The dispute between Field Fisher Waterhouse and Dr Mark Abell, its head of IP and Tech, has turned into a full on playground spat after it emerged that Abell has instructed Herbert Smith Freehills to represent him against FFW.
Abell was suspended by FFW at the end of January after he announced that he had "outgrown" the firm and was off to Bird & Bird. He said that he'd "been in negotiations with the firm for an orderly and good-natured exit" and was mystified as to why it was being so hard on him. Hmmmm, possibly that's because, according to RollOnFriday sources, he'd presented the firm with a lengthy letter from Herbert Smith explaining how he could drive a coach and horses through its partnership agreement and was entitled to go wherever he wanted whenever he wanted.
FFW took its own advice from Winckworth Sherwood, told Herbies to sling its hook, and sent Abell off to sit at home with his thumb up his fundament.
And there he still is, as both sides continue merrily to brief against each other. The Lawyer reported that Abell controlled around £15m of revenue, while insiders at FFW mutter that the true figure is about 10% of that. Ultimately neither side emerges with much credit, and Bird & Bird must be wincing at all the bad publicity surrounding its new hire. So much so, in fact, that it has declined to confirm his appointment.
Neither Bird & Bird nor FFW would comment.
Tip Off ROF
Abell was suspended by FFW at the end of January after he announced that he had "outgrown" the firm and was off to Bird & Bird. He said that he'd "been in negotiations with the firm for an orderly and good-natured exit" and was mystified as to why it was being so hard on him. Hmmmm, possibly that's because, according to RollOnFriday sources, he'd presented the firm with a lengthy letter from Herbert Smith explaining how he could drive a coach and horses through its partnership agreement and was entitled to go wherever he wanted whenever he wanted.
FFW took its own advice from Winckworth Sherwood, told Herbies to sling its hook, and sent Abell off to sit at home with his thumb up his fundament.
That's another cunning plan, Baldrick |
And there he still is, as both sides continue merrily to brief against each other. The Lawyer reported that Abell controlled around £15m of revenue, while insiders at FFW mutter that the true figure is about 10% of that. Ultimately neither side emerges with much credit, and Bird & Bird must be wincing at all the bad publicity surrounding its new hire. So much so, in fact, that it has declined to confirm his appointment.
Neither Bird & Bird nor FFW would comment.
Comments
90
90
103
100
87
74
94
97
Don't know about "accounts" but, from comments from those who were definitely in the know + accounts info/sight of generally (why on earth do these people think drawings are "secret", he was head and shoulders above all other partners + because of that and other reasons, was subject of much envy/loathing.
Oh well, fractures sadly inevitable, only surprise is that it has taken so long!
One thought (could be totally wrong re this) but the (not so slow) descent seems to have gone nuclear post Moira Gilmour - missed in many more ways than one methinks!!!!!!!!!
101
97
'he was head and shoulders above all other partners'
Hmmm, I wonder who could have written this modestly worded comment?
Presumably it was written by a big-hearted, well-wisher.
96
106
68
92
104
104
I love comments like this. Any article on The Lawyer website on Mark Abell is usually filled with comments from anonymous "clients" saying how great he is and how badly FFW has treated him.
75
99
96
100
104
102
106
98
I have rarely felt more ashamed to be a lawyer than when I heard Abell's absolutely horrendous, cringe making performance on the Today programme. Quite what 2Birds think they are playing at I simply cannot guess.