Allen & Overy named Derivatives Law Firm of the Year

12/05/06

Allen & Overy named Derivatives Law Firm of the Year

At the DEAL Awards, hosted by Derivatives Week in London, UK law firm Allen & Overy was honored with the title Derivatives Law Firm of the Year. Allen & Overy runs derivatives-based practices in almost all of its offices across the globe. According to a survey on organizations involved in derivatives, the law firm is quite popular and has been responsible for expanding the international derivatives market. Over the past year, Allen & Overy has been associated with the International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) and has been involved in high-profile ISDA initiatives, providing counsel regarding documentation for credit default swaps on asset-backed securities, updating credit derivatives definitions, and advising on collateralized debt obligation tranches.

Worth names Bishop among "100 Top Attorneys"
Well-known trusts and estates attorney Leah Bishop has been honored as one of "The 100 Top Attorneys" listed in Worth magazine's December 2006 issue. Bishop is a partner with Loeb & Loeb, LLP, and specializes in estate and gift tax planning for high-net-worth clients. Worth editors call on their subscribers to recommend exceptional lawyers they have come across when seeking counsel on personal issues in areas ranging from trusts and estates to philanthropy advice to tax matters.

Weil Gotshal chairman named "Champion for Diversity"
Legal Momentum, an advocacy group working to strengthen the influence of women's rights on public policy, has honored Stephen J. Dannhauser, Chairman of Weil, Gotshal & Manges, with the "Champion for Diversity" award. The inaugural award highlights its recipient's excellence and leadership in law. Dannhauser has been recognized for his long-standing dedication to women's rights. Formed 36 years ago, Legal Momentum has been working on a number of issues related to the prevention of violence against women and the promotion of affordable child care.

Mock & Dakan merges with BKD
Missouri-based BKD, LLP, and Kansas City-based Mock & Dakan, PC, have mutually agreed to merge and will retain the name BKD, LLP. Stephen Mock and T. Teal Dakan from Mock & Dakan will join BKD as partners. The remaining 10 employees of Mock & Dakan will bring the total head count at the BKD Kansas City office to nearly 200. Mock & Dakan will also contribute about 2 million dollars in annual revenue to the merged firm. After the merger is finalized, BKD will have access to significant new resources that will enable it to tap into the local market by providing specialized services to clients. Since its inception in 1992, Mock & Dakan has focused on serving owner-managed businesses and high-net-worth individuals by offering tax, strategic business planning, and estate planning services. BKD comprises more than 1,600 employees, including approximately 220 partners based in 27 offices in the Central United States.

Baker & McKenzie establishes new global equity group
The New York office of Baker & McKenzie has inducted three partners who will work in its newly launched global equity practice group. The new practice group was added to the firm's portfolio primarily to consolidate its position in the Manhattan market. Margaret Paradis, who formerly worked for Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, has joined Baker &McKenzie as Corporate and Securities Partner; Jonathan Stapleton, who formerly worked for Allen & Overy, has joined as Corporate Restructuring Partner; and June Anne Burke, formerly Head of Global Equity at Mercer Human Resource Consulting, has joined as Partner. The new global equity group will be headed by Chairman Edward Burmeister, who hails from the firm's San Francisco office.

Bingham McCutchen launches Hong Kong office
With one office already established in Tokyo, Bingham McCutchen has opened its second Asian office in Hong Kong. Entering the Chinese market with a three-lawyer office, Bingham's Hong Kong branch will initially cater to the specific requirements of its existing financial institution clients. The new office will primarily concentrate on providing counsel to hedge fund and investment banking clients regarding their distressed and special situations investments; its attorneys will also work on financial restructurings and regulatory matters. Former Managing Partner for the firm's London office James Roome will head the Hong Kong office. Finance Partner Kate Walters, Corporate Associate Angeli Arora, and Associate Charles Rogers will also relocate to Hong Kong.

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