Birmingham law firm Shakespeare Putsman and 17-partner Nottingham law firm Berryman are set to merge, creating a £30m Midlands practice.

The tie-up, which will take place on 1 November, will create a new law firm employing 440 staff across the East and West Midlands, including almost 60 partners.

The deal follows Shakespeare Putsman’s merger with Stratford-based firm Needham & James this July, which formed a firm with combined revenues of £24m.

Despite the merger deals, both Berryman and Needham & James will continue to operate under their own names.

Shakespeare Putsman chief executive Paul Wilson commented: “The economic climate and the Legal Services Act have made the legal market place increasingly complex and competitive. By merging, the two firms cement their position in the Midlands legal marketplace. The merger also creates the platform for major investment in our people, infrastructure and branding.”

He added: “Berryman has an excellent reputation in Nottingham and the East Midlands. It has long held a very strong position as a pioneering, dynamic and ambitious law firm in the region. These like-minded characteristics make this merger an ideal fit. As a combined firm we will aim to retain and hire the best Midlands talent.”

Shakespeare Putsman was formed in April 2007 with the merger of Shakespeare and Putsman.

View Legal Jobs in the Midlands

Source: Legal Week

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HBJ Gateley Wareing has signed up for new office space in Manchester following the acquisition of 200 staff and lawyers from the now-defunct Halliwells.

HBJ Gateley is set to move from its current location at 3 Hardman Square – where it has operated since its Manchester launch at the end of July – to Ship Canal House on King Street.

The  law firm will take 31,000 sq ft of space over four floors from next month (25 September), after deciding against keeping on the former Halliwells base at Spinningfields, which is understood to have too high a rental price.

As part of the break-up and sale of Halliwells, HBJ Gateley paid the Royal Bank of Scotland £2.55m to acquire 200 staff and lawyers, including 38 partners.

The staff joining from Halliwells include lawyers in banking and finance, corporate, real estate, litigation, corporate recovery, intellectual property, employment, family, pensions and construction.

HBJ Gateley Manchester head Rod Waldie said: “We are delighted to announce that we will be moving to new premises in Manchester, which is one of the city’s very best business locations.

He added: “The building has recently been completely refurbished and HBJ Gateley will become the largest occupier. The space includes at third floor level the listed boardrooms which were originally used by The Ship Canal Company and which will now form a very impressive reception area and seminar room for the firm.”

HBJ Gateley now has seven UK offices, in Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leicester, London, Manchester and Nottingham as well as a base in Dubai.

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Source : Legal Week

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Eversheds has begun its fifth round of redundancies in two years, with up to 100 roles under review as the firm prepares to outsource back office functions to Accenture.

A consultation process has already begun which could affect 100 jobs in finance and human resources across Eversheds’ Birmingham, Cardiff and Leeds offices.

Over the next 12 months, Accenture is likely to assume responsibility for Eversheds’ HR support services and administration, general accounting functions, billing and collections, and business processes involved from procurement to payment.

The firm stated that the preferred outcome will see a “gradual and controlled movement of HR and finance functions” to offshore offices.

The news comes after the UK top 10 firm brought in the consultancy at the beginning of the year to review its systems and processes in a bid to streamline and improve back office systems.

Eversheds managing partner Lee Ranson led the project alongside finance director Kathryn Fleming and head of HR Angus MacGregor.

Ranson commented: “It is important that any major law firm continues to adapt in line with changes in both our sector and the wider marketplace.”

He added: “We have worked over the last eight months to look at how best to deliver some of our HR and finance functions. This proposal would enable us to put in place a cost-efficient, innovative and robust solution, which safeguards quality and enhances client service.

“It is always regrettable when potential redundancies are a part of such a process and we will of course be consulting with all those members of staff who may be affected by this announcement.

“The proposals are to retain impacted staff for a minimum of six months to assist with transition. Those affected will be offered enhanced redundancy terms and comprehensive outplacement support.”

This is the fifth round of redundancies the firm has conducted since September 2008, with the last round of cuts coming in September last year, when 117 roles were reviewed including 22 fee earners in the firm’s real estate practice.

Source : Legal Week

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183rd Annual Dinner

This is the most traditional and prestigious black tie event in the Liverpool Legal calendar.  Members of Liverpool Law Society and their guests enjoy a drinks’ reception followed by a five course meal. 

Liverpoool Law Society is pleased to announce the guest speakers will be:

The President, Vice President and eminent guest speakers will address the audience.  With a top table of 50, composed of members from the judiciary, heads of professional associations, presidents of local Law Societies, representatives from The Law Society, representatives from academia, the Lord Mayor and other civic leaders and dignitaries, this event is not to be missed.

Newly Qualified Solicitors’ Ceremony

Solicitors qualifying between the period 1st November 2009 – 31st December 2010 from member firms are invited to attend an evening at Liverpool Law Society offices to celebrate their success in entering the legal profession.

The evening will commence with a drinks and canapes reception and each newly qualified will receive a certificate to celebrate their achievement. Up to two guests each are permitted for a nominal charge of £5 plus VAT.

If you are interested in booking please contact socialevents@liverpoollawsociety.org.uk

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Halliwells executive chairman Ian Austin is set to join Heatons as the Manchester law firm’s new head of commercial litigation.

Austin, who will take up his new post at Heatons this week, has held various senior roles at Halliwells, including managing partner and litigation head.

He was named executive chairman last September after the firm overhauled its senior management structure, a move Austin said was prompted by the need for “more resources to manage a firm the size of Halliwells”.

Commenting on his decision to join Heatons, Austin said: “Having now returned to a full-time fee earning role, I am looking forward to strengthening Heatons’ commercial litigation practice. This is a new challenge and I can’t wait to get started.”

Heatons managing partner Matt Fleetwood said: “This is a significant appointment for the firm. Ian is a first-rate litigator with a strong client following and vast experience. He is ideally placed to head our commercial litigation team and to help with the strategic development of the firm.”

Austin replaces Lee Dunnill, who has joined Manchester’s Berg Legal as a litigation partner.

Halliwells last week filed a second notice of intention to appoint an administrator, which will allow the firm until 20 July to conclude any potential deals with other firms to sell off its assets and avoid going into administration.

The troubled firm is currently in talks with a number of interested parties, including Barlow Lyde & Gilbert, Hill Dickinson, HBJ Gately Wareing, DWF and Keoghs.

Source : Legal Week

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A new report claims that trainee solicitors are the top graduate earners.

The Association of Graduate Recruiters has reported that law firms offer the highest median starting salaries for law graduates, an impressive £36,500. That’s up from £35,000 last year, and apparently overtakes investment banks and fund managers.

And the happy times are expected to continue. Not only are the firms marking themselves out with bumper salaries, but these are expected to increase by 4.3% over the next year. That’s in start contrast to the banks and funds, which actually expect to drop salaries by 8.5%.

Of course these surveys need to be taken with a hefty pinch of sodium chloride. On 30 June, the FT reported research showing that junior investment bankers’ salaries had jumped 10% to £42,000 – which would put them way out in the lead. But whatever way the figures are spun, there’s no doubt that coffee procurement, reprographic facilitation and proof-reading is going to continue to pay well for trainee solicitors in the City.

Source : Roll on Friday

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In the light of its increased profits, Allen & Overy has announced new bonus guidelines for its associates – and, to thank staff for their efforts during the economic downturn, an extra day’s holiday all round.

It’s a big change from last year when A&O laid off staff as deal flow collapsed. But now, with green shoots emerging underfoot, it’s payback time. A spokesman said that the firm was ”pleased to be able to lift the salary freeze earlier this year and, as a further small gesture of our thanks to everyone for their hard work and dedication over the past 18 months, we are awarding staff an extra day’s holiday.“

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I just wanted to let you know about the next two social events that the Manchester Law Society are holding before they sell out.  I didn’t want you to miss out on the chance of a fabulous meal, wonderful company and hopefully, on the world cup event, the right score!

Please let me know if you would like to attend, either on your own or with guests and I will make sure that I reserve place/s for you.

I do hope you will be able to join me at either one (or both) of the events.

If you want to discuss this further or require any more information please don’t hesitate to contact me either on my mobile, 07977 748450 or via e-mail.

Fran Eccles-Bech

Manchester Law Society, 64 Bridge Street, Manchester, M3 3BN. 

DX 14378 Manchester 1

Telephone:  0161 831 7337

Direct Line:   0161 241 7470

Fax:  0161 839 2631

www.manchesterlawsociety.org.uk

Manchester Professionals Dinner The Restaurant Bar & Grill Monday 17th May 2010

Application FormWorld Cup Event 18th June, 2010 Application Form

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