Training contract and trainee solicitor information and resources | TraineeSolicitor.co.uk http://www.traineesolicitor.co.uk/forums/ TraineeSolicitor.co.uk is a training contract forum for trainee solicitors, university students, CPE/GDL/LPC students and paralegals to discuss legal education, finding a training contract and life as a trainee solicitor. en Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:06:12 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.traineesolicitor.co.uk/forums/styles/redcarbon/misc/rss.jpg Training contract and trainee solicitor information and resources | TraineeSolicitor.co.uk http://www.traineesolicitor.co.uk/forums/ Wragges becomes latest firm to post H1 results with turnover down 3% http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/co/keSs/~3/qWg2Vaw3z0g/19968-wragges-becomes-latest-firm-post-h1-results-turnover-down-3-a.html Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:51:04 GMT Emma Sadowski legalweek

Wragge & Co has recorded a drop in half-year turnover, with revenues dipping to £47.5m.The drop marks a 3% decrease in fee income from the same period in 2008, when Wragges posted revenues of £49m.

Wragge & Co has recorded a drop in half-year turnover, with revenues dipping to £47.5m.

The drop marks a 3% decrease in fee income from the same period in 2008, when Wragges posted revenues of £49m.

Quentin Poole, the national firm's senior partner, said that corporate activity had started to pick up over the last six months and that projects had remained relatively strong.

However, he said there was little evidence that litigation activity was increasing while the property and restructuring markets were remaining weak.

Wragges saw total revenues for 2008-09 plunge by 16% to £105.8m, with profit per equity partner dropping by almost 40% to £292,000.

Poole (pictured) commented: "We would be disappointed if we came in below £100m [in 2009-10]. We are aiming for £100m-plus and that's on the basis that we're not factoring in a material upturn."

Wragges' revenue announcement comes amid a mixed financial reporting season. While firms including Berwin Leighton Paisner, Simmons & Simmons and Pinsent Masons have all seen revenues fall, others - such as Norton Rose and Lovells - are expecting to be static, while Denton Wilde Sapte and Bird & Bird both have both seen revenues increase.

Allen & Overy remains the only magic circle firm to post half-year results so far, with the firm recording a 7% drop to £511m.

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]]> Legal Week admin http://www.traineesolicitor.co.uk/forums/legal-week/19968-wragges-becomes-latest-firm-post-h1-results-turnover-down-3-a.html http://www.traineesolicitor.co.uk/forums/legal-week/19968-wragges-becomes-latest-firm-post-h1-results-turnover-down-3-a.html Watson Burton partners pay back £1m capital into the firm http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/co/keSs/~3/rusMzsOFnRc/19967-watson-burton-partners-pay-back-1m-capital-into-firm.html Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:40:06 GMT Emma Sadowski legalweek (http://www.legalweek.com/) Watson Burton has injected £1m of partner capital into its business, with... Emma Sadowski legalweek

Watson Burton has injected £1m of partner capital into its business, with the firm's senior equity partners making the contribution.The eight partners that have agreed to contribute £125,000 are senior partner Rob Langley, corporate chief Gillian Hall, employment partner Chris Graham, property partners Simon Scougall and David Bowden, corporate finance partner Duncan Reid, professions and insurance partner Richard Palmer, and construction partner Roddy Gordon.

Watson Burton has injected £1m of partner capital into its business, with the firm's senior equity partners making the contribution.

The eight partners that have agreed to contribute £125,000 are senior partner Rob Langley, corporate chief Gillian Hall, employment partner Chris Graham, property partners Simon Scougall and David Bowden, corporate finance partner Duncan Reid, professions and insurance partner Richard Palmer, and construction partner Roddy Gordon.

The extra capital is intended to help the firm with its future growth.

In March Watson Burton cut back 25% of its headcount after placing 75 staff, including partners, at risk of redundancy across the firm's offices in Leeds, Newcastle and London. That redundancy round marked the second within a year after the firm made 14 members of staff redundant at the end of last year.

Commenting on the cash injection, Langley said: "We have been through a time of reconstruction and renewal which leaves us stronger and more confident for 2010. This injection of capital represents a tremendous statement of confidence by a broad new base of senior equity partners. There is a positive energy evident in the firm across staff and partners."

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]]> Legal Week admin http://www.traineesolicitor.co.uk/forums/legal-week/19967-watson-burton-partners-pay-back-1m-capital-into-firm.html http://www.traineesolicitor.co.uk/forums/legal-week/19967-watson-burton-partners-pay-back-1m-capital-into-firm.html Scottish lawyers unperturbed by Dutch stereotyping http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/co/keSs/~3/LWfLsRilM8s/19966-scottish-lawyers-unperturbed-dutch-stereotyping.html Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:40:06 GMT The Netherlands Bar Society has done its bit for international relations by using a novel picture to illustrate a story about the liberalisation of... The Netherlands Bar Society has done its bit for international relations by using a novel picture to illustrate a story about the liberalisation of Scotlandâ??s legal market.

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]]> The Lawyer admin http://www.traineesolicitor.co.uk/forums/lawyer/19966-scottish-lawyers-unperturbed-dutch-stereotyping.html http://www.traineesolicitor.co.uk/forums/lawyer/19966-scottish-lawyers-unperturbed-dutch-stereotyping.html Former Linklaters Germany chief quits firm to set up consultancy http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/co/keSs/~3/1LiLVYwlOd0/19965-former-linklaters-germany-chief-quits-firm-set-up-consultancy.html Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:21:01 GMT Sofia Lind legalweek

Linklaters' former Germany managing partner Markus Hartung is leaving the firm to set up his own consultancy.Hartung managed the magic circle firm's German operations from 2001 until January last year when he returned to full-time fee earning in the litigation and arbitration department.Hartung, who led Oppenhoff & Raedler into its 2001 merger with Linklaters, stood unopposed in 2003 for a second term as Linklaters' German head despite the turbulence surrounding the protracted tie-up.

Linklaters' former Germany managing partner Markus Hartung is leaving the firm to set up his own consultancy.

Hartung managed the magic circle firm's German operations from 2001 until January last year when he returned to full-time fee earning in the litigation and arbitration department.

Hartung, who led Oppenhoff & Raedler into its 2001 merger with Linklaters, stood unopposed in 2003 for a second term as Linklaters' German head despite the turbulence surrounding the protracted tie-up.

The legacy firm shrunk by a third as a result of the merger, and during his tenure Hartung worked to integrate the firm's partners into Linklaters' global network, while also easing out fee earners with unprofitable or incompatible practices.

Linklaters did not replace Hartung in the managing partner role last year, as the firm had appointed Michael Lappe to the senior partner role in 2004 and Wolfgang Weiss to a new role of German head of management in 2007.

Commenting on his decision to leave, Hartung said that he had achieved his aim of establishing Linklaters as a top-tier player in the German market, and that he longer had the drive to build up a litigation practice to the standard that he would expect of a Linklaters partner.

Hartung's consultancy business, which he will run alongside a career in lecturing in professional services management, will focus on development of law firm strategy as well as conflict management.

He said: "There is a great need for some German law firms to obtain strategy advice from someone who has experience in turning around a practice to reach the top tier. But introducing strategic changes always goes hand in hand with partner conflicts. My selling point is that I have deep experience in both of these areas."

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]]> Legal Week admin http://www.traineesolicitor.co.uk/forums/legal-week/19965-former-linklaters-germany-chief-quits-firm-set-up-consultancy.html http://www.traineesolicitor.co.uk/forums/legal-week/19965-former-linklaters-germany-chief-quits-firm-set-up-consultancy.html Pinsents posts half-year revenue drop of 7% http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/co/keSs/~3/9ey998haKSI/19964-pinsents-posts-half-year-revenue-drop-7-a.html Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:01:41 GMT Emma Sadowski legalweek (http://www.legalweek.com/) Pinsent Masons has posted a drop of nearly 7% in revenues for the first... Emma Sadowski legalweek

Pinsent Masons has posted a drop of nearly 7% in revenues for the first half of 2009-10, joining the likes of Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP), Allen & Overy (A&O) and Simmons & Simmons in seeing turnover dip. The national firm saw revenues for the six-month period drop by 6.9% to £98m - in line with the firm's expectations.

Pinsent Masons has posted a drop of nearly 7% in revenues for the first half of 2009-10, joining the likes of Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP), Allen & Overy (A&O) and Simmons & Simmons in seeing turnover dip.

The national firm saw revenues for the six-month period drop by 6.9% to £98m - in line with the firm's expectations.

Managing partner David Ryan (pictured) said: "Last year we had a very strong first half, so are not surprised revenue is down against that period. So far the year is going pretty much as we had expected. Activity is slowly picking up and we anticipate a stronger second half, though we are not counting on a speedy recovery in the economy."

For 2008-09, Pinsents saw revenues remain almost static at £215m, although this result came against a 36% plunge in profits per equity partner to £310,000.

Pinsents recently withheld two quarterly partner distributions, attributing the "profits distribution holiday" to a series of management responses to the recession. The firm is due to make its next quarterly payment as planned in December.

Pinsents' results make it the latest in a stream of firms to report falling revenues at the half-year point. BLP saw turnover dip by 5% to £79.8m, while A&O saw fee income drop by 7% to £511m.

Simmons has posted the largest decrease in half-year revenues to date, seeing turnover fall by 16% to £120.3m.

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]]> Legal Week admin http://www.traineesolicitor.co.uk/forums/legal-week/19964-pinsents-posts-half-year-revenue-drop-7-a.html http://www.traineesolicitor.co.uk/forums/legal-week/19964-pinsents-posts-half-year-revenue-drop-7-a.html Freshfields to go live with new associate pay model http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/co/keSs/~3/Znl1ZewRMdk/19963-freshfields-go-live-new-associate-pay-model.html Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:01:41 GMT Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer will implement its revamped associate career development model in London from spring 2010 with the system to be rolled... Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer will implement its revamped associate career development model in London from spring 2010 with the system to be rolled out globally from 2011.

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]]> The Lawyer admin http://www.traineesolicitor.co.uk/forums/lawyer/19963-freshfields-go-live-new-associate-pay-model.html http://www.traineesolicitor.co.uk/forums/lawyer/19963-freshfields-go-live-new-associate-pay-model.html Conveyancing Assistant http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/co/keSs/~3/0u7SfUMk7Tw/19962-conveyancing-assistant.html Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:30:31 GMT Excellent opportunity in a Lincoln law firm for a Conveyancing Assistant to join their well regarded team. The role would suit a candidate with... Excellent opportunity in a Lincoln law firm for a Conveyancing Assistant to join their well regarded team. The role would suit a candidate with experience managing their own caseload dealing with sales, purchases and remortgages. You will be given support with title checks and more complex cases. The role will pay up to i 1 218k depending on experience. If you are interested, please call Rachel Parkin on or email your CV to quoting reference rachelp/LEG/092040 (AGY) Req92040/AGY Speciality: Paralegal. Location: Lincoln, Lincolnshire

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]]> Paralegal Jobs Legal Jobs http://www.traineesolicitor.co.uk/forums/paralegal-jobs/19962-conveyancing-assistant.html http://www.traineesolicitor.co.uk/forums/paralegal-jobs/19962-conveyancing-assistant.html PI Litigation - Essex http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/co/keSs/~3/fPuMM4pu2RM/19961-pi-litigation-essex.html Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:30:31 GMT PI Litigator required by an Essex private practice with a reputation for consistently offering a high level service to clients who are claiming after... PI Litigator required by an Essex private practice with a reputation for consistently offering a high level service to clients who are claiming after incurring a loss through a Road Traffic Injury. The position requires candidates to have previous commercial experience in managing a claim through the litigated process to final settlement. Files are managed through fast track. Salary i 1 222k to i 1 225k depending upon previous experience. CPR and PI protocol experience essential. Excellent commuting links in and out of London combined with M25 access. All applications will be reviewed within the next working day by our consultants and successful applicants will be acknowledged in that timeframe. 22000.0000 Speciality: Paralegal. Location: Essex, South East England

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]]> Paralegal Jobs Legal Jobs http://www.traineesolicitor.co.uk/forums/paralegal-jobs/19961-pi-litigation-essex.html http://www.traineesolicitor.co.uk/forums/paralegal-jobs/19961-pi-litigation-essex.html Legal Administrator, RE Part-time, 32 hours/week http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/co/keSs/~3/VUYWyZKlTmc/19960-legal-administrator-re-part-time-32-hours-week.html Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:30:31 GMT CONTRACT ROLE: Legal Administrator, Real Estate (Part-time- 32 hours a week) LOCATION: London Gap Europe requires a part-time (32 hours a week)... CONTRACT ROLE: Legal Administrator, Real Estate (Part-time- 32 hours a week) LOCATION: London Gap Europe requires a part-time (32 hours a week) legal administrator to join a small and front-line European legal team, on a contract basis, based in their Central London headquarters to provide legal administrative duties in respect of the Real Estate activities. The role is multi-jurisdictional and involves supporting the RE activities in the UK, France, Republic of Ireland and any other markets in the EU in which the company may operate in the future ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: i 1 2 Provide legal administrative support for the real estate functions in EU HQ, including the processing and/or arrange for simple lease amendments, notices, defaults and/or performing lease research and analysis i 1 2 Provide timely and efficient lease administration support by monitoring and tracking the status of all real estate transactions within Europe arrange for document execution in accordance with signatory authority levels i 1 2 Responsible for the preparation of key reports, status report and the management of key lease information in the legal management database systems i 1 2 Co-ordinate and manage the preparation of thorough and accurate lease summaries/digests of key lease provisions for all stores leases i 1 2 Co-ordinate any shareholder consents and relevant consents or approvals on French & Eire (or other countries as necessary) RE activities with US Legal Department in a timely fashion i 1 2 Tracking and monitoring any break option dates and being fully responsible for flagging any such key dates in a timely fashion for the business to take appropriate decision i 1 2 Tracking of RE related legal cost and reporting to the Head of Legal i 1 2 Conduct RE legal admin duties including updating and managing deeds location file, CD-Roms, E-Docs, SDLTs etc i 1 2 Provide updates and information on invoices and billings from outside counsel or other vendor as appropriate to the Department Legal assistant track construction allowance money and other key data related to new and existing store deals i 1 2 Develop strong partnerships with RE and Store development, finance and store operations team in the EU HQ to effectively manage leased properties and streamline processes where appropriate. __________________________________________________ _________________ REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS i 1 2 Proven legal assistant/paralegal experience lease administration, property management and leasing and/or real estate legal experience preferred but not required i 1 2 Knowledge of MS word, Excel and Access i 1 2 Ability to speak French (or any other European language) and/or experience working within a French (or other European) culture would be a bonus. Must possess following personal qualities: o Very strong organisational skills o Attention to detail and strong follow through with tasks and in communication with others is a key requirement. o Strong prioritization and multi-tasking skills o Good communication, drafting and negotiating skills o Practical and flexible o Ability to work as part of a team o College degree o Law School or Paralegal certificate (or equivalent) strongly preferred o Retail/consumer industry experience would be desirable This position description intends to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. It is not intended to include all duties and responsibilities. The order in which duties and responsibilities are listed is not significant. 0.0000 Speciality: Paralegal. Location: London, South East England

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]]> Paralegal Jobs Legal Jobs http://www.traineesolicitor.co.uk/forums/paralegal-jobs/19960-legal-administrator-re-part-time-32-hours-week.html http://www.traineesolicitor.co.uk/forums/paralegal-jobs/19960-legal-administrator-re-part-time-32-hours-week.html Trio of firms win roles on £90m takeover of Live Nation venues http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/co/keSs/~3/5zEsZTfC5sY/19959-trio-firms-win-roles-90m-takeover-live-nation-venues.html Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:00:33 GMT Claire Ruckin legalweek (http://www.legalweek.com/) Travers Smith, Denton Wilde Sapte and Hammonds have won lead roles on... Claire Ruckin legalweek

Travers Smith, Denton Wilde Sapte and Hammonds have won lead roles on Exponent Private Equity's financing of the Ambassador Theatre Group's (ATG's) £90m takeover of Live Nation's 16 UK theatres.Travers advised longstanding client Exponent on the deal, which will create the largest theatre group in the UK and adds high-profile West End venues such as the Lyceum and Apollo Victoria to ATG's portfolio of theatres.

Travers Smith, Dentons and Hammonds advise on West End takeover

Travers Smith, Denton Wilde Sapte and Hammonds have won lead roles on Exponent Private Equity's financing of the Ambassador Theatre Group's (ATG's) £90m takeover of Live Nation's 16 UK theatres.

Travers advised longstanding client Exponent on the deal, which will create the largest theatre group in the UK and adds high-profile West End venues such as the Lyceum and Apollo Victoria to ATG's portfolio of theatres.

The firm fielded a team led by private equity head Philip Sanderson, with the firm thought to have had just over a week to complete the financing package.

ATG turned to regular adviser Dentons, where real estate partner Andrew Hill headed a team also including employment partner Simon Whysall, pensions partner Alan Jarvis and technology, media and telecoms partner Rod Kirwan. Hill has advised ATG for 15 years, bringing the theatre group over to Dentons with him when he joined the City firm in 2004 from Addleshaw Goddard.

Hammonds provided legal advice to Live Nation, which will concentrate on its live music business. The national firm's team was led by London corporate partner Nick Allen. Ashurst advised ATG's management, after former BBC director general Greg Dyke joined the company as executive chairman this month.

Hill said: "This acquisition is transformational for ATG, and we were delighted to assist them on a project of this scale and significance."

The transaction makes Exponent the majority owner of ATG, with the private equity group putting in around £75m for a stake of just over 50%.

The acquisition will take the number of theatres owned and operated by ATG to about 40.

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]]> Legal Week admin http://www.traineesolicitor.co.uk/forums/legal-week/19959-trio-firms-win-roles-90m-takeover-live-nation-venues.html http://www.traineesolicitor.co.uk/forums/legal-week/19959-trio-firms-win-roles-90m-takeover-live-nation-venues.html <![CDATA[A&O, Arthur Cox and Mason Hayes act on sale of £1.2bn stake in Dragon Oil]]> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/co/keSs/~3/KKqy3bvDMJM/19958-o-arthur-cox-mason-hayes-act-sale-1-2bn-stake-dragon-oil.html Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:40:05 GMT Emma Sadowski legalweek

Allen & Overy (A&O) has taken a lead role for Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC) on its £1.2bn acquisition of the outstanding 48.5% stake in Dragon Oil.The magic circle law firm was instructed by the UAE company on its purchase of Dragon's remaining shares. ENOC already owned the other 51.5% of London and Ireland-listed Dragon.

Allen & Overy (A&O) has taken a lead role for Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC) on its &pound;1.2bn acquisition of the outstanding 48.5% stake in Dragon Oil.

The magic circle law firm was instructed by the UAE company on its purchase of Dragon's remaining shares. ENOC already owned the other 51.5% of London and Ireland-listed Dragon.

London corporate partner Dominic Morris led a City-based team for the firm, with finance partner Philip Bowden, tax partner Patrick Mears and environment partner Matthew Townsend also involved.

The acquisition is expected to be agreed under Irish law, with Ireland's Arthur Cox instructed to advise on local law. Dublin corporate partner Maura McLaughlin is leading for the firm.

Dragon Oil turned to Dublin-based Mason Hayes & Curran for advice, with corporate chairman Paul Egan and fellow partner Justin McKenna advising.

Morris commented: "This acquisition marks an important step in ENOC's strategy of building a vertically integrated oil and gas group with a strong upstream position."

The deal comes after a raft of recent consolidation in the oil sector, with a trio of large firms winning roles on Gazprom's &pound;1bn purchase of a 51% stake in Italy's SeverEnergia from Enel and Eni.

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]]> Legal Week admin http://www.traineesolicitor.co.uk/forums/legal-week/19958-o-arthur-cox-mason-hayes-act-sale-1-2bn-stake-dragon-oil.html http://www.traineesolicitor.co.uk/forums/legal-week/19958-o-arthur-cox-mason-hayes-act-sale-1-2bn-stake-dragon-oil.html Trio of firms win role on creation of currency trading platform http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/co/keSs/~3/8qvwo80pW5o/19957-trio-firms-win-role-creation-currency-trading-platform.html Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:22:50 GMT Clifford Chance, Denton Wilde Sapte and Simmons & Simmons have acted on the creation of a new exchange-traded currency (ETC) platform.

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]]> The Lawyer admin http://www.traineesolicitor.co.uk/forums/lawyer/19957-trio-firms-win-role-creation-currency-trading-platform.html http://www.traineesolicitor.co.uk/forums/lawyer/19957-trio-firms-win-role-creation-currency-trading-platform.html <![CDATA[Germany's Graf appoints new management team]]> http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/co/keSs/~3/1udyBgyUwn8/19956-germanys-graf-appoints-new-management-team.html Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:22:50 GMT German firm Graf von Westphalen has appointed a new dual management team to succeed Freiburg partner Barbara Mayer and Hamburg partner Carsten... German firm Graf von Westphalen has appointed a new dual management team to succeed Freiburg partner Barbara Mayer and Hamburg partner Carsten Bittner.

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]]> The Lawyer admin http://www.traineesolicitor.co.uk/forums/lawyer/19956-germanys-graf-appoints-new-management-team.html http://www.traineesolicitor.co.uk/forums/lawyer/19956-germanys-graf-appoints-new-management-team.html Biotech group Vernalis replaces departing GC with internal promotion http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/co/keSs/~3/8NoEM7PWLU8/19955-biotech-group-vernalis-replaces-departing-gc-internal-promotion.html Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:22:50 GMT Biotechnology research company Vernalis has promoted in-house lawyer Alison Hood to the position of general counsel and company secretary. More...... Biotechnology research company Vernalis has promoted in-house lawyer Alison Hood to the position of general counsel and company secretary.

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]]> The Lawyer admin http://www.traineesolicitor.co.uk/forums/lawyer/19955-biotech-group-vernalis-replaces-departing-gc-internal-promotion.html http://www.traineesolicitor.co.uk/forums/lawyer/19955-biotech-group-vernalis-replaces-departing-gc-internal-promotion.html Edward Fennell: In the City http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/co/keSs/~3/01l6gXbQvAs/19954-edward-fennell-city.html Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:11:54 GMT Atlantic crossing I don’t want to seem inhospitable to our American friends so I hope that Mark S. Dichter, a top partner in Morgan Lewis’s labour... Atlantic crossing I don’t want to seem inhospitable to our American friends so I hope that Mark S. Dichter, a top partner in Morgan Lewis’s labour and employment practice, will read this in the spirit in which it is intended. The man is relocating to London to drive forward the firm’s European expansion — presumably in the expectation of growing...

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