Macfarlanes
Encyclopedia
Macfarlanes LLP is a corporate law firm
based in London
, United Kingdom
. In 2010/11 it achieved total revenues of £94.7 million and profits per equity partner of £752,000. It has been described as forming part of a group of London-based law firms called the 'Silver Circle'. It advises national and multinational companies, business leaders and high-net-worth individuals.
. In 1894 Neish was joined in partnership by John Embleton Macfarlane. In 1962 the firm adopted its current name Macfarlanes. Vanni Treves
was the firm's senior partner from 1987 to 1999. In August 1998 the Appeal Court ordered Macfarlanes to pay damages of £125,000 to Titanic Investments in respect of advice given by the firm in relation to a £12 million deal involving land at Waltham Chase, Twyford. In August 2004 Macfarlanes real estate partner Eliza O’Toole resigned in order to join Bircham Dyson Bell, resulting in the firm losing its place instructing P&O
on its London Gateway
port development. In May 2006 Macfarlanes debt finance partner Tom Speechley resigned in order to join the Dubai-based private equity firm Abraaj Capital
.
In January 2009 Macfarlanes launched a formal redundancy consultation affecting seven lawyers in its real estate practice and seven secretaries. In March 2009 Macfarlanes hired David Berman, previously at Dresdner Kleinwort, to become a partner in its financial services regulatory practice. In June 2009 Macfarlanes launched a second redundancy consultation, affecting 14 support staff and one professional support lawyer. In September 2009 Macfarlanes recruited Barry Donnelly and Francis Bridgeman, former financial litigation and restructuring partners respectively at Jones Day and Allen & Overy.
In April 2010 Macfarlanes' M&A partner Tim Lewis resigned in order to join Clifford Chance
. In October 2010 Macfarlanes acted for Peter Lim
in relation to his failed £360 million offer for Liverpool F.C.
In September 2010 Macfarlanes advised Four Seasons Health Care
, the largest UK-based care home group, on the restructuring of its £1.6 billion debt facilities. In October 2010 the firm announced that it would be introducing a new senior solicitor level from early 2011.
In March 2011 Macfarlanes suffered the resignation of two partners, with planning head Ian Ginbey and real estate partner Richard Reuben joining Clyde & Co
and Fladgate respectively. In May 2011 Macfarlanes hired Rachel Kelly, previously a partner at Clifford Chance, to join its banking and finance group. In June 2011 Macfarlanes' corporate partner Garrett Hayes resigned in order to join Paul Hastings. In September 2011 Macfarlanes hired Ian Nisse, previously a partner at Shearman & Sterling
, to be its new head of commercial real estate, and Stephen Sims, a partner in Macfarlanes' funds practice, defected to Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
. In November 2011 Macfarlanes advised private equity firm OpCapita LLP on its acquisition of the electrical retailer Comet Group from Kesa Electricals.
, as part-time chairman of the insurance company Equitable Life
. In the period February 2001 to April 2002 Macfarlanes received a total of £287,875 for Treves' part-time role at Equitable Life. In 2003 Macfarlanes received a further £60,000 in consultancy fees from Equitable Life for Treves' role as part-time chairman. In 2003 members attending Equitable Life's annual meeting voted to oppose large proposed pay increases for its board.
in respect of a class action brought by 30,000 claimants against the company, who alleged that it had illegally dumped 400 tonnes of toxic waste in Abidjan
, Côte d'Ivoire
, causing them to experience serious health problems. Witness statements alleged that Simon Nurney, a Macfarlanes' partner, interviewed a lead claimant who had been flown business class to a luxury hotel in Morocco, and offered him money to retract his evidence. Macfarlanes denied these allegations.
Law firm
A law firm is a business entity formed by one or more lawyers to engage in the practice of law. The primary service rendered by a law firm is to advise clients about their legal rights and responsibilities, and to represent clients in civil or criminal cases, business transactions, and other...
based in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. In 2010/11 it achieved total revenues of £94.7 million and profits per equity partner of £752,000. It has been described as forming part of a group of London-based law firms called the 'Silver Circle'. It advises national and multinational companies, business leaders and high-net-worth individuals.
History
Macfarlanes was founded by George Watson Neish in 1875 in the City of LondonCity of London
The City of London is a small area within Greater London, England. It is the historic core of London around which the modern conurbation grew and has held city status since time immemorial. The City’s boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, and it is now only a tiny part of...
. In 1894 Neish was joined in partnership by John Embleton Macfarlane. In 1962 the firm adopted its current name Macfarlanes. Vanni Treves
Vanni Treves
Vanni Treves is a former Chairman of Channel 4, former Senior Partner of City law firm Macfarlanes and former Chairman of Equitable Life....
was the firm's senior partner from 1987 to 1999. In August 1998 the Appeal Court ordered Macfarlanes to pay damages of £125,000 to Titanic Investments in respect of advice given by the firm in relation to a £12 million deal involving land at Waltham Chase, Twyford. In August 2004 Macfarlanes real estate partner Eliza O’Toole resigned in order to join Bircham Dyson Bell, resulting in the firm losing its place instructing P&O
Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company
The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, which is usually known as P&O, is a British shipping and logistics company which dated from the early 19th century. Following its sale in March 2006 to Dubai Ports World for £3.9 billion, it became a subsidiary of DP World; however, the P&O...
on its London Gateway
London Gateway
London Gateway is a major new development under construction on the north bank of the River Thames in Thurrock, Essex. It comprises a large new deep-water port, which will be able to handle the biggest container ships in the world, as well as one of Europe’s largest logistics parks, providing...
port development. In May 2006 Macfarlanes debt finance partner Tom Speechley resigned in order to join the Dubai-based private equity firm Abraaj Capital
Abraaj Capital
Abraaj Capital is among the world's 50-biggest private equity groups, and invests in the growing Middle East, North Africa and South Asia region, a region also known as MENASA. Abraaj manages about $6.6 billion of funds and stakes in about two dozen companies, including some of the best known in...
.
In January 2009 Macfarlanes launched a formal redundancy consultation affecting seven lawyers in its real estate practice and seven secretaries. In March 2009 Macfarlanes hired David Berman, previously at Dresdner Kleinwort, to become a partner in its financial services regulatory practice. In June 2009 Macfarlanes launched a second redundancy consultation, affecting 14 support staff and one professional support lawyer. In September 2009 Macfarlanes recruited Barry Donnelly and Francis Bridgeman, former financial litigation and restructuring partners respectively at Jones Day and Allen & Overy.
In April 2010 Macfarlanes' M&A partner Tim Lewis resigned in order to join Clifford Chance
Clifford Chance
Clifford Chance LLP is a global law firm headquartered in London, United Kingdom and a member of the 'Magic Circle' of leading UK law firms. It is one of the ten largest law firms in the world measured by both number of lawyers and revenue...
. In October 2010 Macfarlanes acted for Peter Lim
Peter Lim
Peter Lim Eng Hock is a Singapore billionaire. In July 2010, Forbes magazine rated eighth amongst Singapore's 40 richest people with an estimated net worth of $1.6 billion....
in relation to his failed £360 million offer for Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
In September 2010 Macfarlanes advised Four Seasons Health Care
Four Seasons Health Care
Four Seasons Health Care is an independent provider of both health and social care services and it owns or operates 440 care homes, nursing homes and other specialist units across the United Kingdom. Four Seasons employs over 21,000 staff and cares for more than 15,000 people. Four Seasons also...
, the largest UK-based care home group, on the restructuring of its £1.6 billion debt facilities. In October 2010 the firm announced that it would be introducing a new senior solicitor level from early 2011.
In March 2011 Macfarlanes suffered the resignation of two partners, with planning head Ian Ginbey and real estate partner Richard Reuben joining Clyde & Co
Clyde & Co
Clyde & Co is an international law firm which works worldwide across 120 countries. The firm's work is cross-border, high profile and complex. The firm employs nearly 700 fee-earners in 23 offices across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, North, Latin America and Africa who are qualified in 17...
and Fladgate respectively. In May 2011 Macfarlanes hired Rachel Kelly, previously a partner at Clifford Chance, to join its banking and finance group. In June 2011 Macfarlanes' corporate partner Garrett Hayes resigned in order to join Paul Hastings. In September 2011 Macfarlanes hired Ian Nisse, previously a partner at Shearman & Sterling
Shearman & Sterling
Shearman & Sterling LLP is a law firm headquartered in New York City with 20 offices located in major financial centers around the world founded in 1873. It is well known for both its litigation and transactional capabilities, especially in International Arbitration, Capital Markets, Finance, and...
, to be its new head of commercial real estate, and Stephen Sims, a partner in Macfarlanes' funds practice, defected to Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates , founded in 1948, is a prominent law firm based in New York City. With over 2,000 attorneys, it is one of the largest and highest-grossing law firms in the world. Forbes magazine calls Skadden "Wall Street's most powerful law firm"...
. In November 2011 Macfarlanes advised private equity firm OpCapita LLP on its acquisition of the electrical retailer Comet Group from Kesa Electricals.
Main practice areas
Macfarlanes' main practice areas include:- Banking and finance
- Commercial
- Competition
- Corporate and M&A
- Corporate tax
- Employment
- Financial services regulation
- Investment funds
- Intellectual property
- Litigation and dispute resolution
- Pensions
- Private client
- Real estate
- Restructuring and insolvency
Equitable Life
Between 2002 and 2003 Macfarlanes was involved in controversy regarding the level of remuneration of its then partner and former Senior Partner, Vanni TrevesVanni Treves
Vanni Treves is a former Chairman of Channel 4, former Senior Partner of City law firm Macfarlanes and former Chairman of Equitable Life....
, as part-time chairman of the insurance company Equitable Life
Equitable Life
The Equitable Life Assurance Society , founded 1762, is a life insurance company in the United Kingdom. The world's oldest mutual insurer, it pioneered age based premiums based on mortality rate laying “the framework for scientific insurance practice and development” and “the basis of modern life...
. In the period February 2001 to April 2002 Macfarlanes received a total of £287,875 for Treves' part-time role at Equitable Life. In 2003 Macfarlanes received a further £60,000 in consultancy fees from Equitable Life for Treves' role as part-time chairman. In 2003 members attending Equitable Life's annual meeting voted to oppose large proposed pay increases for its board.
Acting for Trafigura in relation to waste dumping in Côte d'Ivoire
Macfarlanes acted for the oil company TrafiguraTrafigura
Trafigura is an Amsterdam-based multinational company founded in 1993 trading in base metals and energy, including oil. the company had equity of more than $2 billion and a turnover of $73 billion that generated $440 million of profit....
in respect of a class action brought by 30,000 claimants against the company, who alleged that it had illegally dumped 400 tonnes of toxic waste in Abidjan
Abidjan
Abidjan is the economic and former official capital of Côte d'Ivoire, while the current capital is Yamoussoukro. it was the largest city in the nation and the third-largest French-speaking city in the world, after Paris, and Kinshasa but before Montreal...
, Côte d'Ivoire
Côte d'Ivoire
The Republic of Côte d'Ivoire or Ivory Coast is a country in West Africa. It has an area of , and borders the countries Liberia, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso and Ghana; its southern boundary is along the Gulf of Guinea. The country's population was 15,366,672 in 1998 and was estimated to be...
, causing them to experience serious health problems. Witness statements alleged that Simon Nurney, a Macfarlanes' partner, interviewed a lead claimant who had been flown business class to a luxury hotel in Morocco, and offered him money to retract his evidence. Macfarlanes denied these allegations.
External links
- Macfarlanes website
- Macfarlanes profile in Chambers Student Guide and RollOnFriday