, must now surely have been corrected. A look at this issue’s ALB/Jun He Inhouse Top 25, a snapshot of the region’s most dynamic corporate counsel, provides ample proof that the role successful in-house lawyers play today is as commercial as it is

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-23912070678989182912010-06-14T21:16:00.000-07:002010-06-16T16:11:40.561-07:00

Different types of lawyers and non-lawyers will now be able to jointly own legal firms, thanks to the introduction of Legal Disciplinary Practices (LDPs) in the UK – an effort by The Solicitors Regulation Authority to encourage more effective competition and increase access to justice.The introduction of LDPs will allow law firms to be owned by different types of lawyers and a proportion of

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-29781944356826215342010-06-14T21:15:00.000-07:002010-06-14T21:16:20.345-07:00

Graduates of Weil Gotshal & Manges hoping to tour the Big Apple this year are set to be disappointed after the US firm confirmed recently that they will be scrapping their New York vacation scheme in light of the economic crisis.The firm – whose New York vacation scheme was launched just one year ago – joins a string of firms, including Norton Rose and Field Fisher Waterhouse, who have recently

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-52538669829484134642010-06-14T21:14:00.000-07:002010-06-14T21:15:25.202-07:00

Australian firm Blake Dawson, recently discovered that its Wikipedia page had been hijacked by an unknown contributor, liberally disclosing details of the firm’s alleged job and cost cuts on the online encyclopedia.The additional information to the reader-written webpage included information on alleged staff cuts to come, mentioned Allens Arthur Robinson and Freehills and even disclosed salary

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-78298888755442587352010-06-14T21:11:00.000-07:002010-06-14T21:14:06.917-07:00

Speeding kills – as many Australian billboards tell you – and it turns out it can also mangle your career.It was believed that Marcus Einfeld, the former Australian Federal Court judge who was recently jailed for a minimum of two years for lying on statements to avoid a speeding fine, would agree to the NSW Bar Association declaring him not a fit and proper person to remain on the roll of legal

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-20024383808304223492010-06-14T21:01:00.000-07:002010-06-14T21:11:37.213-07:00

Is one of the legal industry’s biggest names about to get even bigger? Chief executive partner Robert Milliner gives insight on the road ahead for Mallesons Stephen Jaques."Mallesons chief names Bhutan in three-year forward strategy.” It would make a great headline – despite being nothing to do with the firm. Robert Milliner is a trekking enthusiast and has his trips planned for the next three

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-61784208204469604902010-06-10T19:02:00.000-07:002010-06-10T19:03:41.266-07:00

Exorbitant rent is one thing, but there are a number of other factors that anyone thinking of moving has to take into account. The largely work-in-progress road infrastructure often results in long hours stuck in traffic and those with children may also want to pay attention to the long waiting lists for international schools, as well as the high fees. “The community here is a large expatriate

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-67889661834866070392010-06-10T19:01:00.000-07:002010-06-10T19:02:35.740-07:00

According to Abernethy, one of the biggest selling points that firms use to attract lawyers is tax-free income. UK firms generally pay salaries that are equivalent to the UK rate, which for an associate would amount to a significant increase in their after-tax income.According to Hays’ Guide to Salaries, most lawyers with at least seven to eight years’ experience can expect a monthly net salary

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-47229774130858349082010-06-10T19:00:00.000-07:002010-06-10T19:01:30.131-07:00

The London and New York markets are currently “very quiet” for pure M&A, corporate and PE work, says Abernethy. Meanwhile, the UAE has not been so hard-hit by the economic slump and more large foreign firms have realised this and begun opening new offices. This year alone has seen DLA Piper and Gide Loyrette expand their practises in the Gulf with the addition of new offices, and Jones Day and

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-32630531891592405812010-06-10T18:58:00.000-07:002010-06-10T19:00:16.916-07:00

The heat in the UAE may be off-putting, but lawyers are increasingly finding its business climate highly appealing. ALB discovers what practitioners can expect if they make the dash to the desert.When Herbert Smith senior associate Jessie McDonald decided to move to Dubai two years ago, her intention was simply to join her husband who was stationed there and to stay in practice. But since

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-28340994686407315142010-06-10T18:53:00.000-07:002010-06-10T18:58:04.113-07:00

Whilst the current global economic downturn has affected real estate, infrastructure and construction in Asia, their importance has not diminished as these continue to represent pillars of growth in Asia. The Urban Land Institute and PricewaterhouseCoopers recently placed Singapore among the top five Asia Pacific cities for property investment in its 2009 regional report of Emerging Trends in

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-70464439741270326232010-06-07T17:00:00.001-07:002010-06-09T21:24:38.250-07:00

Unsurprisingly, disputes and arbitration work is on the increase. “There is an increase in tensions between joint venture partners and parties to contracts,” Harris says. “There’s a lot more instances of parties trying to get out of contracts or taking a harder line as a result of the current economic situation.”Needless to say, prevention is the best cure for disputes and Brells says it is

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-13611443525423093522010-06-07T16:59:00.001-07:002010-06-09T21:25:11.572-07:00

While buyers of infrastructure assets have been cautious of late, Harris says there is still a significant potential deal flow in infrastructure M&A. “In the first half of this year, buyers seem to be taking time to identify good assets and acquisition activity will likely pick up in the second half of the year,” he says, adding that China and possibly Japan are likely to be the source countries

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-31814875122279647802010-06-07T16:58:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:25:15.579-07:00

Harris states that the finance aspect of infrastructure projects has changed: “There is a significant liquidity problem. A lot of the project finance banks have had to be bailed out by governments and have their own issues,” he says. “Also, the Royal Bank of Scotland, which was involved in quite a few Asia projects, has announced that it’s closing its project finance business.”The result, Harris

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-6884993928418880182010-06-07T16:57:00.002-07:002010-06-09T21:25:22.996-07:00

Singapore and Hong Kong are naturally better placed than their developing regional neighbours to secure funding for projects. However, Hong Kong has lagged somewhat behind Singapore. “There has been talk of projects such as hospitals, prisons, new bridges, but these have been slow to get started,” Harris says.It is a shortcoming with which the Hong Kong government seems to have come to terms. “In

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-16858709011046597622010-06-07T16:57:00.001-07:002010-06-09T21:25:29.103-07:00

The Singapore government put a PPP program in place in 2004 and has since been successful in getting a number of projects off the ground.“In Singapore, the public sector construction demand is expected to increase to between S$17bn and S$19bn this year with projects slated to proceed this year such as the MRT [railway] projects, including the Downtown Line, the North-South Line Extension and

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-13024123274341407052010-06-07T16:50:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:25:33.417-07:00

Infrastructure has long been touted as the cure-all sector that will spark a new period of prosperity for law firms. But are expectations now running too high?A familiar refrain is reverberating in legal practices throughout Asia. It goes something like this: yes, the economy is in recession; yes, there may be worse to come; but help is at hand in the form of government stimulus packages.

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-1738248197990603972010-06-03T19:25:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:25:41.771-07:00

The observation that foreign firms appear to have not been as successful in Japan as they have in other liberalised legal markets across the region appears to be borne out by the unusually high number of FLFs that have abandoned their offices in Tokyo, either due to economic hardship or to take up the opportunities on offer in the boom Chinese market. However, according to many lawyers at FLFs,

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-73719948783944389622010-06-03T19:23:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:25:47.507-07:00

The need for foreign lawyers employed by international law firms operating in Japan to have three years international experience under their belts prior to being registered to practice in the country is simply a “drag on foreign law firms” according to lawyers ALB spoke to.When foreign law offices were first allowed to set up shop in Japan some 22 years ago the requirement was set at five years’

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-41362719873687281362010-06-03T19:21:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:25:52.909-07:00

Notwithstanding debates regarding the business models of international firms, referral agreements and increased competition, the consensus is that DLFs still dominate the legal sector in Japan. A glance at the empirical evidence seems to support such a view. After 22 years it is DLFs who are the largest, who have the greatest pulling power for domestic clients and local graduates and, arguably,

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-49583275214899920002010-06-03T19:18:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:25:57.803-07:00

Ever since Japan opened its legal market to FLFs in 1987, relations between the domestic and international counterparts have been firmly based on cooperation. Rather than competing for each other’s market share, a clear division has existed between what belonged to each. FLFs advised on international law and their international clients on entering the Japanese market, while DLFs advised domestic

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-28254481200921036322010-06-03T19:16:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:26:03.488-07:00

Akai Izumi, co-head of Sullivan & Cromwell’s Japan practice and the winner of the International Dealmaker of the Year award at the ALB Japan Law Awards 2008, has seen the legal market come full circle since foreign lawyers were allowed to enter the market some 22 years ago.“The legal market has progressed from being a small community with a comparatively small number of lawyers and low demand for

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-16045964397130279912010-06-03T19:14:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:26:08.157-07:00

Prior to the 16-year-long slump of the Japanese economy that began in 1990, there was little call for the involvement of law firms in the business transactions of Japanese companies. With government bureaucrats heavily involved in economic development and business decision-making, and little in the way of litigation, lawyers were, according to Toru Ishiguro of Mori Hamada & Matsumoto, an “

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-16324750234151454842010-06-03T19:10:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:26:14.040-07:00

As this edition of ALB went to print, the 22nd anniversary of the enactment into law of the Special Measure Law Concerning the Handling of Legal Business by Foreign Lawyers (the law) passed without ceremony or fanfare. Proof that for many in the Japanese legal fraternity, liberalisation is an ongoing process – evidence that there is still plenty more to achieve despite an impressive

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-27177459937173047072010-05-29T17:29:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:26:34.243-07:00

Nevertheless, external lawyers should not be surprised if an invoice is returned to them marked with a ‘please explain’. “What irritates me the most is when I get an e-mail from a law firm and about 60 other lawyers at that firm are cc’d in. You can bet that the other 59 lawyers will charge for receiving, opening and reading the email. When I get a bill like this I send it back straight away.

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-83807022607556843212010-05-29T17:26:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:26:38.761-07:00

Good news for law firms, perhaps. But as always, a review of the relationships between in-house departments and external counsel is a process likely to dredge up ageold issues. These issues, according to many of the region’s top in-house lawyers, are yet to be to satisfactorily addressed by law firms, with legal fees (or, more accurately, billing practices) top of the agenda.Failure to be clear

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-45536791559690934832010-05-29T17:24:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:26:42.962-07:00

“What irritates me most is when I get an e-mail from a law firm and about 60 other lawyers are cc’d in. You can bet the other 59 lawyers will charge for receiving, opening and reading the e-mail. When I get a bill like this, I send it back straight away”US-based investment bank regional general counselThe extent to which these issues are wholly new is a different question. In-house lawyers across

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-55656679301552932072010-05-29T17:21:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:26:47.471-07:00

“Some of them have problems with the basics. I don’t want my external counsel to just play lawyers. I give them work and I get the impression they give me advice with one eye on their cost agreement”Peter Elliot, Fitness FirstBut it is not only the flow of work that has increased. The types of matters that in-house lawyers are handling has also become increasingly diverse.“The flavour of work has

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-61879324655483720672010-05-29T17:16:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:26:52.310-07:00

For law firms, there is nothing more frightening than the prospect of in-house legal teams scaling back the amount of work they outsource. Due to the financial crisis everyone is now getting edgy…The press has had something of field day reporting on the woes of private-practice lawyers over the past year or so. From layoffs to salary freezes, law firm collapses to more ridiculous measures such as

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-11359860021573439672010-05-29T17:13:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:26:57.751-07:00

Judged by a panel of leading in-house counsel, ALB presents the best Indian deals of the past year.At first glance, one could be forgiven for asserting that things came together nicely for India in 2008. In the first half of the year there was the continuation of a four-year bull run that yielded stock market returns of more than 40%, a strong rupee, readily available and easily accessible credit

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-13099437046604734732010-05-25T17:05:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:27:02.497-07:00

SBV to issue the detailed guidelines on implementation of the pm’s interest rate support policy.On 03 February 2009, the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) has issued Circular No. 02/2009/TT-NHNN (Circular 02) providing the detailed implementation of the interest rate support to individuals and enterprises borrowing loans from banks for trading and manufacturing purposes as provided for under Decision

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-30801254617925587742010-05-25T17:02:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:27:06.954-07:00

Warehouse Receipt as Alternative Trade Structured Financing.In order to facilitate smoothness of production and distribution of goods, it is necessary to have warehouse receipt system as one of financing instrument. Considering these, Law No. 9/2006 regarding Warehouse Receipt System (or WR Law) was promulgated on 14 July 2006 and followed with promulgation of Government Regulation No. 36/2007 as

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-231968717265993062010-05-25T17:00:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:27:11.189-07:00

New Securities Listing Rules To Heighten Market Efficiency.In July 2008, Singapore Exchange Limited (“SGX”) invited public comment on its proposed changes to securities listing rules. The proposed new rules, inter alia, introducing the listings of Life Science Companies (“LSC”) with no financial track record and revision of IPO distribution requirements, will allow for more alternatives that will

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-9752852975729823632010-05-25T16:58:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:27:15.896-07:00

Stimulating Fund RaisingThe Government recently announced an economic stimulus package to help Malaysia weather the current global economic crisis. Taking cognisance that more than half of the major world economies are in recession and experiencing possibly the worst crisis in 70 years, the Government unveiled a mini budget of RM60 billion, which accounts for almost 9% of Malaysia’s Gross

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-13303329749996199182010-05-25T16:56:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:27:25.496-07:00

Formulating a National Environmentally Sustainable Transport Program for the Philippines.In an effort to further strengthen the policy on climate change, President Arroyo signed Administrative Order No. 254 on January 30, 2009. AO No. 254 was issued to supplement Executive Order No. 774 dated December 26, 2008. The latter reorganized the Philippine Task Force on Climate Change and mandated the

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-19024123367926392972010-05-25T16:53:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:27:31.447-07:00

Amended Telecoms Permit Regulations Reduce Market Entry Requirements but Increase Responsibilities for Basic Telecommunications Services Operators.On March 1, 2009, China’s Ministry of Information and Industry Technology (“MIIT”) issued the amended Measures on the Administration of Telecommunications Business Operating Permits (the “Amended Measures”). The Amended Measures entered into effect on

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-51236135002840362692010-05-22T10:41:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:27:48.106-07:00

DLA Piper has recruited former Allen & Overy project finance and Islamic finance expert Shehzaad Sacranie as a partner in the firm’s Abu Dhabi office.The move is a welcome enhancement of the Islamic finance practice following the departure of former global Islamic finance head Oliver Agha last year.It is the third addition to Abu Dhabi in recent times, following the moves of technology and

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-216196308469837692010-05-22T10:40:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:27:51.333-07:00

Korea-based Bae, Kim & Lee says that a rush of work has been flooding into the firm since February, and has made a number of appointments to meet its needs in its litigation, international arbitration and white collar crime practices.Three former judges – Ki Dong Joo, Jun Mo Kim and Hyun Chul Koh – have joined the firm, as have former Jisung Horizon M&A lawyer Byoung Ki Lee, and magna cum laude

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-76430967915942210362010-05-22T10:39:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:27:55.285-07:00

Former Linklaters lawyer Jim Callaghan has been appointed general counsel of airline Etihad.Before joining Etihad, Callaghan specialised in European and competition law while based in Linklaters’ Brussels office and later moved to European budget airline, Ryanair as director of legal affairs in 2000. He has also worked with US firms Balzarini Carey & Watson and Buchanan Ingersoll &

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-61841001462849124752010-05-22T10:38:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:27:58.948-07:00

Offshore law firm Walkers has transferred senior funds lawyer Laura Rogers from Hong Kong to the Singapore office in anticipation of an increase in legal work in the corporate restructuring and funds practices.Singapore managing partner Ashley Gunning said the firm expects a rise in funds work in line with other Walkers offices. “Our offices in the Cayman Islands and more recently Hong Kong have

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-66189056810472973162010-05-22T10:09:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:28:02.913-07:00

Blake Dawson has achieved a significant coup with the appointment of well-connected lawyer Greg Terry, who will be based in the firm's Indonesia office. Terry joins the firm from Morgan Stanley Asia, where he was initially general counsel and then Southeast Asia chairman.Blake Dawson’s boost to the Jakarta office was a strategic move to meet an anticipated rise in energy and resources work. “

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-31373283249922209492010-05-22T10:08:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:28:06.118-07:00

Fulbright & Jaworski has elevated nine senior associates and four senior counsel from core practice areas to join the firm’s global partnership.Two of the new partners are based in Hong Kong, Zhang Jie of the corporate group and Ben McQuhae of the energy & real estate group.Both have experience in advising multinational clients in oil & gas-related transactions and projects. However, Zhang

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-44569690761352659772010-05-22T10:06:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:28:10.139-07:00

Proskauer Rose has announced that Jim Chapman will join the firm as a partner in its lodging and gaming practice group.Before joining Proskauer, Chapman was the general counsel of Galaxy Entertainment Group, one of Asia’s leading gaming and entertainment companies. Chapman has been involved in some of the most high-profile gaming, hotel and resort development transactions in the region, including

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-66631961034709596982010-05-22T10:05:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:28:14.429-07:00

Clyde & Co has added two new Middle East-based partners, Peter Hodgins in the area of Islamic insurance (Takaful) and Scott Aitken in property.Hodgins is the latest in a succession of departures from DLA Piper, where he was involved in the establishment of the firm’s affiliated office in Riyadh. Before this, he worked in the insurance practices of Clifford Chance and UK firm Reynold Porter

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-83377716318156399842010-05-22T10:04:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:28:18.045-07:00

Freshfields has appointed partner Simon Marchant as its new Asia managing partner, a position which has been left vacant for three years.Marchant, a London-based M&A specialist, will transfer to the Hong Kong office later this year. He will take over the role that was vacated after partner Perry Noble stepped down from the position in 2006. “Recently the emphasis for us in Asia has been on

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-14324227001732006522010-05-22T10:02:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:28:21.101-07:00

Latham & Watkins has moved partner Philip von Randow to its Doha office from Frankfurt as finance and restructuring work increases in the Middle East.Corporate transactions lawyer Von Randow said his relocation to the Middle East is timely, since Latham & Watkins is capitalising on the rising number of Europe/Middle East cross-border finance opportunities. “We are already involved in very major

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-33640796321571790882010-05-22T10:00:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:28:24.084-07:00

KhattarWong has announced the appointment of former DLA Piper lawyer Tan Choon Leng to its corporate & securities laws department.Tan’s practice includes advising MNCs, funds and banks on their Southeast Asian matters, with an emphasis on distressed situations, restructurings, work-outs and M&A transactions, in what is a clear sign of where KhattarWong’s priorities lie at the moment.ALB

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-76640540232722121592010-05-19T18:14:00.001-07:002010-06-09T21:28:26.902-07:00

Qingdao-headquartered Deheng Law Firm has welcomed Liu Jiqing, former resident partner and chief representative of Baker & Daniels Beijing representative office, to lead its international team.Liu is the first foreign lawyer to be hired by Deheng, and is licensed to practise in Washington, Michigan and Indiana. He will be based in the Beijing office and plans to start a new IP team. Deheng plans

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-75710334256079850912010-05-19T18:13:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:28:43.054-07:00

Yulchon may literally mean ‘Law village’, but judging from the scale of recent lateral hires it looks set to become a ‘Law city’ rather quickly. The firm has announced the addition of six high-profile senior lawyers, including three former public prosecutors and two former judges. Tae Hyeon Kim, Jeong Yeol Choe, Jeong Cheol Cho, Kum Ju Son, Su Jae Lee and foreign legal consultant John KJ Kim have

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-50836502861271899472010-05-19T18:12:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:28:47.124-07:00

K&L Gates has launched an office in Singapore and appointed former DLA Piper partner Kevin J Murphy to head the corporate practice.Murphy will manage the new office’s corporate and restructuring practice, and bring his longstanding clients to the firm. Murphy said that despite the impact of the financial crisis in Singapore, the new office had long been on the cards. “The firm had been planning

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-58617923707788439282010-05-19T18:10:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:28:51.225-07:00

Party autonomy is one of the important guiding principles in arbitration. It is common for parties to specify in the dispute resolution clause of a contract how the arbitral tribunal is to be constituted and the manner in which the arbitration proper should be conducted etc. What happens, however, when an arbitration agreement provides for the arbitration to be administered by one arbitral

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-55054109466520498782010-05-15T20:47:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:28:55.290-07:00

Vietnam’s phenomenal economic growth in recent years resulted in a larger base for consumer and business products. While the economic growth has spurred the development and commercialization of intellectual property rights, Vietnam has also witnessed steady increases in intellectual property infringement and counterfeiting. Competitive labour cost and a large population pool creates an ideal

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-73950854947360994952010-05-15T20:45:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:28:59.273-07:00

China’s growing appetite for energy and resources has led to the set up of the Hong Kong Mercantile Exchange (HKMEx) to bridge the gap between the international commodities markets and China.It provides an efficient and transparent pricing platform for end-users and the global trading community to trade tailor-made contracts, hedge pricing risks in China and across the region, lower transactions

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-23165919291251424822010-05-15T20:42:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:29:03.161-07:00

Japanese conglomerates remain relatively strong, with a number boasting the cash and appetite for overseas acquisitions.This is evident in the US$211m investment by Japan Uranium Management (JUM) in Uranium One, a Canadian-listed producer and marketer of uranium. JUM is a consortium established by three Japanese companies – Toshiba Corporation, Tokyo Electric Power Company and the Japan Bank for

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-80170836130054946222010-05-07T11:09:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:29:07.544-07:00

It has long been recognized, the importance of corporate IT services, to the success of the in house corporate legal function, and the criticality for timeliness, and accuracy to in-house legal departments, and indeed external corporate legal requests.Requests for information, evidence and data audit results, have typically been a reactive, urgent matter, for internal IT resources “as we need the

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-68486494228960433422010-05-07T11:06:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:29:10.981-07:00

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, Lee & Li and Baker and McKenzie were called in to act on Gintech Energy Corporation’s US$52.8m GDS offering.Goldman Sachs International was the initial purchaser in the deal, which was the first GDS offering by an Asian issuer in 2009 and the first to make use of new Taiwanese regulations allowing equity follow-on offerings to be priced at no less than 80% of the local

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-51073141634769653932010-05-07T11:05:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:29:15.088-07:00

White & Case and Clifford Chance were called in on a deal that saw Barry Callebaut Asia Pacific (Singapore) sell its Asiabased consumer company, Van Houten (Singapore) to Hershey Singapore.Barry Callebaut Asia Pacific (Singapore) is a subsidiary of Barry Callebaut AG, a Zurich-based manufacturer of high-quality cocoa and chocolate brands such as Sarotti, Jacques and Alprose. The value of the

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-52562661908863984792010-05-03T07:07:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:29:19.617-07:00

China Chengtong Group, a large logistics conglomerate, has announced the appointment of Wang Yonghai as the general counsel of China Asset Management Corporation (CAMC) – an important wholly owned subsidiary of the group.Wang will remain a vice-president of CAMC while he serves as general counsel. With 17 years’ experience, both in-house and in private practice, he is responsible for all the

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-50107162286921916282010-05-03T07:02:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:29:25.089-07:00

Middle East-based firm Al Tamimi & Co has reopened its Baghdad office, citing improved security conditions in the war-torn country.“The security situation is improving day by day,” said Hadeel Hassan, a Baghdad-based associate. “Also, the government is encouraging investment in Iraq and making things easier for foreign investors to come [here].”While the office was never officially closed, the

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-72703295444805518102010-04-30T11:33:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:29:28.959-07:00

US-based firm Dorsey & Whitney has opened an office in Sydney to service US clients in the Asia-Pacific region.Working in conjunction with its two other Asia offices, in Shanghai and Hong Kong, the Sydney office will be headed by partner John Chrisman to serve companies and banks based in Asia. Commenting on the opening, the firm’s managing partner, Marianne Short, said the firm saw “favourable

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-79422071886694634052010-04-30T11:29:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:29:32.280-07:00

Recruitment firm Hudson has released a report surveying the hiring expectations of nearly 3,000 respondents in multinational organisations across industry sectors.The report shows:14% of executives plan to hire in the second quarter of 2009, compared with 18% in the first;Twice as many respondents are exopected to reduce headcount this quarter;Hiring expectations in Hong Kong are lowest compared

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-29191822527229167542010-04-30T11:26:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:29:48.219-07:00

Lex Mundi has obtained grants from three foundations towards its Pro Bono Foundation, which will allow its members to work on a range of new initiatives.Grants from The Lemelson Foundation, John S and James L Knight Foundation, and the Kellogg Action Lab will provide members of the Lex Mundi Pro Bono Foundation (LMPBF) with finances to provide pro bono legal services to worldwide social

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-85955842566191801412010-04-20T09:38:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:29:52.453-07:00

The financial crisis may be hitting other Asian law firms severely, but Korea-based Bae, Kim & Lee says that a rush of work has been flooding into the firm since February.“[The financial crisis] did have a little impact on our business, but from late January to early February, we have totally recovered,” said partner, Tony DongWook Kang. “I don’t know if that will be a permanent thing but we

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-77743941656945320112010-04-20T09:36:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:29:56.488-07:00

The Korean government will allow foreign law firms from some Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signatory countries to set up local consultancy offices as early as September and has said that full market liberalisation could occur by 2016 at the earliest.However, in order to qualify as local consultants, foreign firms will not be allowed to hire locally qualified lawyers, patent attorneys or accountants.

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-85423743657529223352010-03-22T13:24:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:30:01.286-07:00

— James Holzhauer announced he will step down as chairman of Mayer Brown in January 2010— Shearman & Sterling is set to cut 60 support staff jobs in its US and Canadian offices following redundancies in the UK— Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal has closed its Charlotte office due to the declining demand for legal services. The firm will relocate some of the 11 Charlotte-based lawyers to busier parts

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-15117993819091660112010-03-22T13:23:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:30:05.415-07:00

Baker & McKenzie is close to becoming the largest US law firm by revenue, surpassing Skadden Arps, which has long held the title.It is only US$10m away from first place after posting a 20% rise in revenue last year, with a turnover boost from US$1.83bn in 2007 to US$2.19bn in 2008; Skadden only managed a 1% rise in revenue last year, with a total global turnover of US$2.2bn.Latham&Watkins is

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-24347738419203551482010-03-22T13:21:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:30:08.557-07:00

UK firms Allen & Overy and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer have joined forces with leading US firms and banks to push for the expansion of public private partnerships (PPP) in the US.Kearsarge Global Advisers recently reported that a group comprised of seven firms (including Chadbourne & Parke, Debevoise & Plimpton, Fulbright & Jaworski, Mayer Brown and McKenna Long & Aldridge) and 11 companies

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-87875743320384428852010-03-22T13:20:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:30:11.683-07:00

After law firms around the world have made their first round of global financial crisis induced lay-offs, some US firms are now implementing salary cuts.Dewey & LeBoeuf has cut the pay of up to 66 US partners by as much as 80%. The move has reportedly left some Dewey partners taking home around just US$10,000 per month.Meanwhile, DLA Piper’s US partners have faced an 11.5% pay cut amid gloomy

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-35558153421473102972010-03-22T13:16:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:30:15.083-07:00

White & Case has announced plans to slash approximately 200 associates and 200 administrative and business support staff from its global network.The redundancy plans are among the largest so far announced by a US firm and will also include a review of the firm’s partnership.Other US firms have also recently announced plans to cut staff, including O’Melveny & Myers, which is set to layoff 90

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-7536991513910495432010-03-18T05:26:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:30:19.962-07:00

Asurprising trend has emerged amid the uncertainty of the current job market – an increase in the number of bullying claims. Interestingly, however, many of these are false claims made by employees trying to protect themselves from redundancies through contrived or exaggerated workplace allegations.Joydeep Hor, managing partner of Australian law firm Harmers Workplace Lawyers, has seen an

Bobinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02114809366593491813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2813802590082545095.post-28449195381058283602010-03-17T05:00:00.000-07:002010-06-09T21:30:23.764-07:00

The Qatar Financial Centre Authority has released a consultation paper containing what it describes as a “clarification” of the conditions firms are required to fulfil in order to remain operating in the Qatar Financial Centre.The conditions outlined in the consultation paper are not particularly onerous and many are not new. Firms need to ensure that lawyers are "in good standing of the

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Gide Loyrette Nouel has made a two-fold commitment to the UAE with the opening of not one but two new offices, in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The firm is particularly looking to attract work in the M&A, corporate law, banking & finance, and infrastructure spaces.With the Gulf market contracting, Gide will need to produce a trump card to distinguish itself from other firms in the region and the firm

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US firm Jones Day has kicked off its presence in the Gulf region by opening an office in Dubai.The office, which will focus on energy, finance, arbitration and M&A work will be led by soon-tobe-relocated London-based project finance partner Arman Galledari.He will supported by Sheila Shadmand, who will also relocate from the US, and four other lawyers – one counsel, two foreign associates and one

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Any lawyers who thought they were safely out of the woods might need to think again. Orrick has completed its second redundancy consultation and has decided to lay off another 300 staff.In one of the largest rounds of layoffs to date, the firm said that 12% of its non-partner lawyers would be cut. Twenty-five lawyers will be given the chop in Asia – the same amount as in Europe – while 50 will

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Despite no mention of compensation in its first letter to future joiners, reports have revealed that Lovells will now offer a cash payment to trainee solicitors who have decided to defer.The firm recently wrote to its autumn 2009 and spring and autumn 2010 intakes offering a Ј5,000 cash payment to those who delay their start dates by 12 months and Ј2,500 for any who decide to defer for six

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Many US firms have recently taken to cutting staff from their London networks as they seek to ride out the slump.Dewey & LeBoeuf last month launched a redundancy consultation in London in a bid to reduce its associate headcount by approximately 15.The cut will amount to 9% of London-based associates and see 13% of support staff laid off in the capital.Latham & Watkins also announced plans to lay

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The economic turmoil continues to take its toll on firms and their staff as another round of redundancy consultations begin.Following reports that Clifford Chance aims to reduce lawyer headcount by 80 and scale back its partnership numbers, the Magic Circle firm recently announced it would be laying off up to 115 business services staff in London after a review.Allen & Overy also recently

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UK-based firm Osborne Clarke has been embroiled in a discrimination case brought by an Indian law student for its refusal to accept his trainee application.The firm dismissed the student’s training contract application in 2007 on the grounds that he was a non-EEA (European Economic Area) resident and needed a work permit.A ruling issued in March by the UK Employment Appeal Tribunal found that the

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