Legal news

New top 25 firm created in Wragge Lawrence Graham merger

The UK firms of London-based Lawrence Graham and Wragge from Birmingham are to merge to create a 770-lawyer practice just outside the top 20.

• TAKEOVER ACTIVITY

  

  CC predicts 2014 M&A rise

  Clifford Chance is predicting that a gradual increase in M&A activity this year will give momentum to early 2014 and beyond.

• US ASSOCIATE BONUSES

  

  Boies Schiller to give $300k bonuses

  Boies, Schiller & Flexer looks likely to win the 2013 bonus league through bonus payments which will average US85,000 and hit $300,000 for some associates.

• PERMISSIONS

  

  Top firms told to reapply for Singapore licences

  Clifford Chance and Allen & Overy are among the law firms in Singapore which have been asked to reapply for licences to operate there.

• MINORITIES

  

  Legal sector lags others on diversity

  African Americans and Hispanics account for only 8.4% of lawyers in the US - even though they make up 25% of the population.

Editor's picks

TAX DISPUTES

Bengal braced for falling tax revenue after big business challenge

The Indian state of West Bengal is braced to see a fall in tax revenue this year after Tata Steel, Cadbury and other multinationals challenged one of its tax laws.

PARTNER PAY

Herbert Smith augments Australian pay system to keep top talent

The partner remuneration system at Herbert Smith Freehills in Australia is to include an extra component in order to encourage top players to stay on at the law firm.

MANAGEMENT

Litigator becomes Hogan Lovells chief exec

Hogan Lovells is shifting back to a system of having one chief executive, for the first time since its transatlantic merger in 2010.

PUBLIC OFFICE

Uganda Law Society to enter reconciliation talks with Attorney General

Having suspended the Attorney General, Peter Nyombi, for two years on the grounds of incompetence, the Uganda Law Society (ULS) has now agreed to start talks aimed at a reconciliation.

Blogs

EMPLOYMENT LAW

Christmas crackers at the Xmas party

Mistletoe and wine are often the precursors to a less than happy Christmas aftermath for employers, says employment lawyer Philip Henson.

FORUM SHOPPING

The importance of jurisdiction in international divorce

Forum shopping is key to a good international divorce with Scotland being a case in point, says Catherine Thomas.

Barometer

SURVEY

Has your firm recently considered merging as a way of combating the effects of continuing harsh economic conditions?

Leading law firm partners answer the big questions

SURVEY

Are there more women at your in-house legal department in senior positions than in other areas of your company?

Global general counsel answer our big question

Business sector round up

DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Herbert Smith names Asia litigation head

Tokyo-based Peter Godwin has been named as the new head of disputes in Asia by Herbert Smith Freehills.

TELECOMS

Unified license set to impact managed services in India

The unified license has revamped the regulatory framework governing the provision of telecom services in India. But will it provide the clarity it so desperately requires, asks Rahul Matthan of Trilegal?