BP has kicked off a review of its UK panel, inviting firms including Simmons & Simmons and Ashurst to tender for spots on the roster.
Other firms expected to pitch include Addleshaw Goddard, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Linklaters, CMS Cameron McKenna, Pinsents Masons, Herbert Smith Freehills and Norton Rose Fulbright, all of which are on its current panel.
The review follows BP’s appointment of a new general counsel this year, after former legal chief Rupert Bondy exited for Reckitt Benckiser. Former BP Americas general counsel Eric Nitcher was promoted to the top job, which is based in London.
The current panel is due to expire on 1 July 2017 after a three-year term. One partner at a BP panel firm said the review process was ongoing and would complete before the summer.
The oil giant last reviewed its UK legal roster in March 2014, when it added Addleshaws, Simmons and Ashurst to the panel for the first time, and dropped Fieldfisher.
That year BP also introduced an online auction bidding system for its panel in order to attract competitive fee structures from firms.
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