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Interviews Marco Compagnoni, partner at the British law firm Lovells. Plans for expanding the firm; European strategy of the firm; Views on the high-profiles cases worked on by the firm; Importance placed on operating in a small environment.

The article comments that the legal services white paper should prompt chambers to develop into modern business. Some fascinating doors for barristers will be opened by the British Government's white paper on the future of legal services. To start modernizing, recruitment might be an appropriate place. Although many chambers are offering jobs for life, there are few chambers that devote significant time to the selection of pupils. Within chambers, efficient management would also be an area of improvement that might be highlighted by these new proposals.

Reports that lawyer Patrick Lawrence will join law firm Four New Square in Great Britain. Resignation of Lawrence from 4 Paper Buildings; High-value insurance and financial services work of the law firm; Performance of the law firm.

The article reports that top performing partners at the firm Lovells projects a huge payout within the year 2009 brought by the law firm's partnership with Hogan & Hartson LLP in Great Britan. It notes that partners at both firms were given merger papers and are requested to agree on the details of the deal. Hogan Lovell's corporate governance structure will follow on Lovells' while its pay structure will follow Hogan's which will enable Lovells partners to qualify for a performance-liked bonus.

The article offers news briefs related to the legal profession in Great Britain. Mrs Tulkinghorn introduces the Beauty Box, a sleek black crocodile finish expecially designed for lawyers in transporting their papers. Tulkinghorn is recommending the use of hanky firmly in covering the nose and mouth to avoid the dreadful swine flue plague. A recent report says that the legal profession is becoming the most elitist going in the country

The article presents an interview with John Evans, head of employment law, in law firm Coudert Brothers. In response to a question regarding his experiences as trainee, Evans says that Being sent unbriefed and without papers to court to represent a commercial client on a driving offence, with no idea of procedure or what he was meant to do.

The article provides a ten-point checklist to ensure lawyers go into a client pitch armed to the teeth. One is a strategy paper that puts forward the business case for a major acquisition. Success depends on the ability to focus on the totality of the client's agenda. High up that agenda is a rigorous approach to procurement and costs, of which lawyers need to have a clear understanding. Clients are applying this rigor in their own organizations. Their own customers or clients are unwilling to accept any increase in what they pay for goods and services. Every budget holder has to demonstrate that the money they spend delivers best value to the business. It is perfectly legitimate for clients to apply the same rigor to the purchase of professional services that they bring to paying for facilities management or office supplies.

Presents news briefs related to law firms and lawyers in Great Britain as of December 15, 2003. Linklaters corporate partner Stephen Boughton's plan to leave the firm; Eversheds' decision to cease its private client function in London; End of the consultation period on research paper released by the Legal IT Innovators Group.

Reports on the responsibility of non-for-profit organization GreenWorks Inc. for removing law firm's redundant office equipment and redistributing it to worthy groups in need in Great Britain.