Chins up

The timing could not have been more perfect (and historians of this decade kindly take note). In the very 24 hours when the “closed” sign was put up on Lehman Brothers and American financial hegemony came to an end, the partners of Slaughter and May underlined the finality of it all by announcing an office opening in Beijing.

Like the handing over of the baton to the next Olympic city the arrival of Slaughters, normally so reluctant to open foreign offices, is the surest sign that the world has changed and that China is now top dog.

While Slaughters has been in Hong Kong since the Seventies, that was more a reflection of the UK’s interests in the region. Now the focus is investment in and out of China itself. “This is, of course, a vibrant time in the economic development of the PRC,” said Christopher Saul, the firm’s senior partner, signalling that in terms of economic history the 21st century has now got under way.

Thorny issue

Like DLA Piper Quasimodo, Absolom and Achitophel it was obvious that Blake Lapthorn Tarlo Lyons was not a sustainable name. I made that point myself on the week the new merged firm was created.

So alongside plain old DLA Piper we now have plain old Blake Lapthorn — a triumph, it must be said, of the out-of-towners over the Clerkenwell City slickers. I do think, though, a trick has been missed. Although it was clear that the four-name mouthful was not sustainable, the partners of BLTL had a rich word hoard from which they could craft something new and different. My own preference was Lapthorn Lyons — it conjures an exciting image of a streamlined firm tooled up for the Chinese-dominated century. Yes, “Lapthorn Lyons — Beijing, Hong Kong, London and Oxford”. Guys, it’s still not too late — call the stationer now!

Foreign affairs

Speaking of mergers, I cannot omit the continuing rocketing rise of the trans-European firm Giambrone & Law which announced last week its merger with the International Law Partnership to create the International Law Partnership (Giambrone & Howell). The firm focuses on cross-border work and rejoices in being able to speak “several different languages”. Chinese needs to be added soon.

Leaders slip

The organisation Common Purpose has published an interesting reading list recommended by the great and the good. Diana Parker, chairman of Withers, nominated Arabian Sands, by Wilfred Thesiger, about a journey across the Arabian desert. “The opening pages are an interesting study in leadership without authority,” said Ms Parker, “and the importance of leadership as being a common journey. The experience of which can be as significant as arriving at the journey’s end.”

For some in the City — and Westminster — this week does mark the journey’s end. They can blame authority without leadership.

edward.fennell@yahoo.co.uk

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