The international law firm Crowell & Moring LLP today announced the launch of its new TLD (Top-Level Domain) and Domain Name practice. As the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) prepares for the 2011 introduction of what may be the most significant extension of the domain name system since the introduction of .com, the TLD and Domain Name practice will counsel brand owners as to the best strategy to protect and enhance their brands and prevent infringement in this new and uncertain online environment, including whether and how to seek registration of new generic top-level domains (gTLDs). The practice, which offers a comprehensive team of intellectual property, Internet law, and dispute resolution lawyers, is co-led by Brussels-based partner Flip Petillion and Washington, DC-based partner John I. Stewart, Jr.

More >>

Wragge & Co’s Banking and Finance team has advised engineering group Dyson on raising £350 million to fund its expansion.

Partner Chris Brierley and associate Angela Boughton advised Dyson on a £270 million revolving credit facility from a syndicate of lenders comprising HSBC, Barclays, ANZ and Clydesdale. Simultaneously, director Edward Sunderland and associate Jonathan Segal advised the client on a £76 million secured private placement with US investors. Solicitor Paul Harrington advised on tax issues.

More >>

Global law firm White & Case LLP has advised FTSE 250 oil & gas company Afren plc on its recommended acquisition of the Toronto listed exploration company Black Marlin Energy Holdings Limited.

More >>

Global law firm White & Case LLP has advised Stadshypotek on the establishment of its US$15 billion US Medium Term Covered Bond Programme and follow-on issuance of US$1 billion of 1.45% Covered Bonds due 2013 and US$600 million of floating rate Covered Bonds due 2013. These were the first ever issuances of covered bonds in the United States by a Nordic issuer.

More >>

Increased scrutiny of mortgage servicers’ foreclosure practices during recent weeks – including accusations of inaccurate and fraudulent paperwork, self-imposed moratoriums, threats of lawsuits, and calls for hearings, investigations, and federal and state legislation, among much other activity – has left loan servicers across the United States scrambling to ensure that they have procedures in place to comply with applicable laws and to brace for possible challenges to their past practices.

More >>

Not even Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney would suggest its recent associate hiring decisions are the sign of a trend or something the firm plans on repeating, but they are noteworthy nonetheless.

More >>

Mayer Brown has advised investment company Mill Financial on its failed eleventh-hour bid for Liverpool FC, as US sports group New England Sport Ventures (NESV) completes its £300m takeover of the Premier League club.

More >>