Tag: revolving doors

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Revolving doors: Kirkland adds more magic circle partners as Akin Gump strengthens restructuring team

As the pound reached a record low against the dollar, US firms have continued to wield their hiring power in the City, adding several high-profile laterals to their ranks.

Kirkland & Ellis bolstered its infrastructure funds practice with two magic circle hires. It recruited the Legal 500-ranked leading individual James Boswell from Clifford Chance and Paul Sampson (who was described by Jon Ballis, chairman of Kirkland’s executive committee, as a ‘a rising star in the European funds world’) from Allen & Overy. These hires follow the arrival of A&O’s global co-head of infrastructure Sara Pickersgill last week.

Meanwhile, Akin Gump welcomed restructuring partner Sam Brodie back to the firm after 18 months at Shearman & Sterling. Brodie first joined Akin Gump as counsel as part of a team from Bingham McCutchen led by James Roome and was promoted to the partnership in 2018. He re-joins as Roome readies to retire, marking an end of an era for the City restructuring practice.

Of his return, Brodie told Legal Business: ‘It was a really compelling opportunity for me to rejoin Akin Gump not only to help manage the ever-increasing client demand, but also to help develop the restructuring and special situations practices, as well as to help bring on the next generation of talent within the team.’

Elsewhere, CMS’s co-head of construction has joined Clyde & Co after more than 28 years at the firm. Victoria Peckett, who was promoted to partner in 2002, has a breadth of contentious and non-contentious experience, including in projects in sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America.

Clyde & Co’s chief executive officer Matthew Kelsall said: ‘Construction is one of our core sectors and we have ambitious plans to continue to grow the practice globally in both depth and breadth, as contractors face both huge opportunities and significant risks as they continue to navigate today’s challenging business environment. Attracting a lawyer of Victoria’s calibre is clearly aligned with that focus on growth.’

Osborne Clarke added corporate energy partner Matt Lewy from Womble Bond Dickinson. He has more than a decade of experience in renewable energy and infrastructure M&A having previously worked at CMS and Baker Botts. Lewy is the fifth partner to join the firm’s renewable energy sector group this year following the arrivals of projects partners Hugo Lidbetter (who joined in January from Fieldfisher) and John Deacon, Hannah Roscoe and Dominic O’Brien, who all joined from Orrick in March.

Finally, in Madrid, Pinsent Masons strengthened its European finance capabilities with the addition of José Millán from Penningtons Manches Cooper, where he headed the banking and finance team. This follows the launch of the firm’s financial services-focused Luxembourg office in July.

Megan.mayers@legalease.co.uk

This story first appeared on Legal Business.

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Revolving doors: HSF takes two senior New York litigators from Hogan Lovells as Littler expands in Portugal

Amid a hectic week for lateral partner recruitment, Herbert Smith Freehills has picked up two former Hogan Lovells financial litigation partners in New York to boost its US operations.

A significant blow for Hogan Lovells, global head of financial services litigation Marc Gottridge and New York administrative partner and fellow financial litigator Lisa Fried are the high-profile departures.

A seasoned litigator with over three decades of experience, Gottridge handles large-scale, cross-border and complex litigation and regulatory enforcement for international clients in the financial services industry. Fried represents some of the world’s leading financial institutions and other global companies in complex commercial litigation, major class actions, and investigations.

Scott Balber, managing partner of HSF’s New York office, described the pair as ‘established market leaders in financial services litigation with a deep wealth of experience in the space.’ He added: ‘Their addition will underline the strength of our practice in New York and adds to our already compelling offering.’

Continuing its expansion into Europe, US employment specialist Littler has launched in Portugal via an association with domestic employment firm DCM Lawyers. The new entity, DCM Littler will have offices in Lisbon and the Algarve, and will be staffed by three lawyers, two trainee lawyers and three paralegals.

It comes four years after the firm opened in London, via a tie-up with boutique GQ Employment Law. On the Portugal opening, global practice leader and chair of the international employment practice Peter Susser said: ‘This dynamic group of lawyers has carved out a space for themselves as go-to labour and employment counsel in Portugal, and we look forward to collaborating with them to help clients in the region navigate an increasingly complex legal environment.’

In the City, Debevoise & Plimpton has made a major disputes play, bringing in former Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer litigator Patrick Swain as a partner. An established figure in commercial disputes, Swain has guided clients through high-profile claims involving M&A-related and other shareholder disputes, commercial fraud claims, professional negligence litigation and contentious insolvency.

Michael Blair, Debevoise’s presiding partner, commented: ‘Our litigation practice in the UK has long worked at the highest level of the market, achieving a series of high-profile wins in the country’s most senior courts. Patrick fits that mould perfectly, having a proven track record of working with sophisticated clients on their most business-critical litigation matters.’

Also in London, Baker McKenzie has hired Andrew Hedges as a partner from Norton Rose Fulbright to bolster its corporate EMI (energy, mining and infrastructure) practice. Hedges, who attended the COP 26 summit on behalf of Baker McKenzie this week, has expertise in assisting clients engage with energy transition and decarbonisation.

Richard Blunt, head of Baker McKenzie’s head of corporate EMI for EMEA, said: ‘A talent like Andrew is hard to find. Andrew’s skillsets in and in-depth knowledge of the energy and carbon markets are hugely valuable. His ability to speak knowledgeably to, and direct practice in the issues associated with the energy transition and renewables assets, will enable us to win further mandates in the energy infrastructure M&A and development spaces, where we are keen to expand our market share.’

Charles Russell Speechlys is the latest firm to take advantage of the recent Mishcon de Reya pre-IPO exodus , appointing Madalina-Andreea Dumitrescu as a commercial disputes partner.

Dumitrescu is an experienced adviser on a wide range of contentious and commercial issues for ultra-high-net-worth individuals, and has a dual litigation and arbitration practice. Managing partner Simon Ridpath noted that her client base spanning the Far East, Middle East and Europe chimed with the firm’s key markets.

Norton Rose Fulbright has strengthened its London project finance bench with the hire of partner Alistair Black from Dentons. He specialises in the development and financing of major energy projects and has particular experience relating to advising sponsors, bidders and lenders within the oil and gas, LNG, petrochemicals and power sectors.

Black said of his switch: ‘At this key moment for the energy sector, the energy transition will be hugely influential in shaping the EMEA region’s energy future and I look forward to adding to the firm’s excellent offering in this area.’

Orrick had a productive week of recruitment, appointing a new partner in both London and New York. In London, the firm has hired tax partner David Klass from Hunton Andrews Kurth, bringing with him expertise in the tax aspects of UK, cross-border and international corporate and finance transactions.

And in New York, the firm has welcomed IP partner Rob Parr from Wilson Sonsini. Parr advises clients on transactions focused on the exploitation of IP rights and technology across various industries, including fintech, cleantech, AI, software, hardware, media and digital health.

Similarly fruitful this week was Reed Smith’s recruitment, as the firm hired partners in both London and Dubai. In the City, the firm has reinforced its corporate trust capabilities with the dual hire of partner Paulette Mastin and counsel Paul Regan from Linklaters. Renowned for her counsel on complex trustee matters, Mastin advises bank and independent corporate trustees, agents and companies on a variety of capital market transactions.

And in Dubai, Reed Smith has appointed contentious energy partner James Willn, formerly head of Stephenson Harwood’s construction practice for the Middle East and North Africa region. Willn advises a broad range of clients, primarily within the offshore oil, gas, construction, energy and maritime industries, on the formation of international contracts and disputes.

In France, Shearman & Sterling has landed a four-partner transactional team from DLA Piper, greatly strengthening its presence in the region. Xavier Norlain, Jeremy Scemama, Maud Manon and Matthieu Lampel are the incoming partners, who collectively offer specialisms in M&A, private equity, leveraged finance and restructuring.

David Beveridge, Shearman’s senior partner, said: ‘Each of these new partners brings with them a wealth of experience and the addition of this renowned team exponentially enhances our expertise in Paris.’

Doubling down on its Paris recruitment from last week, BCLP has further grown the office with the appointment of M&A partner Frédéric Jungels from Allen & Overy. Jungels focuses on acquisitions and the sale of listed and unlisted companies on behalf of both French and international clients. He also has significant experience in joint ventures, tender offers and corporate governance matters.

Jungels said: ‘BCLP is a fast-growing firm in France, and joining this adventure is a challenge that I am very excited to be part of.’

CMS has hired a leading financial restructuring partner in Hong Kong, with Kingsley Ong joining from Eversheds Sutherland where he led its debt capital markets, structured finance, securitisation and restructuring and insolvency practices in Asia.

Caryn Miller, CMS partner and joint managing director for Asia and the Middle East, said of the hire: ‘Kingsley’s extensive international experience, including in London and Singapore, means that we will be able to leverage more from our Finance platform across the APAC region and significantly strengthen our capabilities on the ground in Hong Kong.’

Tom.baker@legalbusiness.co.uk

This article first appeared on Legal Business.

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Revolving doors: Goodwin lures capital markets guru as Ashurst boosts derivatives practice

Amid the latest round of lateral hires, Goodwin has picked up capital markets partner and ESG specialist Ariel White-Tsimikalis from Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner in London.

White-Tsimikalis specialises in advising investment banks, corporates and private equity funds on equity capital markets transactions, but also offers advice to listed clients on their ESG obligations.

David Mardle, partner in Goodwin’s technology and life sciences practice, commented: ‘Ariel’s first-class equity capital markets experience will be an integral part of both our service offering to our portfolio of emerging growth clients as well as further growing our strong global relationships with leading financial institutions.’

Ashurst has boosted its London derivatives practice with the hire of former Norton Rose Fulbright (NRF) partner Daniel Franks. A derivatives and structured finance expert, Franks has experience across a broad range of capital markets transactions, particularly in the fintech industry.

Mike Logie, Ashurst partner and head of global markets, described Franks as ‘an exceptionally well-regarded practitioner.’ He added: ‘Our reputation in sell-side work is second-to-none and Daniel will be a great addition to the practice, enhancing our client offering with both his sell-side and buy-side expertise.’

As one derivatives partner leaves NRF, another one arrives. This week the firm welcomed partner Yusuf Battiwala, who joins from Dentons. He regularly advises on derivatives and structured finance work, both conventional and Islamic. Battiwala works across all major asset classes including rates, FX, credit, equities and commodities and his clients include banks, corporates and funds.

‘Norton Rose Fulbright has one of the most reputable banking and finance practices in the world with strength across all major regions and matter types,’ Battiwala said. ‘I look forward to joining the team to grow the firm’s market-leading offering to clients and to help them achieve their strategic objectives.’

Also in the City, King & Spalding has recruited executive compensation and employee benefits partner Robert Marshall from Jones Day. He has an extensive background of assisting public and private companies on executive compensation and equity plan issues on a global basis, spanning 140 countries.

Todd Holleman, head of King & Spalding’s corporate, finance and investments practice group, hailed Marshall’s international impact: ‘Clients increasingly require a global approach to their compensation and benefits schemes and Rob will be a vital aspect of further building our European and global capabilities.’

DAC Beachcroft has appointed Emily Senior as a partner to its health sector practice, previously leading Capsticks’ clinical negligence team in Leeds. She joins DAC’s health and social care sector group and has experience in matters relating to the likes of clinical risk and maternity incidents.

BCLP has pulled off a contentious recruitment coup in Paris, hiring two partners from White & Case as well as two associates. Philippe Métais and Elodie Valette are the joining partners, both of whom share expertise in banking litigation and regulation as well as commercial and white-collar crime matters. Métais previously led White & Case’s litigation team in Paris.

Constantin Achillas, co-managing partner of BCLP’s Paris office, said: ‘The arrival of Philippe and Elodie supports our ambition and strengthens our litigation offering. The synergies of our consolidated litigation department, together with the firm’s other practices of competition, restructuring, financing, M&A and real estate, further enhances our ability to respond to the diverse and complex disputes and situations our clients face.’

Despite shedding a couple of disputes practitioners in the French capital, White & Case has made amends by appointing M&A partner Xavier Petet following his exit from Clifford Chance. Petet advises on cross-border and domestic private equity transactions and corporate M&A, with particular experience in the technology, healthcare, energy and infrastructure sectors.

‘Xavier is a well-known up-and-coming practitioner in the French private equity market, whose energy and strong private equity pedigree will help further grow out EMEA private equity capabilities’, said White & Case partner and EMEA section head for M&A and private equity, Thierry Bosly. He added: ‘His addition will drive both the quantity and quality of private equity mandates handled out of Paris and further enhance the team’s stature in the market.’

Tom.baker@legalbusiness.co.uk

This article first appeared on Legal Business.

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Revolving doors: A&O launches Silicon Valley tech team as Linklaters hires litigation star

In a major expansion of its US operations, Allen & Overy (A&O) has made an eye-catching move for seven White & Case technology partners to establish a new Silicon Valley presence.

Making the switch are partners Shamita Etienne-Cummings, Bijal Vakil, David Tennant, Eric Lancaster, Adam Chernichaw, Daren Orzechowski and Alex Touma. The new multidisciplinary team will be headed by Orzechowski and Vakil, with all of the arriving partners operating from the current locations in Silicon Valley, San Francisco, New York and Washington DC.

The team will offer a combined strength in technology disputes, transactions, patent litigation and intellectual property. As well as a new Silicon Valley hub, the team transfer will also provide A&O with a new San Francisco office.

A&O senior partner Wim Dejonghe said: ‘All businesses are technology businesses now. Our clients have been asking us when we will have a presence in Silicon Valley and now we are adding an offering that we will grow to serve as the firm’s centre of excellence in a range of technology areas. This is truly a top team and integrating them into our existing practice will be game-changing for us, not just in the US, but in our capabilities to serve clients in the key markets of Europe and Asia as well.’

Continuing the Magic Circle’s US push this week, Linklaters has appointed litigation heavyweight Richard Smith as a partner in Washington DC, a rare exit from Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan. With over 30 years’ experience, Smith has an established reputation in litigation, particularly in white-collar defence.

Prior to private practice, Smith spent 15 years as a senior government prosecutor and was the former principal deputy chief for litigation of the fraud section of the US Department of Justice, Criminal Division.

Adam Lurie, head of Linklaters’ dispute resolution practice in the US, commented: ‘I’ve worked across from Richard on high-profile cases and our clients will benefit from his extensive experience, outstanding judgement and exceptional advocacy skills.’

In the UK, Walker Morris has made a significant addition to its real estate group, hiring partner George Bacon from Eversheds Sutherland. Ranked by The Legal 500 as a ‘leading individual’ for real estate in Yorkshire and the Humber, Bacon was previously head of real estate for Eversheds’ Leeds office.

Bacon said: ‘As a unique one-site firm located in Leeds, Walker Morris’ entrepreneurial philosophy, excellent reputation and breadth of expertise give it a distinctive edge and I am looking forward to being a part of one of the strongest specialist real estate teams in the country.’

Bird & Bird has expanded in London with the addition of experienced corporate finance partner Nick O’Donnell, who joins from Baker McKenzie. O’Donnell has spent 20 years advising clients across the technology, healthcare, energy, retail, media and financial services sectors on M&A, equity capital markets and ESG matters.

He has significant pedigree, having worked at Allen & Overy for over a decade with secondments at Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs.

Matt Bonass, head of Bird & Bird’s corporate group in London, said: ‘He has an excellent track record of advising on upper mid-market, cross-border deals; and his reputation is outstanding. We’re looking forward to having him onboard!’

Finally, in New York, Squire Patton Boggs has hired tax partner Jeffrey Koppele from Ashurst. Koppele has a wide practice advising clients on both domestic and international transactions, as well as dispositions, bankruptcy and restructurings, funds and investments, capital markets transactions and real estate investments.

Mitch Thompson, global head of the tax strategy and benefits practice group, said: ‘The expansion of our US tax team is an important part of our global growth strategy and Jeff will be significant boost our US and international tax offering to clients.’

Tom.baker@legalbusiness.co.uk

This article first appeared on Legal Business.