Lawyers go back to school
The Citizenship Foundation has launched a new volunteering scheme for small to medium-sized regional law firms. Local Lawyers in School places trainees and lawyers in schools to run interactive workshops developing understanding of the law. See www.locallawyersinschools.org.uk.
ABS timeframe set
The first alternative business structures will be licensed from 6 October 2011, with businesses able to apply for a licence from mid-2011, the Legal Services Board has said. Chairman David Edmonds said the timeframe was challenging but realistic, and would provide certainty for businesses.
Scotland debates ABSs
The Law Society of Scotland is to hold a special general meeting to debate what its policy should be on external ownership of alternative business structures. Legislation enabling ABSs was introduced in the Scottish Parliament last September.
Certificate for partners
Manchester Metropolitan University will next month launch a six-module Certificate in Legal Practice Management aimed at law firm partners.
Ashurst shuts Delhi office
City firm Ashurst has shut its Delhi liaison office, which opened in 1994. The firm said modern technology means that it no longer needs a physical presence in India. The move came shortly after a ruling by the Bombay High Court, which reiterated that the practice of law by foreign firms in India is prohibited. The Ashurst office did not practise law.
Mayer Brown revenue blow
Revenues at the London office of US firm Mayer Brown fell 16% from £111.6m in 2008 to £93.8m in 2009. Globally, the firm reported revenues down 14% from $1.29bn (£830m) to $1.12bn (£721m) over the same period.
A&O opens in Qatar
Magic circle firm Allen & Overy has opened a new corporate and finance office in Qatar to be headed by partner Robert Porter. The firm already has offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and an associated office in Riyadh.
All change at Herbert Smith
City firm Herbert Smith has appointed partner James Palmer as global head of corporate, partner Patrick Mitchell as global managing partner of corporate, and partner Malcolm Hitching as global head of finance. Sonya Leydecker was re-elected head of global dispute resolution.
Freshfields’ global push
Magic circle firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has launched a global regulatory investigations practice led by litigation partners Geoff Nicholas and Adam Siegel.
New employment firm
City lawyers Jon Gilligan and Paul Quain have set up niche firm GQ Employment Law, with offices in London and Reading.
