Fides Weekly Update – 30th August 2019


Hello and welcome to the Fides Weekly Update. Take a look at this week’s key trends, moves and developments in the UK legal sector.

Tweet us @Fides_Search to let us know your thoughts.

This week:

 

1).  Mischon de Reya and Herbert Smith Freehills enlisted in campaign to halt government shutdown

Mischon de Reya and Herbert Smith Freehills have been enlisted by campaigner Gina Miller and ex-PM John Major in an attempt to block a parliament shutdown announced by Boris Johnson earlier this week.

The prorogation will significantly reduce the time available for MPs to debate Brexit and block a no-deal Brexit, with the UK due to leave the EU on 31 October.

A five-week prorogation would be the longest suspension of British legislature since 1945, losing MPs up to seven days in parliament.

Partners James Libson and Rob Murray from Mishcon de Reya have lodged an immediate legal injunction to prevent the shutdown of parliament, with support of Blackstone’s Lord Pannick QC and Tom Hickman.

The line-up is a repeat of the team’s successful Article 50 battle advising Gina Miller in 2016, when they challenged the authority of the Government to invoke Article 50 using prerogative powers.

John Major, who today announced his support for the campaign, has engaged HSF partner and London public law practice head Andrew Lidbetter, The Rt Hon The Lord Garnier QC of 4 Pump Court Chambers and barrister Tom Cleaver of Blackstone Chambers.

Meanwhile, the UK Government will be relying upon Landmark’s David Blundell and Blackstone’s James Eadie QC.

This morning, Scottish judge Lord Doherty refused to grant an interim interdict (similar to an injunction) against the decision to shut down parliament ahead of a full emergency court hearing due to take place on Tuesday. This will determine the legality of the PM’s decision to prorogue Parliament.

 

2). Movers & Shakers 

Appointments

Six Nations Rugby hires RFU legal head as first GC

 

Moves

BCLP swoops for five-partner Paris team

BCLP has raided a local French boutique Franklin to boost its real estate, tax and banking offering. Five partners and an unspecified number of associates are set to make the move. Partner’s relocating include real estate partners Henry Ranchon and Laurent Schittenhelm, tax partner Oliver Mesmin and Christine Daric, and banking and finance partner Davide Blondel

Linklaters’ Private Client Team Decamps to Fieldfisher

A five-lawyer Linklaters private client team is leaving to join Fieldfisher, just three years after the Magic Circle firm started rebuilding the practice, led by head of trusts Peter Golden

KPMG Continues UK Legal Expansion with BCLP Partner Hire

BCLP technology partner Usman Wahid joins the ‘big four’

KWM Expands London M&A Offering with US Firm Hire

King & Wood Mallesons has bolstered its London cross-border M&A practice with the addition of Partner Stewart Worthy from U.S. firm Winston & Strawn.

A&O Litigation Partner Latest to Quit London Office

Allen & Overy litigation partner Marc Florent has left the Magic Circle firm’s London office to join Baker McKenzie

Bird & Bird brings in top-rated employment partner from Stewarts

Bird & Bird has hired Stewarts Law heavyweight partner and head of employment Tim Spillane.

Gide secures corporate duo from Mayer Brown in latest Paris raid

Mayer Brown has lost a corporate team to French firm Gide Loyrette Nouel in the latest Paris recruitment coup, including partners Jean-François Louit and Caroline Lan

Macfarlanes loses digital advisory chief Rebeiro after only 18 months

Macfarlanes‘ digital and innovation business head Mike Rebeiro is leaving the firm after fewer than two years.

 

 

Office Openings & Closings

Squires seeks local partners for first Italian foray

 

Financials

Baker McKenzie Records Slower Revenue Growth in ‘Challenging’ Global Market

 

Inclusion & Diversity

Gender Pay Gap for General Counsel Has Grown, Study Says

 

Technology and Innovation

Eversheds debuts “Techtember” training month to dispel lawyers’ fear of IT

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