Legal briefs: DLA Piper flies high; Pannone; Glaisyers
LAW firm DLA Piper and Etihad Airways have won an industry award for 2012 Middle East Deal of the Year.
Etihad, which has strong links to the North West through its Manchester City sponsorship and double daily direct flights, won Euromoney’s Air Finance Journal award for its $350m purchase of a stake in Air Berlin.
A DLA team from the firm’s Manchester, London and German offices worked on the deal.
The strategic partnership saw Etihad raise its stake in Air Berlin to 29% and also provide pre -delivery financing for 50 future new Boeing aircraft ordered by Air Berlin.
Corporate and aviation partners, Jon Hayes and Mark Franklin led the deal, with support in particular from Manchester-based legal director Ciaran Stone in corporate, Kate Vernon on EU Competition and London-based Graham Tyler and Adam Beavill on finance.
Mr Stone said: “It was a pleasure to support Etihad in effecting this ground-breaking strategic partnership through an equity investment in Air Berlin, the first such investment that Etihad have undertaken. The success realised by Etihad and Air Berlin to date is testament to the Etihad team’s vision and innovation.”
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FINANCIAL crime experts from Manchester law firm Pannone have been appointed to the new City regulator.
Partners Zia Ullah and Sara Teasdale will be members of the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority’s (which have replaced the Financial Services Authority) new skilled persons panel for financial crime.
The formed panel will be used by the FCA and the PRA when seeking skilled persons reports into matters relating to financial crime.
Emma Holt, the firm’s managing partner said: “To have been selected to this panel following a rigorous tender process highlights the strength in depth of our regulatory team and, given that the other firms on the panel are some of the most highly regarded international law firms and consultancies, we are particularly proud to have been successful in our tender.”
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LAW firm, Glaisyers Solicitors is to split into two separate practices.
Three partners offering family law services out of Longsight in south Manchester, have left to form WTB Law.
Nick Johnson, partner at Glaisyers said: “Our Manchester and Longsight offices had been effectively operating independently for a while so it made sense to formalise this in line with Solicitors Regulation Authority’s ‘outcome focus regulations’.
“The decision was taken mutually and in the best future interest of both firms. Both distinct firms would be strong and sustainable and each would have its own focus.
“It’s a really exciting opportunity for Glaisyers, we are now in a great place to grow our Manchester business further.”
Glaisyers, which celebrates its 40th birthday next year, will continue to be based at One St James’s Square.
