Government

Review of 48-strong Govt legal panel pushed back by 11 months

By Friederike Heine | June 22, 2011

The Government has pushed back a closely watched review of the panel set up to centralise Whitehall's legal spending for almost a year, it has emerged. Office of Government Commerce agency Buying Solutions has confirmed that the review of its 48-strong legal panel – formerly 
known as Catalist – has been delayed by 11 months after it originally kicked off in September last year.

1 minute read

The Vickers report - a very British compromise

By Sofia Lind | April 21, 2011

Officially, the Vickers report on UK banking reform was met with the cold shoulder by City lawyers last week but, in many ways, the initial proposals seemed an ideal outcome for banking advisers. The Independent Commission on Banking (ICB) was set up by the coalition Government last year to examine reforms to reduce systemic risk in the banking system and "to investigate the complex issue of separating retail and investment banking in a sustainable way". Despite being billed as considering radical steps to tackle the excesses of banking, the ICB's initial recommendations were widely viewed as modest, leading the share price of a number of large UK banks to rise on the day of their announcement on 11 April.

1 minute read

MoJ cost savings spark fears of widespread job losses

By Claire Ruckin | August 11, 2010

A third of the Ministry of Justice's (MoJ) 80,000 staff could see their jobs at risk under plans to cut £2bn from the department's annual budget, a union has warned. The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) has expressed fears that £2bn of the MoJ's £9bn budget will be axed within the first two years of the next spending review, which will be announced on 20 October. The union fears that 15,000 of the MoJ's 80,000 staff could be at risk of losing their jobs under the cuts, which it says are the equivalent of the entire budget for prisons.

1 minute read

The public life

By Legal Week | July 13, 2009

The public sector is enjoying a spell of popularity - both among out-of-work City lawyers looking for jobs and partners hoping to drum up business from a sector still with some money to spend.

1 minute read

Public and regulatory law: At your service

By Legal Week | June 18, 2009

As City law firms cut jobs and freeze pay levels, the public sector has become an increasingly attractive option to lawyers. Part of the allure is, no doubt, the relative security offered by government employers. But that's not the whole story. City associates who are tired of handling repetitive tasks such as due diligence and document review have long looked enviously at the more challenging work carried out by their peers in government bodies such as the Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform (BERR) and the Treasury Solicitor's Office, but shied away from moving because of the carrot of law firm partnership and higher salaries. However, with uncertainty about future employment prospects – let alone partnership prospects – rife, increasing numbers have begun to consider a move into public service roles.

1 minute read

National Law Journal

Squire Patton Boggs Taps Ex-Trump Economic Official for Public Policy Team

By Abigail Adcox | June 20, 2023

Everett Eissenstat most recently served as chair of North America and global trade lead for Edelman Global Advisory. Previously, he was senior vice president of global public policy at General Motors.

3 minute read

Daily Business Review

Shutts & Bowen Hires Former Florida Supreme Court Justice After Brief Stint at Insurer

By Alexander Lugo | June 16, 2023

Justice Ricky Polston stepped down from the high court at the end of March and immediately went to work as general counsel at Citizens Property Insurance, Florida's not-for-profit insurer of last resort.

3 minute read

The Legal Intelligencer

Cannabis Practices Foresee Business Boom as Pa. Eyes Legal Recreational Pot

By Amanda O'Brien | June 16, 2023

Sens. Dan Laughlin, R-49, and Sharif Street, D-3, announced the bipartisan legislation in May, and approval is a possibility in the fall.

4 minute read

Daily Business Review

Litigators Weigh In After Surfside Condo Collapse Triggers Call for Enhanced Building Inspections

By Lisa Willis | June 16, 2023

"As litigators, we're looking to see what the causes are for the failure, and based on that, who do you point the finger to?" said David Hawthorne, a partner at Pathman Schermer Tandy in Miami.

5 minute read

New York Law Journal

Trump Lawyers Urge Judge to Keep Manhattan DA's Criminal Case in Federal Court

By Jane Wester | June 16, 2023

Trump removed the case to the Southern District of New York in early May, weeks after he was indicted on 34 counts of falsifying business counts in connection with an alleged scheme to pay hush money to the adult film actress Stormy Daniels. The former president pleaded not guilty.

3 minute read

Daily Business Review

Third DCA Sanctions Miami Lawyer But Avoids Underpinning Issues

By Michael A. Mora | June 16, 2023

"All of these issues are central to the bar and bench in Florida, all are surfaced in Yeyille v. Speigel, and all remain unresolved to the detriment of the rule of law," said Anthony V. Alfieri of the University of Miami School of Law, who is not involved in the litigation.

4 minute read

Daily Business Review

Brace for Insurance Lawsuits as Florida Casts Wider Net in Investigations

By Lisa Willis | June 16, 2023

Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis said the state is broadening its investigation into alleged insurance fraud.

6 minute read

Connecticut Law Tribune

Connecticut Supreme Court Divided on Interpretation of Election Law

By Emily Cousins | June 16, 2023

"We will not lightly overturn election results, especially not on the basis of such simplistic logic and unsupported inferences," the Supreme Court said.

4 minute read

New Jersey Law Journal

New Leader Named to Key Court Position

By Charles Toutant | June 16, 2023

"I am honored to be in a position to make a difference in people's lives and I look forward to continuing the legacy of integrity and dedication set by my predecessor, Robert Tracy," the incoming trial court administrator said.

2 minute read

The Legal Intelligencer

'A Step in the Right Direction': Law Firm Leaders Find Promise in Phila. Tax Cuts

By Amanda O'Brien | June 16, 2023

The cuts to the city's business income and receipts tax and wage tax are minor, but they suggest political leaders recognize the need to present a more business-friendly environment.

4 minute read