http://www.legalweek.com/Marketing, media, new media, advertising and design jobs, news and information.© Copyright and database rights Incisive Media PLC 2008en-gbFri, 16 May 2008 17:59:00 GMT60http://www.legalweek.com/Articles/1126985/Article.htmlhttp://www.legalweek.com/Articles/1126985/Article.htmlSkadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom has announced that executive partner Bob Sheehan is to step down in April 2009, after 15 years in the US giant’s top management role. The 43-year-old New York M&A partner Eric Friedman will take over when Sheehan stands down at the end of his third five-year term.charlie.wright@legalweek.comFri, 16 May 2008 17:05:00 GMThttp://www.legalweek.com/Articles/1126916/Article.htmlhttp://www.legalweek.com/Articles/1126916/Article.htmlThe QC appointments process for 2008 has got off to a rocky start after it was revealed this week that applications for the elite kitemark have fallen by more than a quarter from last year’s figure. A total of 247 applications have been received by the QC Appointments Panel this year after the deadlines for applications passed on 3 April. The figure represents a drop of around 26% from last year’s total of 333 applications, which itself was down from 443 in the 2006 round.charlie.wright@legalweek.comFri, 16 May 2008 15:41:00 GMThttp://www.legalweek.com/Articles/1126768/Article.htmlhttp://www.legalweek.com/Articles/1126768/Article.htmlNorton Rose has frozen pay for newly-qualified lawyers (NQs) at last year’s levels but has fast-tracked 25 associates to higher rates under its new three-tier pay scale, the City firm said today (16 May). NQs at the firm will continue to pocket annual pay of £63,500 following the announcement, which comes after Norton Rose earlier this week posted annual revenues of £297m – up 27% from last year.charlie.wright@legalweek.comFri, 16 May 2008 15:40:00 GMThttp://www.legalweek.com/Articles/1126923/Article.htmlhttp://www.legalweek.com/Articles/1126923/Article.htmlA former Radcliffes LeBrasseur partner has been struck off the solicitors’ roll after stealing approximately £223,000 from clients’ accounts. Paul Saffron, a former insolvency partner at the Westminster-based firm, was struck off following a hearing in front of a Solicitors’ Disciplinary Tribunal last week (8 May).charlie.wright@legalweek.comFri, 16 May 2008 15:35:00 GMThttp://www.legalweek.com/Articles/1126887/Article.htmlhttp://www.legalweek.com/Articles/1126887/Article.htmlDorsey & Whitney plans to open an office in Sydney later this year, with London-based capital markets partner John Chrisman set to transfer to Australia to head up the new branch. According to the US firm, the office will be staffed by a handful of US capital markets lawyers and will provide an additional base for serving clients in Asian markets, including India and the Greater China region.charlie.wright@legalweek.comFri, 16 May 2008 14:27:00 GMThttp://www.legalweek.com/Articles/1126818/Article.htmlhttp://www.legalweek.com/Articles/1126818/Article.htmlCommercial partner Peter Valert has taken over as managing partner of DLA Piper’s Prague office. Valert – who also heads up the firm’s 12-laywer Sofia office and leads the Central & Eastern European (CEE) technology, media and commercial practice – replaces Joerg Nuernberger in the management role.charlie.wright@legalweek.comFri, 16 May 2008 11:43:00 GMThttp://www.legalweek.com/Articles/1126665/Article.htmlhttp://www.legalweek.com/Articles/1126665/Article.htmlSolicitor General Paul Clement, who led the courtroom defense of the Bush administration's anti-terror legal policies, announced Wednesday he is leaving his job on 2 June. Clement argued 49 cases before the Supreme Court in the last seven years and was viewed as probably the most valued "catch" from the Bush Justice Department, with law firm managing partners guessing he could attract a $2m or $3m package. Details about his next step were not immediately forthcoming from Clement.charlie.wright@legalweek.comFri, 16 May 2008 09:30:00 GMThttp://www.legalweek.com/Articles/1126848/Article.htmlhttp://www.legalweek.com/Articles/1126848/Article.htmlThe five most popular articles on legalweek.com today; plus the pick of the day's posts; Philippe Sands QC on the Guantanamo abuses in Legal Village; and morecharlie.wright@legalweek.comFri, 16 May 2008 08:00:00 GMThttp://www.legalweek.com/Articles/1126338/Article.htmlhttp://www.legalweek.com/Articles/1126338/Article.htmlLovells has become the latest firm to unveil double-digit growth in both turnover and profits per equity partner (PEP). Preliminary results for 2007-08 show the firm’s turnover jumped by 13% to £479m, up from £425m last year. PEP saw a similar percentage increase, jumping by around 12% from £592,000 to £662,000.Ben WhewayThu, 15 May 2008 15:50:00 GMThttp://www.legalweek.com/Articles/1126393/Article.htmlhttp://www.legalweek.com/Articles/1126393/Article.htmlBerwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has been reappointed to the main corporate panel of global engineering company AMEC alongside City giant Linklaters and national heavyweight Pinsent Masons. The trio will advise the FTSE 100-listed company on all its M&A and corporate finance work.charlie.wright@legalweek.comThu, 15 May 2008 15:40:00 GMThttp://www.legalweek.com/Articles/1126390/Article.htmlhttp://www.legalweek.com/Articles/1126390/Article.htmlEversheds has become the latest firm to post double-digit growth in both turnover and profits per equity partner (PEP) after the national giant announced its latest financial results today (15 May). Revenue at the top 10 UK firm jumped by 10% over the last 12 months, from £356m in 2006-07 to £390m for the most recent financial year.charlie.wright@legalweek.comThu, 15 May 2008 15:39:00 GMThttp://www.legalweek.com/Articles/1126391/Article.htmlhttp://www.legalweek.com/Articles/1126391/Article.htmlSJ Berwin has announced a 14% hike in turnoverSJ Berwin has announced a 14% hike in turnover, taking it through the £200m barrier for the first time. However, average profits per equity partner (PEP) stayed virtually static. The top 20 UK firm said today (15 May) that revenues hit £215m for the 2007-08 financial year, up from £189m last year. In contrast, PEP only rose by just over 2% to £801,000 up from £782,000 last year.charlie.wright@legalweek.comThu, 15 May 2008 15:35:00 GMThttp://www.legalweek.com/Articles/1126344/Article.htmlhttp://www.legalweek.com/Articles/1126344/Article.htmlBoston-based law firm Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge has launched a new European patent practice based at its London office. The new venture will operate as a separate UK limited liability partnership called EAPD Innovations and will be headed up by Candi Soames, who joins the firm as a partner from patent firm D Young & Co.charlie.wright@legalweek.comThu, 15 May 2008 12:27:00 GMThttp://www.legalweek.com/Articles/1126086/Article.htmlhttp://www.legalweek.com/Articles/1126086/Article.htmlWhite & Case has become the latest firm to announce increases to its associate salaries, with the US firm unveiling rises of 2.1% for its junior lawyers. A newly-qualified solicitor (NQ) at the US giant will now earn £78,000 – an increase of £2,000 on the previous year’s figure of £76,000.charlie.wright@legalweek.comThu, 15 May 2008 08:59:00 GMThttp://www.legalweek.com/Articles/1125793/Article.htmlhttp://www.legalweek.com/Articles/1125793/Article.htmlCity 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.lauraThu, 15 May 2008 06:02:00 GMT