Legal Week - Olswang

Clifford Chance and Linklaters to launch 24-hour Brexit operations rooms

Anna Ward, contributor — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 00:03:00 -0400

Magic circle duo reveal their preparations for the vote on Thursday as other top 50 UK firms also make contingency plans

Bakers and Olswang advise on €515m Heron Tower refinancing

Rose Walker, staff — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 19:03:00 -0400

The 46-storey City landmark is to be refinanced by a loan underwritten by ING Real Estate Finance and Germany's LBBW

Olswang's UK start-up programme nets 19 clients

Anna Ward, contributor — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 00:17:00 -0400

UK firm's new initiative adds multiple clients in just over five months with some won by staff and junior lawyers

HSF, Jones Day and Simmons among firms advising on £1.4bn Qatari Diar and Delancey JV

Rose Walker, staff — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 10:19:00 -0400

Olswang and Mishcon de Reya also advising on the combination of London property portfolios from Qatari Diar and Delancey

Olswang promotes two to partner as Mishcon makes up six

Frances Ivens, contributor — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 05:59:00 -0400

Promotions come as Olswang posts 50% retention rate for its qualifying trainees this spring

Olswang changes Asia managing partner and makes Singapore promotion

Frances Ivens, contributor — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 05:56:00 -0500

Olswang's Asia head Rob Bratby is returning to London and will be replaced by Singapore corporate partner Andrew Stott

Olswang slashes net debt as it continues to mull merger options

Anna Ward, contributor — Tue, 9 Feb 2016 12:54:00 -0500

UK firm cuts net debt by more than 50% as it continues to weigh up possible merger options

News UK appoints new GC from Kingsley Napley

Rose Walker, staff — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 11:34:00 -0500

Angus McBride represented News UK CEO Rebekah Brooks during the phone hacking trial

Ex-Olswang chief executive joins arbitrator group JAMS

Anna Ward, contributor — Mon, 18 Jan 2016 10:11:00 -0500

David Stewart lands freelance role alongside current position as partner at a Turks & Caicos firm

Olswang enters associations in Hong Kong and Singapore

Frances Ivens, contributor — Mon, 7 Dec 2015 04:35:00 -0500

Olswang has entered into non-exclusive alliances with Holborn Law in Singapore and Haldanes in Hong Kong

Olswang hires Ashurst Singapore partner

Frances Ivens, contributor — Wed, 2 Dec 2015 06:39:00 -0500

Corporate partner Toby Grainger has joined Olswang in Singapore bringing the firm's office partner headcount to five

Cooley London expansion continues with hire of Olswang corporate partner

Rose Walker, staff — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 07:31:00 -0500

Natasha Kaye is the second partner to depart from Olswang and join Cooley this year

Olswang introduces all staff bonus for new client referrals

Anna Ward, contributor — Mon, 2 Nov 2015 07:33:00 -0500

Olswang staff could receive bonuses worth 10% of fees generated by new clients spending at least £20,000

Norton Rose Fulbright and Cooley lead on Trinity Mirror’s acquisition of Local World

Rose Walker, staff — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 06:16:00 -0400

Deal that will create the UK’s largest regional newspaper publisher also sees roles for Freshfields and Olswang

'We are not just an outpost' - Greenberg Traurig's Germany chief on life after Olswang

Anna Ward, contributor — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 00:03:00 -0400

Greenberg’s Germany managing partner outlines the priorities for his Berlin team after their surprise exit from Olswang

Olswang Munich IP team departs for Fish & Richardson

Vern Pitt, contributor — Fri, 7 Aug 2015 09:13:00 -0400

Munich intellectual property team including one partner and a patent attorney have left the firm for Fish & Richardson

Greenberg Traurig hires Olswang’s departing Berlin team for German launch

Anna Ward, contributor — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 07:18:00 -0400

More than 50 lawyers that made up Olswang's Berlin office have been snapped up by the US firm to open its fourth European office

The Germany problem – why some international law firms are slimming down in the country

Anna Ward, contributor — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 04:27:00 -0400

Closures continue amid lower billing rates with Orrick slashing its presence as Olswang and Magnusson's Berlin teams eye new horizons

Olswang elects new chief exec seven months after Stewart departure

Frances Ivens, contributor — Thu, 14 May 2015 04:58:00 -0400

Intellectual property head has been selected to lead the firm for a three-year term replacing Michael Burdon

Olswang chief exec election slated for May

Anna Ward, contributor — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 13:20:00 -0500

Firm confirms it plans to start selection process for a replacement for David Stewart this spring

Gateley hires two partners to London team

Vern Pitt, contributor — Mon, 2 Feb 2015 06:30:00 -0500

Partners from Olswang and DAC Beachcroft join Gateley in its commercial, technology and media team and corporate teams

Olswang announces 11% half-year revenue hike

Frances Ivens, contributor — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 10:29:00 -0500

Olswang has announced an 11% rise in revenue in its 2014-15 half-year results, with the un-audited figure increasing to £63.9m.

Legal apprenticeship scheme will allow participants to qualify as solicitors

Frances Ivens, contributor — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 08:49:00 -0400

A raft of leading law firms and in-house teams have helped the UK government develop new apprenticeship standards for the legal profession, helping to create a potential new route to qualification.

Olswang real estate finance head Skordaki joins Dechert's City office

Frances Ivens, contributor — Tue, 1 Jul 2014 09:03:00 -0400

Dechert has recruited the head of Olswang's real estate finance practice, one of two lateral partner hires for the firm in Europe this week.

Freshfields, Linklaters lead as Woolworths goes under

Charlotte Edmond, contributor — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 00:55:00 -0500

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has taken a role advising troubled retailer Woolworths, which announced yesterday (26 November) it was going into administration. The magic circle firm has reprised its role for regular client Woolworths, which until recently had been exploring a number of rescue options.Turnaround specialist Hilco is reported to have had an offer on the table to buy the retail business for £1, while Woolworths is also in discussions to sell a stake in DVD business 2Entertain, which is not in administration, to BBC Worldwide. Hilco has turned to CMS Cameron McKenna for advice.

Freshfields advises Woolworths on rescue offers

Charlotte Edmond, contributor — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 09:40:00 -0500

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has taken a role advising troubled retailer Woolworths as it explores various rescue options. The magic circle firm is understood to have reprised its role for regular client Woolworths, which last week (19 November) confirmed that it was in preliminary discussions regarding a possible offer for the retail business. Turnaround specialist Hilco is reported to have an offer on the table to buy the retail business for £1, while Woolworths is also in discussions to sell a stake in DVD business 2 Entertain to BBC Worldwide.

Olswang weighs up multi-disciplinary partnership

Charlotte Edmond, contributor — Thu, 6 Nov 2008 00:57:00 -0500

Olswang is considering bringing its patent attorneys and non-lawyer management into the partnership as part of a package of measures being considered under the Legal Services Act (LSA), it has emerged.The City law firm is considering making use of the measures in the Act allowing multi-disciplinary partnerships, hoping that the lure of partnership will help it recruit high-level non-lawyer professionals.The firm, which has a strong patent attorney-led prosecution practice, is looking at proposals to bring the group within the partnership once the Act comes into full force. It would also like to see some of its senior non-fee earners join the partnership.Chief executive officer Kevin Munslow, who is overseeing discussions, commented: "One of the things we are particularly interested in is multi-disciplinary partnerships. It would allow us to more aggressively develop our patent practice. We also have a number of non-fee earners who operate at partner level in a pseudo-director style management role, which we would like to bring into the partnership as well."The firm is also looking at the types of funding options available under the Act, though Olswang is not interested in pursuing a full public listing. However, less radical forms of securing outside investment are seen as potential options to fund expansion.Olswang, which is credited as being one of the firms at the forefront of discussions under the Act, has made a string of partner hires in the last year, growing its partnership almost 13% in 2007-08.Munslow added: "As traditional debt funding becomes harder to come by, and no doubt more expensive, innovative measures could take the risk out of expansion plans. We are a long way from implementing anything but we are making sure we are aware of the options."

Olswang introduces director position as partner alternative

Charlotte Edmond, contributor — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 01:59:00 -0400

Olswang has become the latest law firm to introduce an alternative to partnership, ushering in a new legal director position.The role, which will be taken up for the first time in September, is designed to be an alternative to the traditional partner route rather than a stepping stone. However, it will still be possible for legal directors to receive a further promotion into the partnership.

Olswang recruits new pensions team head

Charlotte Edmond, contributor — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 01:08:00 -0400

Olswang has continued its recent hiring spree, taking Beachcroft partner David Farmer in a boost for the firm's pensions practice.

Ex-Olswang partner makes return to firm

Charlotte Edmond, contributor — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 01:26:00 -0400

Olswang has bolstered its corporate department with the recruitment of Duncan McDonald, who returns to the firm after a stint in-house. McDonald joined Olswang this week as a partner after spending 18 months at Japanese private equity house Nikko Principal Investments. The move brings McDonald back for a second stint at the City firm. He initially joined Olswang as a partner from Pinsent Masons in 2004.

U-turn as Olswang unveils surprise NQ pay hike

Charlotte Edmond, contributor — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 11:54:00 -0400

Olswang has performed a U-turn after announcing a £1,500 hike in its salary rate for newly-qualified lawyers (NQs) , taking basic pay to £63,500. The new rate represents an increase of 2.4% on last year's figure of £62,000 and comes despite the firm announcing just last month that it would be freezing NQ rates at last year's level.

Commercial leads way as Olswang income climbs 11%

Charlotte Edmond, contributor — Fri, 23 May 2008 10:40:00 -0400

Olswang has seen an 11% hike in revenues over the last financial year with its 2007-08 turnover hitting £92.4m at the year-end. The increase means Olswang's revenue grew by just over £9m from £83.1m the previous year to the new high.

Performance scrutinised as attrition rates fall

Charlotte Edmond, contributor — Thu, 15 May 2008 02:05:00 -0400

City firms are set to take a tougher line on associate performance as they try to counteract falling staff turnover brought about by the uncertain economic climate. Partners are predicting falls in staff churn over the coming year with many typical destinations for associates - such as investment banks - freezing recruitment and associates more wary about moving.

CC, BLP and Olswang play it safe with modest salary rises

Charlotte Edmond, contributor — Thu, 15 May 2008 01:53:00 -0400

Clifford Chance (CC), Allen & Overy (A&O) and Olswang have joined the ranks of firms announcing associate salary rates for 2008, with all three avoiding significant rises. A&O last week became the first magic circle law firm to reveal it was holding salary bands at 2007 levels, with the firm announcing it had frozen associate salaries for 2008. The move is in line with Herbert Smith's decision in April to hold its rates at 2007 levels.

Olswang ups pay but NQ rate stays flat at £62k

Charlotte Edmond, contributor — Mon, 12 May 2008 08:07:00 -0400

Olswang has become the latest City firm to announce increases in its associate salaries, although rates for newly-qualified solicitors (NQs) at the top 30 UK outfit have been frozen at their current levels. Lawyers with one year post-qualification experience (PQE) will now pick up a minimum of £66,000 - up by £1,000 on last year and representing a hike of 1.5%.

Olswang adds partner to City restructuring team

Charlotte Edmond, contributor — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:49:00 -0400

Olswang has bolstered its restructuring practice, hiring DLA Piper partner Alicia Videon for its City offering. Videon - who specialises in restructuring, with a particular focus on buying and selling distressed debt - joined Olswang's restructuring and insolvency practice earlier this week as a partner.

City partnership rounds hold up despite financial market fears

Charlotte Edmond, contributor — Thu, 3 Apr 2008 01:33:00 -0400

Herbert Smith and Olswang have both announced bumper crops of new partners, as the UK's top law firms cast aside fears about the credit crunch to announce their latest round of partnership promotions. The pair join firms including Macfarlanes, CMS Cameron McKenna and Wragge & Co to increase their tallies on last year, with Trowers & Hamlins the only firm to date to see a significant drop in its number of new partners.

Olswang secures departing Linklaters IP team in Germany

Charlotte Edmond, contributor — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 10:18:00 -0400

Olswang has hired an eight-lawyer team from Linklaters as the fall-out from the magic circle firm's German restructuring continues. Linklaters partners Stefan Lutje and Georg von Wallis join Olswang's Berlin office as partners in the media, communications and technology (MCT) practice. They are joined by Viola Bensinger, who will become a partner on joining the firm, and five associates.

Olswang makes up record 10 to partnership

Charlotte Edmond, contributor — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 11:59:00 -0400

Olswang is set to break through the 100-partner barrier for the first time after unveiling its largest round of partner promotions to date. The top 20 City firm is promoting 10 of its associates to the partnership with effect from 1 May, in what represents its largest batch of promotions since the firm's foundation in 1981.

Olswang continues corporate growth with hire of heavyweight AIM specialist

Charlotte Edmond, contributor — Wed, 6 Feb 2008 23:10:00 -0500

Olswang has moved to ramp up its equity capital markets (ECM) practice with the hire of Faegre & Benson's London head and respected Alternative Investment Market (AIM) practitioner Max Audley.Audley, who led the US law firm's London office and City corporate group, joined Olswang this week as a partner. He will work to build up the City firm's ECM group, having led a well-regarded initial public offering practice at Faegre.

Olswang finance push lures Sidley partner

Charlotte Edmond, contributor — Wed, 5 Dec 2007 01:03:00 -0500

Olswang has hired Sidley Austin partner Steve Clark, as the top 30 City firm looks to give more prominence to its finance practice. Clark, who specialises in acquisition and real estate finance, joined Olswang as a partner from Sidley's City arm earlier this week.

Herbies only top firm to hold market share in client rankings

Charlotte Edmond, contributor — Sat, 1 Dec 2007 21:03:00 -0500

Herbert Smith has enjoyed a strong showing in Hemscott's quarterly rankings of advisers to listed clients, finishing as the only top firm to improve its market share. The top 10 City firm managed to edge up its number of listed clients to 77 to finish eight in the UK rankings, while the rest of the top 15 firms saw their number of stock market clients drop.

Olswang set to make 10 redundancies in property

Charlotte Edmond, contributor — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 05:53:00 -0500

Olswang is set to axe 10 people from its real estate department including five associates, as it moves to restructure the practice. The City firm announced today (16 November) that it is in consultation to make five associates redundant, while five secretarial staff in its property practice have opted to take voluntary redundancy.

Olswang partners usher in new generation of practice leaders

Charlotte Edmond, contributor — Wed, 7 Nov 2007 23:54:00 -0500

Olswang has elected a new generation of practice group heads as well as creating a standalone finance department. The shake-up has seen the City firm appoint new leaders to three of its five departments.

Olswang and LG add BDO string to their bow

Charlotte Edmond, contributor — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 23:49:00 -0400

Olswang and LG have taken the lead on accountant BDO Stoy Hayward's acquisition of tax advisory firm Chiltern. Olswang advised regular client BDO, under corporate partner Tony Leifer, assisted by corporate associate Andrew Stott. LG was instructed by Chiltern, fielding a team under corporate partner Hugh Maule and corporate associate Stephen Richards.

Olswang hires Slaughters consultant for IP boost

Charlotte Edmond, contributor — Mon, 14 May 2007 06:56:00 -0400

Olswang has bolstered its intellectual property (IP) capability with the hire of Slaughter and May consultant Jeremy Phillips. He joins Olswang on 1 June as an IP consultant, having previously held academic posts at a number of universities. Phillips is currently the research director and a council member of the Intellectual Property Institute, as well as a visiting professor to the World Intellectual Property Organisation. He also founded the magazines Trademark World, Patent World, Copyright World and Managing Intellectual Property.

Stewart to lead Olswang in post-Goldstein era

Georgina Stanley, staff — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 12:05:00 -0400

Olswang has named international strategy head David Stewart as its new managing partner in a shake-up of the firm's senior management, as the City outfit moves to fill the shoes of outgoing chief executive Jonathan Goldstein. The changes will see Stewart take over as managing partner from 1 May, with chief operating officer (COO) Kevin Munslow stepping up to chief executive. Both appointments carry three-year terms and are effective from 1 May.

Camerons, Olswang lose tech partners to Fujitsu

Charlotte Edmond, contributor — Mon, 2 Apr 2007 06:03:00 -0400

Fujitsu Services has bolstered its ranks of internal legal advisers after hiring partners from City firms Olswang and CMS Cameron McKenna. The IT supplier has already bagged Camerons technology, media and telecoms (TMT) head David Roberts and is set to hire Olswang IT partner Clive Davies next month.

Olswang confirms LongAcre sale after MBO

Charlotte Edmond, contributor — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 08:04:00 -0400

Olswang has sold its stake in its corporate finance advisory arm, LongAcre Partners, for an undisclosed sum. LongAcre chief executive officer and media financier Jonnie Goodwin has led a management buy-out that could see Olswang pocket a seven-figure sum.

Olswang ups private equity capabilities

Charlotte Edmond, contributor — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 00:43:00 -0400

Olswang has raided Taylor Wessing for partner Richard Clifton to boost its private equity team.Clifton joined Olswang as a partner on Monday (19 March), having been a partner at Taylor Wessing since 2002. He specialises in technology, media and telecoms, as well as real estate and general corporate work. Clifton's hire takes the number of partners in the firm's private equity team to seven.

Olswang hands India role to leisure head Roberts

Charlotte Edmond, contributor — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 11:09:00 -0500

Olswang head of leisure David Roberts has been named as the new head of the City firm's India practice following the departure of Toby Greenbury to Mishcon de Reya. Roberts will take on Greenbury's role, which previously focussed on developing Olswang's relationships with other law firms, as well as banks and corporates in India.

Goldstein quits Olswang top role for client

Charlotte Edmond, contributor — Mon, 5 Feb 2007 10:48:00 -0500

Olswang's high-profile head Jonathan Goldstein is to step down as chief executive to become joint managing director of property client Heron International. Goldstein, whose term ends in April, has been chief executive of Olswang since 1998, having joined the firm in 1992. In that time he has become one of the City's best-known law firm leaders after shooting to prominence for taking Olswang's helm while still in his early thirties.

Prowling banks move to take legal top 50 to stock market

Georgina Stanley, staff — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 00:03:00 -0500

Some of the worlds top banks have begun wooing major UK law firms as investment targets, as the legal profession gears up for sweeping regulatory reforms. Leading investment banks including Goldman Sachs and Rothschild, as well as a host of smaller houses, such as investment manager Fleming Family & Partners, are understood to have contacted a range of major City firms in the run-up to Christmas to gauge their interest in outside investment.

Business confidence hits record heights

Charlotte Edmond, contributor — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 19:36:00 -0500

Legal Weeks quarterly business confidence survey reveals a record number of lawyers predicting double-digit revenue growth for 2007, as optimism in the City continues to soar. Charlotte Edmond reports on the latest Big Question survey

Milliondollarhomepage.com founder calls on Olswang to help launch latest venture

Charlotte Edmond, contributor — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 19:03:00 -0500

Legal Week reports

Olswang closes deal double as Halabi shakes up portfolio

Ben Wheway, contributor — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 19:00:00 -0500

Roles on City property refinancing and Esporta purchase mark good week for Olswang

Olswang hits corporate note on music marketing buy-out

Charlotte Edmond, contributor — Wed, 1 Nov 2006 19:03:00 -0500

Universal hands first corporate mandate to Olswang as firm pushes for media deal work

Commentary: One firm's golden goose is another's poisoned chalice

Georgina Stanley, staff — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 20:03:00 -0400

London's top firms are withdrawing from IP - but can the ambitious mid-tier do much better?

Nabarros bumps Olswang off Paddington role

Georgina Stanley, staff — Wed, 27 Sep 2006 20:03:00 -0400

Legal Week reports

Top law firms pick up major mandates as race to win Olympics work gathers pace

Charlotte Edmond, contributor — Wed, 6 Sep 2006 20:03:00 -0400

London's success in the race to host the 2012 Olympics has resulted in an increasing flow of substantial work for the UK's top law firms. Charlotte Edmond reports on the results of the latest Big Question survey