Media Mentions
2010
Richard Mitchell was interviewed by the BBC’s “Business Day” (February 26) regarding the growing practice of global companies filing for bankruptcy or insolvency in the countries where it is most advantageous to do so (for example, to take advantage of “pre-packaged administration” in the UK). The practice illustrates that insolvency laws have not kept up with the global nature of business. “As finance has globalized it has effectively outrun the legal boundaries with which it grew up,” Mr. Mitchell stated. “We now have global companies with complex global financial arrangements that are confronted by quite different legal requirements in different countries, which makes the process very complicated and difficult to deal with.”
Richard Mitchell, Banking and Finance - London, Finance & Banking, London, Restructuring & Insolvency
Hugh Nineham was quoted on February 8 by The Lawyer in an extensive story about McDermott’s London office. Describing the office as “a group of people who get on with each other and want to work with each other,” Mr. Nineham said that a primary focus of the new strategic plan and business unit organization is that the Firm is “determined to integrate all the lawyers into the practice groups internationally.” He noted that “this is all still a work in progress … [but] we now have a sense of direction and purpose,” and added concerning the new strategy and organization: “We’re not planning to be all things to everybody.… We’re looking to identify core strengths that we can scale, that can be profitable and international.”
Hugh Nineham was recognized by The Lawyer and Legal Week (both on January 20) for his new roles as the first region-wide head of McDermott’s European practice and as a member of the Firm’s Executive Committee. He also continues to lead McDermott’s London office. Mr. Nineham said to The Lawyer that as an Executive Committee member “I’m not ‘representing’ Europe or lobbying only for that part of the practice’s interests, but I’m ensuring I’m bringing a European perspective to the deliberations.” To Legal Week Mr. Nineham added that “it is a new move for the Firm to have someone sitting on the Executive Committee who has specific European responsibilities. The move will help us focus on the region in terms of Firm-wide integration, profitability and growth.”
Hugh Nineham, Corporate, London
Benoît Keane and Francesco Savino were authors of a 2010 Entertainment Law Review article that discussed a report by an Independent Advisory Panel to the UK Secretary of State for Culture Media concerning which sporting events should be listed for showing on free-to-air television. Mr. Keane and Mr. Savino wrote that the review panel adopted an antiquated approach and "missed an opportunity to take account of modern market conditions by making a distinction between the elements which are important to UK society and those which are not." Their article was subsequently cited in a House of Commons Report on this issue, which quotes the examples of sporting events given in the article, and notes the authors' comment on the "damaging impact listing has for competition and the value of such events for funding sport."
Benoît Keane, Francesco Savino, Antitrust & Competition, Brussels, International Antitrust & Competition, London
2009
John Rhie was quoted on December 2 by Global Arbitration Review in a story about a UK judge’s rejection of an attempt by two ship owners to collect on arbitration awards against Mr. Rhie’s client, a South Korean company. The judge held that the doctrine of separability in arbitration clauses did not apply equally to jurisdiction clauses, which Mr. Rhie said highlights the different standards English courts will use in applying the doctrine of separability for litigation. He stated that parties in UK arbitrations who were accustomed to believe that this doctrine was fundamental “should be aware that this certainly is not the case for English litigation cases, at least at the jurisdiction stage.”
John Rhie, Litigation - London, London, Trial
Hugh Nineham was recognized in a number of media outlets for his appointment to head McDermott’s London office. Succeeding Doron Ezickson, who returns to full-time practice as leader of the Firm’s international energy and commodities practice, Mr. Nineham stated, “I look forward to continuing Doron’s work to highlight the development and integration of the London practices with others across the Firm, and to focus on the areas that are key to us …” Covering the announcement on October 9 were “The Churn” feature of AmLaw Daily, Law and More and The Lawyer.
Doron F. Ezickson, Hugh Nineham, Corporate, Government Strategies, London
Stefan Schmitz was quoted in the May 2009 issue of Legal Business concerning the prospects for the renewable energy market in Europe. Commenting on renewable energy use requirements, Mr. Schmitz declared that "the EU will remain a strong market because the targets can't be abandoned. In fact, renewables is one of the few, if not the only, growing markets at the moment."
Stefan Schmitz, Corporate, Corporate - London, London
Rick Mitchell discussed in an April 2009 International Financial Law Review article the negotiation of exchange offers by companies that need short-term cash and debt restructuring. "An exchange offer cuts through all jurisdictional conflicts because it is not a compulsory proceeding like an insolvency – it's entirely consensual," he explained. "It's super-charged cash, because you're not only reducing your debt, you're changing the terms of that debt." He added that exchange offers are likely to become more common. "We'll start to see people who are clever, and courageous in some cases, buying in at 15 cents on the dollar and selling to the company at 30."
Richard Mitchell, Banking and Finance - London, Corporate, Corporate - London, Finance & Banking, London, Restructuring & Insolvency
2008
Andrew Watson was quoted in the March 13 edition of Legal Week in relation to a Greek infrastructure project that McDermott Will & Emery advised on. Mr Watson said, "The Greeks have been shown where our PPPs went wrong, ironed any issues out and have really taken to the model. So far it has worked well."
Andrew Watson, Banking and Finance - London, Global Energy & Infrastructure Projects, London
Paul-Michael Rebus was quoted in the February 18 issue of Total Securitization regarding the decision by Standard Chartered to no longer provide liquidity support to its Whistlejacket structured investment vehicle. The SIV went into receivership after breaching its capital value trigger. "It seems probable that they will liquidate and start selling off the assets at fire-sale prices. Therefore, it seems fair to make the assumption that the investors are going to end up losing money, along with a lot of service providers down the line," said Mr. Rebus.
Paul-Michael Rebus, London, Structured Finance - London
Paul-Michael Rebus was quoted in the January 2008 issue of International Securitization Report in relation to the downturn in the ABS sector. However there is anecdotal evidence that the market is gearing for a comeback, with Mr. Rebus commenting on the success of the London team. Mr. Rebus said "We've been working on a number of different types of transactions including restructuring SIV's on behalf of capital noteholders, restructuring a number of European multiseller ABCP conduits and doing a number of synthetic based securitization structures."
Paul-Michael Rebus, London, Securitisation - London, Structured Finance - London
2007
Juliet Blanch, head of the Firm's International Dispute Resolution Group, was ranked 15 out of the top 30 female arbitrators globally by the Global Arbitration Review. The rankings were based on the weighted votes of top arbitrators practicing around the world.
Juliet Blanch, International Dispute Avoidance and Resolution, London, Trial
Juliet Blanch was quoted in the October issue of Legal Business in recognition of being one of the 50 most influential women in the UK legal market. Ms. Blanch emphasized that in the past, women had to believe in themselves. "I never made the mistake of trying to be more boyish than the boys...I learned quickly that you could be true to yourself and succeed," she said. The article also addressed the benefit of diversity in firms, indicating that in one case, opposing [male] counsel watched Ms. Blanch's approach to interviewing traumatized witnesses and "was convinced that he should always have a female lawyer present."
Rick Mitchell, Uwe Goetker, Norbert Schulte, Dirk Pohl, Volker Teigelkotter, Georgia Quenby and Razia Begum were mentioned in the August issue of Juve Rechtsmarkt regarding the advise of the owner of the Group, Dr Alfred Schefenacker on all aspects of the consensual restructuring of the Schefenacker Group.
Uwe Goetker, Richard Mitchell, Dirk Pohl, Georgia Quenby, Norbert Schulte, Volker Teigelkötter, Corporate, Employee Benefits & Pensions, Germany, London, Tax
Uwe Goetker, Norbert Schulte, Rick Mitchell, Georgia Quenby, Dirk Pohl and Volker Teigelkotter were mentioned in the July 11 issue of Börsenzeitung regarding the representation of Dr. Alfred Schefenacker, owner of the Schefenacker Group, in connection with the Group's comprehensive financial and operational restructuring.
Uwe Goetker, Richard Mitchell, Dirk Pohl, Georgia Quenby, Norbert Schulte, Volker Teigelkötter, Corporate, Employee Benefits & Pensions, Germany, London, Tax
Alison Wetherfield was quoted in the April 17 issue of PersonnelToday in an article on a teachers’ union threatening legal action over the growing trend of "cyber-bullying. The new law would help teachers to require their employers to take this sort of behaviour seriously," Ms. Wetherfield said.
Alison Wetherfield, Employee Benefits & Pensions, Employment - London, London
Peter Nias was quoted in an April 12 article on Times online that discussed the increasing pressures senior lawyers are facing due to keen competition and technology. "There's an expectation with e-mail that once you've pressed send, [the lawyer] is there to receive it," Mr. Nias said.
Peter Nias was listed on The Times Law Panel of 100 lawyers published on January 16. The Law Panel is set to boost the legal coverage in the paper and serve as a sounding board for issues and the centerpiece of The Times' online law section.
Peter M.W. Nias, London, Tax, Tax - London
2006
Rick Mitchell was quoted in a November 13 article published by Financial Times regarding the appeal of private equity firms listing in the U.S. Financial Times reports that if funds are listed in the U.S., they could take advantage of the far bigger investor base and the culture of venture capital investing. Mr. Mitchell commented, "Given that private equity funds are essentially large piles of money with a few people on top, without a large administrative staff in place, it makes send for them to list where the disclosure requirements are less onerous. But once a deal gets big enough, a couple of extra million dollars in compliance costs doesn’t bite that hard."
Richard Mitchell, Corporate, Corporate - London, Finance & Banking, London
Our London office and partners have received a number of recognitions in the 2006 UK Legal 500. McDermott was ranked in 17 disciplines, and a number of our partners were mentioned, which represents a solid increase in partner recognitions from last year. Seven partners in our Corporate Department were recognized.
Peter Nias was quoted in the October 1 issue of International Tax Review on the negative impact of the British tax authority’s anti-arbitrage initiative on the certainty of advice he can give business clients.
Peter M.W. Nias, International Tax, London, Tax, Tax - London
Juliet Blanch received mention as a specialist among the elite firms listed in Global Arbitration Review's (May issue) article on London's "biggest and best" international arbitration groups. The article ranks arbitration practices by peer respect, with McDermott falling into the "ones to watch" category and commenting on Ms Blanch's "fine stylish practice."
Juliet Blanch, Alternative Dispute Resolution, International Dispute Avoidance and Resolution, Litigation - London, London, Trial
David Dalgarno was quoted in the June 20 issue of Personnel Today regarding the tribunal case in which a senior manager was held personally liable for harassment. "Companies should ensure that managers have had up-to-date equal opportunities training. Such training should raise awareness of the potential for personal exposure," he said.
David Dalgarno, Employee Benefits & Pensions, Employment - London, London
Fred Chilton, Peter Faber, Jerry Kaplan, Peter Nias, Arndt Raupach, James Riedy, Art Rosen and Lowell Yoder were recommended in the Cross-border Tax on Corporate Transactions: PLC Which Lawyer Handbook published by Practical Law Company. McDermott was highly recommended.
Frederick Chilton, Peter L. Faber, Jared Kaplan, Peter M.W. Nias, Arndt Raupach, James A. Riedy PC, Arthur R. Rosen, Lowell D. Yoder, Germany, International, International Tax, London, Tax, Tax - Germany, Tax - London
Our London office was mentioned in the Daily Telegraph on June 1 in connection with its legal work on a celebrity recipe book, Soup Kitchen, compiled to raise money for homeless charities. To date, it has raised £52,000.
London, Pro Bono & Community Service
In its April issue Legal Business recognized McDermott's commercial litigation experience in a recent article that identified the U.S. law firms who are going head-to-head with the Magic Circle UK law firms. McDermott was ranked in the "major U.S./global firms" category.
Litigation - London, London, Trial
Clare Sellars was quoted in the March 2006 issue of EURALex's European Healthcare Law & Regulatory News in an article titled "Advocate General issues ground-breaking opinion on NHS and patient mobility." The article focuses on the issue of NHS patients traveling to other EU member states in order to receive medical treatment and the relevance of Article 49 when determining a patients right to receive such treatment. Ms. Sellar's commented, "It will certainly have implications, but the concern that this case will lead to large numbers of people circumventing NHS waiting lists by going abroad for treatment should probably not be over-played. This case is significant as this is the first time the principles of the existing case law have been applied directly in the context of a national health service."
Juliet Blanch was quoted in the February 16 issue of Financial Times in regard to bilateral-investment-treaty-based disputes and how developing country governments don't have access to the information traded in these cases.
Juliet Blanch, Alternative Dispute Resolution, International, London, Trial
2005
Rohan Massey was interviewed for the weekly Radio 4 Law in Action program regarding his views on the relationship between the growth of internet use and the growth in reports of identity theft.
Rohan Massey, Intellectual Property, IP, Media & Tech - London, London
McDermott Will & Emery was mentioned in the Big Suits column in the October issue of IP Law & Business in regard to representing Document Security Systems Inc. in its suit against the European Central Bank alleging that all euro banknotes in circulation infringe its European patent.
, Intellectual Property, IP, Media & Tech - London, London
Peter Nias was quoted in the September issue of Tax Business in relation to concerns in the UK over what is meant by Her Majesty's Revenue and Custom's criterion of "gaining a tax advantage" and to what extent tax minimization is a "proper commercial purpose" as this year's deadline for declaring suspect transaction draws closer.
Peter M.W. Nias, London, Tax, Tax - London
McDermott was mentioned in the August 3 issue of Financial Times Deutschland and Süddeutsche Zeitung as the law firm advising DSSI in its lawsuit against the European Central Bank.
, Intellectual Property, IP, Media & Tech - London, London
Peter Nias was quoted in the May 2005 issue of the International Tax Review in an article that discusses a protracted legal wrangle between Marks & Spencer retailers and the UK government for cross-border group relief within the EU. The M&S case is leading the way on this issue, but there are more than 60 other companies making similar claims. "There needs to be some dialogue. The UK may be an island and drive on the left, but it is still part of the EU. The government should anticipate the judgment going against them and work out how best to become compliant and remain competitive at the same time," Mr. Nias said.
Peter M.W. Nias, London, Tax, Tax - London
Rick Mitchell was quoted extensively in the March 10 issue of the Financial Times in an in-depth corporate governance feature entitled, "Long arm of the U.S. regulator." The article discusses how some overseas companies feel trapped as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission flexes its muscles far from home.
Richard Mitchell, Corporate, Corporate - London, London
Katie Clark was quoted in the February 1 issue of Personnel Today regarding the case of Lionel Leventhal Ltd. v. North and the warning going out to employers to keep a paper trail during redundancy procedures as well as considering the issue of 'bumping'. "The ruling is saying when an employer makes redundancies it should consider bumping. Employers need to ensure there is a paper trail so they are protected. The employer shouldn't just assume that a senior employee won't accept a junior position." Ms. Clark emphasizes, "That is when the unfairness arises. The message to employers is not to make any assumptions."
Katie L. Clark, Employee Benefits & Pensions, Employment - London, Labor & Employment, London
2003
McDermott Will & Emery was mentioned in a June 10th PR Newswire as sponsors of PRISM's 2003 European Intangibles Summit.
McDermott Will & Emery was mentioned, among other firms, as one of the firms that has successfully expanded out of legal regional centers, and into Europe, in an article published in the May 15 issue of Legal Week.
McDermott Will & Emery was listed as advising Numis Securities as sole underwriter on the £43m placing and open offer of 133.5 m shares in Lloyd's insurance and reinsurance company Chaucer Holdings, published by Legal Week on May 1.
McDermott Will & Emery was mentioned as "arguably one of the most ambitious US firms here [London]…" in the spring issue of Lex Magazine.
Alison Wetherfield was quoted in the March 1 issue of In Brief Monthly on when employers can snoop on their employees.
Alison Wetherfield, Employment - London, Labor & Employment, London
Peter Nias was quoted in the Financial Times on February 17 in regard to a recent ruling of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) which found discriminatory and unlawful the thin capitalization rules in the German tax code that could at best give UK businesses a timely cash boost or worse increase bureaucracy and taxes. Mr. Nias commented that the ECJ decision could potentially have a similar impact in the UK (and in all EU countries) and if the UK thin capitalization rules are held to be discriminatory and unlawful it could result in UK subsidiaries of multinational companies financed by an EU affiliate looking to the Inland Revenue for redress if part of their interest expense was disallowed or an amount of loss carried forward was reduced.
Peter M.W. Nias, International Tax, London, Tax, Tax - London
Rick Mitchell was quoted in the February 3 issue of The Deal regarding those European companies who want their shares traded in the U.S. will have to make several changes in 2003 despite the softening of some of the rules for foreigners.
Richard Mitchell, Corporate, London, Securities
2002
McDermott Will & Emery was mentioned in the November 14 issue of the Gazette for their work advising Britannia Living and Graphite Capital Management on the £22 million recommended cash offer for The Range Cooker company.
London, Mergers & Acquisitions
Nicholas Azis was listed in the November 11 issue of Financial News as part of the law team acting for Britannia Living in their offer for Range Cooker.
Nicholas Azis, London, Mergers & Acquisitions
McDermott Will & Emery was mentioned in the October 3 issue of Legal Week in regard to the Firm's continued growth and expansion in London.
Richard Mitchell was quoted in the September issue of Corporate Finance on an article addressing how non-U.S. corporates will be lobbying the SEC, the NYSE and politicians in an effort to be excluded from some of the more onerous provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
Richard Mitchell, Corporate Responsibility and Governance, London
Rick Mitchell was quoted in the August 20 issue of the Daily Deal in an article addressing whether the SEC will exempt foreign companies from any of the new "corporate governance" rules under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The article highlights Porsche AG, which recently put its plans for a secondary listing in the U.S. on hold, at least in part as a result of the new rules. Mr. Mitchell stated his view that "It may be that companies like Porsche decide not to list, and that is a bad thing. The SEC has worked hard to attract non-U.S. companies to the U.S. market, and that’s good for the companies and good for U.S. investors as well."
Richard Mitchell, Corporate Responsibility and Governance, London
Rick Mitchell was quoted in the August 15 issue of the Daily Deal in an article addressing the August 14 deadline for top executives to personally swear to the accuracy of their financial results. Mr. Mitchell commented on Europe's response to these certifications, "Europeans are hot and bothered by the actions of Congress and the SEC." He also mentioned that foreign businesses see this as "Washington legislating for Europe," and expressed his thoughts that the decision to include foreign companies in this bill may not have been wise as some of the provisions conflict with the way foreign companies conduct their business.
Richard Mitchell, Corporate Responsibility and Governance, London
Peter Nias was quoted in the May 6 issue of the New York Law Journal and the May 10 issue of Corporate Counsel in regard to Europe’s lack of a unified tax system. According to Mr. Nias, a piecemeal approach will eventually succeed, "There’s momentum building. One day, multinational corporations will wake up and say: ‘So, really we’re now all harmonized.’ One day we’ll just realize it’s happened."
Peter M.W. Nias, International Tax, London, Tax, Tax - London
McDermott Will & Emery was mentioned in the May issue of American Lawyer as one of the few American firms in London expanding their arbitration and dispute resolution practices.
Litigation - London, London, Trial
McDermott Will & Emery was mentioned in the April 2002 issue of International Financial Law Review, which announced its Project Finance Deal of the Year: the Dutch high speed rail link.
McDermott Will & Emery was ranked ninth largest out of the top 50 U.S. law firms in London in the February 18 issue of The Lawyer.
2001
McDermott Will & Emery was mentioned in the December issue of Legal Business in a piece on litigation and antitrust departments being launched by U.S. firms in London. McDermott was mentioned for having a notable dispute resolution practice.
Antitrust & Competition, Litigation - London, London, Trial
McDermott Will & Emery was mentioned in the November 13 issue of the Law Gazette for having advised the European Investment Bank on the project financing of the HSL-Zuid high speed rail.
Finance & Banking, International, London
McDermott Will & Emery was referred to as offering "U.S.-style advice" to UK companies including ING Barings, IAC Holdings and Chrysalis in the August 20 issue of Financial Times. The article, "Going for the American option..." addresses the increased options for UK companies regarding legal advice on big corporate deals — U.S firms with London offices.
Corporate, Corporate - London, International, London, Mergers & Acquisitions
McDermott Will & Emery's London office was mentioned as advising the film finance company, IAC Holdings, in its flotation on AIM in the August 6 issue of The Lawyer.
Finance & Banking, London, Securities
McDermott Will & Emery was featured in "International Firms in London" annual review and schedule of the May 31 issue of Legal Week. "The call of the capital" looks at firms looking to establish a presence in London and the options of merging or setting up a new partnership
McDermott Will & Emery’s growth in London was outlined in a chart published in the May 2001 issue of American Lawyer. The rate of growth from 1999 to 2000 was noted at 233% and the growth from 2000 to 2001 was marked as 30%.
