Blogs
The Crunch Bunch
Posted by Andrew Noon on November 5, 2008 11:13 AM
This time last year we all hoped that we might be turning the corner of the economic crisis, perhaps contemplating a lean Christmas, but awaiting the return to form that we all expected 2009 to bring. In hindsight, such optimism was misplaced, and I include myself amongst the misguided. I take comfort from the fact that people far wiser and better placed were similarly mis-footed. Consequently, being on DLA Piper's table at Thursday's Institute of Financial Services Dinner (aka the Institute of Banker's Dinner) at the BT Convention Centre made for an interesting evening.
Continue reading "The Crunch Bunch"
DLA Piper helps Obama become US President
Posted by Andrew Noon on November 5, 2008 11:13 AM
As America went to the polls yesterday to cast one of the most significant votes in its history, DLA Piper played an important role behind the scenes. With cadres of volunteers, DLA Piper supported the work of Election Protection, the nation's largest nonpartisan effort to protect the rights of voters to cast a ballot and have it counted.
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The Pound in your Pocket
Posted by Andrew Noon on November 4, 2008 5:33 PM
I attended the Professional Liverpool lunch last week to hear Mr Andrew Bailey, Chief Cashier to the Bank of England. For those who don't know (and with apologies to Mr Bailey for reducing him to a scrawl on a piece of paper), he is the person whose signature appears on bank notes, and for that reason alone, I felt (quite inexplicably) like I was meeting some sort of celeb, made all the more surreal by virtue of the fact that his signature is more widespread than his face. I managed to maintain my composure and resisted the temptation to ask for an autograph, being in possession of several already.
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Less is more
Posted by Andrew Noon on October 27, 2008 9:36 AM
DLA Piper is one of the founding law firms of the Legal Sector Alliance, an organisation which wants to work collaboratively to help law firms across the UK commit to environmental sustainability.
Results from a recent survey by the LSA suggests many firms have not begun to measure their carbon footprint as they do not know where to begin. Now the body is developing the LSA Carbon Footprint Protocol in collaboration with the sector to encourage more legal practices to consider the issue. The protocol, launched in July, included a document outlining scope and methodology, a spreadsheet measurement tool and practical guidance addressing common issues faced by law firms. The LSA believes it is essential for firms to measure their carbon impact before making efforts to reduce it.
For further information, visit http://www.legalsectoralliance.com/
Better to stay put... than to travel
Posted by Andrew Noon on October 16, 2008 3:25 PM
As part of DLA Piper's Global Sustainability Initiative, a firm wide TravelSMART campaign is running from Monday October 6, through to Friday October 31 2008.
The aim of the campaign is to encourage alternatives to travel and promote technology solutions - such as web and videoconferencing - which are less damaging to the environment, less time consuming, less stressful on participants and more cost effective. The campaign will also promote more environmentally friendly forms of travel, such as public transportation, when travel is required.
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Gurkha Jerker
Posted by Andrew Noon on October 13, 2008 9:32 AM
Immigration is always an emotive subject and one that has, in recent times, been heightened by concerns over security (be that economic or personal), but it was refreshing to see commonsense hold sway in the High Court ruling concerning the Gurkha's rights to residency in the UK.
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Shanghai Surprise
Posted by Andrew Noon on October 8, 2008 2:53 PM
With relatively little hullaballoo, Liverpool's delegation to Shanghai in anticipation of the 2010 World Expo have been there, done that and got the t-shirt. If you are like me then you will know little about what a World Exposition actually is, but it is quite illuminating to do a little digging.
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Cities Unlimited - an accurate review?
Posted by Clive Bleasdale on August 14, 2008 2:26 PM
As a Property Lawyer specialising in concluding legal documentation in order to make urban regeneration work, I have considered with interest the latest report entitled "Cities Unlimited" dealing with the question of urban regeneration.
Whilst conscious that as a Liverpool Property Lawyer, I will be seen as having a vested interest in making supportive comments in favour of Liverpool and the City Region, I do have the following observations:-
• It strikes me that the heritage of Liverpool is its unique selling point. From its prosperous origins as a thriving port, the City has an abundance of history, particularly reflected in its buildings which have withstood the tests of time and economic conditions. The thriving tourist economy in Liverpool is evidence of that and this must be a growing selling point for the Region, supported by the Capital of Culture status.
• The quality of life the City Region can offer now, in view of the significant rebuilding and regeneration that has occurred as reflected by the huge investment in Liverpool by Grosvenor and the resurgence of the Albert Dock supported by the new Arena make the City an extremely attractive place to work and now also to live.
• There is an inherent quality in the entrepreneurial spirit of Liverpool, which was doubtless founded in the days when the shipping trade was flourishing but which is now reflected in the diverse number of businesses that succeed from a Liverpool base, from insurance monies through to financial institutions, property developers and businesses, as well as new technology businesses.
• There is a strong case to ensure that our key cities do thrive. We need to make an effort to maintain an equilibrium within the Country with regard to commercial centres, rather than an imbalance between South and North. Manchester has made great strides in recent times towards its regeneration and Liverpool is fast following in its footsteps.
• As well as the efforts of the City Council other Local Authorities within the Region, are making strong attempts to make the Region an attractive place to live and work in and my firm as a major employer in Liverpool is finding that it is increasingly easy to attract talented Lawyers to the Region for these reasons.
• It is not a case in my view of looking at matters through "rose tinted spectacles". There is an inherent realism here in Liverpool and our political scene is far more middle ground these days, in terms of convincing businesses that we have a stable and vibrant city in which to work and prosper.
• The analysis of our strengths and weaknesses has been carried out and we have learnt from past mistakes and are putting them right. There is no doubt in my mind, that this Region provides now a thriving environment on which to build further success with a view to enhancing the attraction for businesses to relocate to the City and the City Region, based on the real benefits we have to offer.
Clive Bleasdale
Head of Property
Weightmans LLP
BLOG: Tony Wilson
Posted by Ben Schofield on July 20, 2008 12:38 PM
HILL DICKINSON'S annual results were announced this month and they show a pleasing rise in fee income of almost 7% and outstanding growth across several of our key practice groups.
Given that we moved almost 600 people into St Paul's Square in the same financial year, and the upheaval that goes with a relocation on that scale, to achieve such growth in these circumstances is a real achievement. It's a firm foundation for moving forwards.
My last blog finished off with me going to the Leadership in Law Firms course at Harvard Law School.
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BLOG: Tony Wilson
Posted by Vicky Anderson on May 22, 2008 6:00 AM
Any of the top national UK law firms in this day and age is also an international practice as well. That's a trend which has become increasingly clear in recent years but is hugely apparent this week.
Not only am I off to Boston, USA, to take part in a Harvard Law School course called Leadership in Law Firms, but Hill Dickinson partners and lawyers are really going international this week.
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BLOG: Tony Wilson
Posted by Legal Week Administrator on April 29, 2008 5:50 PM
THE theme of this week's blog is leadership, something which comes in all styles and shades, but which every serious business or organisation needs to make a priority.
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Solicitors issue apology after client is called "batty old tart": Hi Mary, Thanks for posting a comment on ldplegal
Solicitors issue apology after client is called "batty old tart": Batty Old Tart - sounds really professional from w
Lawyers fear complaints publicity could backfire: Yes solicitors, barristers and judges need naming
Lawyers fear complaints publicity could backfire: It's about time the entire legal system was opened
Cities Unlimited - an accurate review?: Dear Clive. With reference to your 3rd Observatio