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ALB ISSUE 8.11
38
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HSBC
Bridget Powell
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COVER STORY 26 Global connectivity International firms are moving into Australia and Australian firms are going global – and that can only mean a better quality of service
ANALYSIS 10 In-house career paths Is a stint in private practice an essential grounding for a fruitful in-house career? 12 Christchurch earthquake Last month’s earthquake shook Christchurch law firms to the core. ALB finds out how they reacted to the shock and what they have learned about disaster planning 14 Bonds market Corporates are venturing back into the bond market – but this time there’s a retail twist
FEATURES 32 Litigation Will a spike in class actions help disputes lawyers beat the famed counter-cycle? 38 Construction Front end optimism gains momentum as credit flows slowly thaw 48 Private equity Some clarity on the latest developments in the PE space
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50 Driving IT ALB speaks with IT managers of law firms on the latest hardware and software trends
PROFILES 22 ALB-LexisNexis Managing Partner Profile series: Graeme Fowler, Integrated Legal Holdings Understanding the method behind Australia’s first law firm aggregator 26 ALB-Kensington Swan In-house Perspective: Bridget Powell, HSBC Bridget Powell speaks with ALB about the increasing globalisation of the legal services market and why the arrival of international firms on our shores is a good thing
REGULARS 6
DEALS
16 NEWS • Slater & Gordon to acquire Keddies in A$35m deal • M+K forced tback to drawing board in Great Southern case • Clutz, Freehills act on ASX-SGX merger
• Australian Business Lawyers acquired by NSW Business Chamber • Bakers, Clifford Chance strongest law firm brands • Franchise industry drives M&A, private equity • Mid-tier merger of ClarkeKann and Gray & Perkins 11 UK Report 15 US Report 19 In-house Q&A 20 Appointments 62 M&A Deals data 63 Capital Markets Deals data
COMMENTARY 18 Employment law Sparke Helmore 21 New Zealand Buddle Findlay
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australasian legal business ISSUE 8.11