International law firm launches tool to hook clients
Simmons & Simmons has unveiled a new resource which it hopes will lead to future clients in the hedge fund sector. LaunchPlus has been developed with start-up hedge funds in mind and builds on the firm’s wide experience of the sector having advised many of Europe’s major funds. The resources available include online guides, access to experts and planning tools. It is hosted on the firm’s elexica.com free resource platform although the new hedge fund tools are only available to existing clients.
New global management appointments at Reed Smith
Reed Smith has announced two new appointments to its global administrative management. Lucy Dillon becomes chief knowledge officer having joined from a similar role at Berwin Leighton Paisner and will be based in the London office. Meanwhile in Pittsburgh Steven W. Agnoli becomes the chief information officer; he joins the firm from pharma firm Mylen. Commenting on the new global roles COO Gary Sokulski said that the CKO and CIO positions are becoming increasingly important to the success of an international law firm.
Clyde & Co launches new international arbitration group
Clyde & Co has launched a new international arbitration group. Based in London the team is the firm’s response to increased demand for specialist advice and will work closely with the firm’s arbitration practices around its global offices. The group will be co-chaired by Peter Hirst and Ben Knowles who will lead a team of five partners.
Thirteen partners to leave Olswang in Germany
Olswang will consolidate its German practice in Munich later this year and has announced that 13 equity partners are to leave its current Berlin office along with colleagues. However the agreement that has been reached means that as Olswang is focusing on its TMT practice in Europe and Asia, the departing team will be able to build their corporate and finance practice under a new brand.
FIFA execs hire law firms to defend against Swiss bank probe
Two executives from football’s governing body FIFA have hired law firms to defend them against a Swiss probe into bank transactions. Reuters reports that FIFA has confirmed that Sepp Blatter has retained McGuireWoods chair Richard Cullen while and his second in command Jerome Valcke has hired attorney Barry Berke. The Swiss investigation was launched alongside that of the US regulator. Blatter has not been accused of any wrongdoing in the US while neither have been individually targeted in the Swiss probe but prosecutors have said they may want to speak to them during the investigation.
