Issue 15 - Spring 2012

RBS recently issued a report on the legal profession, stating that there was an over capacity of fee earners in the largest firms of about 5%, and as a result some 3,500 fee-earning jobs would have to go for those firms to return to pre-crisis levels of profitability.

There is no doubt that for all professional firms the last few years have been unpredictable, particularly for transactional work. As investment banks have contracted, or individual bankers have become disillusioned with working for large organisations, a number of teams or individuals have broken away and set up their own businesses, many doing bulge-bracket deals for blue chip clients, but in smaller, more efficient, structures.

The business environment for law firms and advisers generally was not dissimilar in the late 1980s, when Rosenblatt was founded. We have built a firm which remains mid-sized compared to many competitors, but which has attracted and developed a client base consisting of many big brand names and important institutions. It may be a cliché, but you don’t have to be a big firm to have a big reputation.

In this edition you can read articles looking at the changing face of UK employment law, and how a US court ruling has created uncertainty for businesses over the trademarking of colours. Driver group director, Dave Webster, gives his insight on what it takes to successfully manage complex construction projects, and we’ve a story of British automotive engineering and design success, with the emergence of luxury carmaker, Eterniti. This issue also has our Head of Corporate, Tom Ferns, explaining the choices available for people considering stock market flotation for their business.

I hope you enjoy this issue of Impact.

Ian Rosenblatt
Senior Partner

the debate

All change

Are you ready for changes in the workplace? Employment law in the UK is constantly evolving, but 2012 sees the Government making some fundamental changes following the 'Modern Workplaces' and 'Resolving Workplace Disputes' consultations. Here, Andrea London, Head of Employment Department at Rosenblatt, looks at the implications of some of the new and proposed legislation. Read more  

Your flotation device

Choose your flotation device

Taking the decision to float on the stock market is a big step for any company, but is the Main Market or the Alternative Investment Market the right place for you? Head of Corporate, Tom Ferns, takes a look at the UK stock market to explain the choices. Read more  

the director’s chair

Project Control. What’s the secret?

Since 1978, Driver Group has provided project management consultancy to construction and engineering clients around the world. Involving a diverse range of skills – such as legal, financial, planning, procurement, technical and training – its services are focused on keeping control of projects in all their complexity, at every stage. Read more