Atlantic crossing

I don’t want to seem inhospitable to our American friends so I hope that Mark S. Dichter, a top partner in Morgan Lewis’s labour and employment practice, will read this in the spirit in which it is intended.

The man is relocating to London to drive forward the firm’s European expansion — presumably in the expectation of growing industrial unrest once the Tories get into office. That is all fair enough.

But the paean of praise in the firm’s announcement of his move was just so, frankly, un-British that he needs to be wary of the reaction that he might get. “While Mark has won many US and international awards, he is best known for his team spirit and selfless devotion to our clients,” Charles G. Lubar, managing partner of the firm’s London office, was quoted as saying. “Selfless devotion” covers doctors working with lepers and nurses in hospices. If he’s showing selfless devotion to his clients then I suggest that, as we say in this country, Mark needs to get out a bit more.

Bear-faced lawyers

In the week that good old Gorby was in Berlin to recall the collapse of the Soviet Empire it is highly appropriate that nine top law firms from the Commonwealth of Independent States should launch a new alliance, the CIS Leading Counsel Network, to offer clients “seamless advice across these fast-developing markets”.

It may seem a long way from 1989 but this is the reality of the eclipse of Soviet power — free-market lawyers in a free multinational alliance. German and French law firms were invited to share in the inaugural celebrations. No Brits were involved. It’s nice to know that some things don’t change.

Write on

There are, I am sure, countless students out there deeply engaged in preparing entries for this year’s Times/One Essex Court Law Awards on the topic Supreme Court UK: radical change or business as usual? The six prizes are enticing — from £3,500 for the winner through £2,500 for second, £1,500 for third and £1,000 each for three runners-up. But time is pressing. The deadline for receipt of entries is November 30. (For more see www. timesonline.co.uk/studentlaw).

After that you might consider entering for The Marion Simmons, QC, Memorial Essay Prize on the topic, Is better regulation the way to avoid future financial crisis?. For more go to www.ardl.org.uk Cunning plan One winner I can already mention is Norton Rose, which collected a National Training Award recently for its work in introducing its lawyers to the fundamental realities of business life. As well as leading to a better grip on the clients’ perspective the course also helped them to develop a business plan for their own practice. Given that the firm is now embarked on a strategy of world domination via Australia I can see why this might be useful.

edward.fennell@yahoo.co.uk

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