SJ movers and shakers

Linklaters confirms new firm-wide managing partner

Gideon Moore has been elected Linklaters's new firm-wide managing partner (FMP) for a four-year term at the Magic Circle firm's global partner conference in London.

The vote ratifies the partnership board's decision, taken earlier this month, which proposed Moore as FMP designate. Currently heading the firm's global banking practice, he succeeds Simon Davies who has been in the post since 2008 and who will be joining Lloyds Banking Group in early 2016.

Trowers & Hamlins launches new Birmingham practice

Trowers & Hamlins has launched a new commercial property practice in Birmingham following the hire of partner Amanda Hanmore from Knights Solicitors where she led the firm's real estate development team.

Hanmore's arrival brings commercial property expertise to Trowers & Hamlins's Midlands base and enhances the overall real estate offering in Birmingham, which already boasts housing, construction, employment, litigation, and public sector commercial capabilities.

Collyer Bristow advises on sale of global architectural firm

London-based Collyer Bristow has advised Ibrahim Ibrahim, the former owner of Portland Design Associates Limited, with regards to the sale of the company to Perkins+Will, a global architectural and design firm which employs 1,800 professionals worldwide.

The team working on the deal consisted of Ragavan Arunachalam, James Kearns, Gwyneth Williams, and Rosanna Freeman.

Portland Design was founded in 1987, and has offices in London, Dubai, and Istanbul. It is an award-winning design consultancy with a client portfolio including St Pancras International, Diageo, British Land, Nestle, TfL, Heathrow, CNN, and TDIC.

Duncan Lewis solicitors practise in pyjamas

Solicitors at Duncan Lewis have spent a working day in pyjamas to support the National Brain Appeal charity's Pyjama Party.

Firm director Sarah Jopling had surgery to remove a brain tumour at the hospital the charity raises vital funds for, the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, the UK's leading centre of excellence for treating diseases of the brain, spine and nervous system.

As well as Jopling and colleagues at the firm's Tooting office wearing pyjamas, the staff in Barnet, Birmingham, Cardiff, Croydon, Dalston, Harrow, Leicester, Lewisham, and Shepherd's Bush also took part. So far they have raised £450 for the charity.

Gateley announces trading update

Gateley has made a solid start to the financial year and is trading in-line with management expectations, according to its latest update. Revenues for the first six months are expected to be a minimum of £29.5m, not less than 10 per cent ahead of the corresponding pro-forma period last year. The board expects to announce the group's audited half-year results in December 2015.

Baker & McKenzie further expands Dispute Resolution Practice 

Baker & McKenzie has expanded its growing Africa Dispute Resolution offering with the addition of John Bell,  a new partner in Johannesburg.

He re-joins Gerhard Rudolph, joint managing partner of the Johannesburg office, and partners Darryl Bernstein and Kate Daniels who he worked with at Rudolph, Bernstein & Associates. until 2010.

Bell's appointment brings to over 27 the total number of dispute resolution professionals in Johannesburg.

DAC Beachcroft continues northern investment

DAC Beachcroft has continued its programme of significant investment in Leeds with the appointment of Richard Watkinson to its national technology team.

Watkinson joined the firm from Pinsent Masons, where he was the senior specialist technology lawyer in the North.