OnlyFans: We’re not just about adult content, we’re about safety
The UK’s most controversial business hired former Orrick partner Keily Blair as chief strategy and operations officer – and she has become a key advocate for its model.
High Court declares ‘Wagatha Christie’ winner. It’s …………….
Brabners has secured victory for Coleen Rooney in the sensational “Wagatha Christie” libel showdown, as Mrs Justice Steyn handed down her long-awaited decision at midday today. Steyn J’s final ruling comes two years after Rebekah Vardy, the wife of Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy, launched proceedings against Rooney, wife of former England and Manchester United […]
Arm lines up new legal chief ahead of potential IPO
Chipmaker Arm Holdings has brought in a new chief legal officer from SoftBank Investment Advisers. Spencer Collins has been named in the role after five months of being the business’ interim general counsel. Since October 2021, Collins has also acted as managing partner and GC of SoftBank Investment Advisers (SBIA), where he has overseen its […]
Firms line up on OneWeb-Eutelsat merger talks
Herbert Smith Freehills and Weil Gotshal & Manges are among the firms that have chalked up roles advising Paris-based satellite company Eutelsat on a potential merger with UK-based OneWeb on an all-share combination. The Lawyer has learned that HSF is advising its long-standing client OneWeb, with lead relationship partner Alan Montgomery at the helm along […]
BBC’s highest-paid report reveals top in-house salaries
The BBC has released its highest-paid earners for 2021/22, identifying six lawyers within the top payment brackets. The highest paid is Sarah Jones, the BBC’s group general counsel identified as taking home between £310,000-£314,999, according to the report. Jones has been with the corporation for north of 26 years, having previously studied at Oxford University […]
Sky Group hires new GC
Sky Group’s general counsel has left the business, leading to the appointment of a new legal head at the broadcasting company. Niamh Grogan has joined Sky as its new group general counsel after leaving multinational insurance adviser Willis Towers Watson. There, she was its global deputy general counsel and chief compliance officer for more than […]
Warburg Pincus’ new pharma purchase appoints GC
Pharmaceutical research and analytics group Pharma Intelligence has appointed a new general counsel. Vicky Harris comes from Warburg Pincus where she was a consultant. She moves into her role as general counsel for Pharma Intelligence, given that the acquisition of the business by the private house has now completed. In February this year, The Lawyer reported that […]
RPC, Matrix and 5RB litigators lock horns over future of libel law
Litigators from RPC and Matrix Chambers debated with a 5RB silk over the future of libel law yesterday, in an evidence session before the UK Parliament’s Justice Committee. The one-off hearing was held to investigate potential reform concerning strategic lawsuits against public participation – known in the United States as SLAPPs – something that the […]
Squires hires first UK head of data protection
Squire Patton Boggs has recruited its first UK head of data protection, information law and cyber security in a bid to grow out the practice. David Naylor joins the firm from Wiggin, where he served as the head of its data protection, information law and cybersecurity practice and was former co-head of its technology practice. […]
Clifford Chance hires tech partner from Norton Rose Fulbright
A partner from Norton Rose Fulbright’s technology, media and telecoms team has joined Clifford Chance, making him the firm’s second City lateral hire in five months. Zayed Al Jamil is expected to join Clifford Chance on 1 May. He has spent more than five years at Norton Rose Fulbright, making partner in 2021. At Norton […]
Crypto trading firm appoints new GC
Singapore-based crypto trading firm Amber Group has appointed its first GC for the EMEA region. Ehsan Haque joined the firm this month and is expected to work closely with the firm’s chief operating officer Wayne Huo in managing the company’s legal and regulatory risk groups, as well as expand its relationship with local regulators. Haque […]
“Oligarchs can add privacy to their defence toolbox”: Reaction to the Bloomberg decision
As individual lawyers are being named in the Commons over advice provided to oligarch clients, scrutiny around London’s role as a hub for privacy and libel disputes grows increasingly intense. Last month the Supreme Court decided to dismiss Bloomberg’s appeal against a claim brought over the misuse of private information. The case concerned an article […]