Cooley (UK) LLP – Life cycle of a company
Cooley is well known for its first-class work with emerging companies, particularly in the technology space. Come and join some of the lawyers and trainees in this fun and interactive session where we discuss how Cooley lawyers work with the founders of a new company from formation; working together to structure the new business and prepare it for initial financing. We will then move on to ‘going public’ and the initial public offering (IPO), including a discussion of when and why companies go public, the roles that lawyers and investment bankers play in these transactions, and the general steps in a typical IPO. Finally, we’ll move onto the sale of a company. We’ll discuss mergers and acquisitions (M&A) transactions, including examining the different types of transaction (eg, private v public company transactions), reasons a company might want to be sold, the process of locating a potential buyer and the general steps in a typical M&A transaction. A tall order in the time we have available, but Cooley lawyers relish a challenge!
Watson Farley & Williams LLP – Anatomy of an asset finance transaction
Our workshop will feature a breakdown of some of the key considerations in structuring and documenting an asset finance transaction, including a trainee/junior associate’s role. This will be an interactive session which will include discussion of a case study.
Kirkland & Ellis International LLP – Debt finance
Our workshop will introduce you to the world of debt finance/leveraged finance transactions with an explanation of how and why transactions are structured as they are; the commercial considerations; and the role finance lawyers play at each level (from trainee to partner), with particular reference to financing private equity deals. The session will be led by two of our lawyers and will be interactive in nature and will involve you working together in small groups.
Vinson & Elkins – Drafting dispute resolution clauses: the dos and don’ts
A dispute resolution clause in a contract can be one of the most important parts of any agreement. It defines the process that must be followed in the event of a disagreement between the parties and, depending on how it is drafted, can save time, money and even the parties’ relationship. We will be giving some guidance and tips on how to draft these types of clause before a dispute arises and then will look at a case study in smaller groups, finishing off with a quiz to showcase what has been learnt. Mark Beeley, partner in the international dispute resolution group in London, will be presenting.
Charles Russell Speechleys – Private wealth
Charles Russell Speechlys is one of a small number of law firms which provides personalised, considered advice to dynamic and entrepreneurial organisations, as well as astutely commercial advice to individuals and their families. During this interactive workshop you will be presented with a private wealth case study and asked to consider how you can meet the needs of your client by working with the various departments within Charles Russell Speechlys. You’ll then be able to discuss your findings and share real-life examples with some of our lawyers.
Sidley Austin – Tax
As part of one of the world’s largest full-service law firms, the tax team in Sidley Austin’s London office advises on both the UK and international tax aspects of mergers and acquisitions, restructuring and insolvency, capital markets, banking and structured finance and international investment funds, as well as the resolution of tax controversies, including tax-related litigation. This tax workshop will be an interactive session lead by a partner focusing on our tax practice.
Baker McKenzie – International M&A
We were the first law firm to go international and now, with 77 offices in 47 countries, our bread-and-butter work consists of advising clients on large multi-country transactions. When managing cross-border deals, legal knowledge only gets us so far: effective project management is key. During this presentation we will explain some of the key challenges and issues that we face when working on international M&A projects and the role taken by each member of the team. There will then be an interactive session focusing on a case study around key issues which regularly come up in cross-border M&A deals.
Ropes & Gray International LLP – Negotiating commercial contracts
Our workshop will enable participants to take an active role in a negotiation skills exercise with the opportunity for feedback at the end of the session. The attendees will be separated into groups and will be given information to enable them to negotiate the key commercial terms of a contract, keeping in mind the interests of their respective clients. The workshop is designed to be a fast-paced, real-life example of negotiating techniques and tactics, which will encourage delegates to collaborate in an interactive environment. The workshop will be hosted by senior solicitors from Ropes & Gray, who have extensive experience with negotiating complex commercial agreements as part of high value transactions. The firm’s representatives will put the case study into practical context and explain how the exercise is designed to draw out some of the key issues of relevance to the firm’s clients. The case study is designed to leave delegates with transferable skills, which should be useful in any practice area.
RPC – Technology and cyber risk
As a leading technology and cyber risk practice, we are acknowledged experts in defending claims against technology companies and consultants on behalf of their insurers. We also provide the innovative ReSecure data breach response service. This offers market-leading legal, technical forensic, public relations and notification/remediation services through a 24/7/365 one-stop-shop facility. Our workshop will give you an introduction to RPC’s insurance practice, with a focus on technology and cyber risk.
Howard Kennedy – Real estate
Howard Kennedy is a firm well known for its expertise in real estate and acts for a number of high profile developers. This interactive workshop will feature a case study of a high profile development in vibrant East London and will work through all the different stages a developer will go through including funding, planning, construction and occupation/leases. Attendees will identify the different considerations needed for each of the stages and work out what order these strands would be in the context of the transaction as a whole. Attendees will also participate in a practical exercise involving a contract negotiation. This specialisation suits people who enjoy a fast-paced environment and who are looking for a broad spectrum of work.