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Rocketing revenues at White & Case as London sees another double-digit boost

Ensuring that last year’s striking financial performance was no fluke, White & Case has unveiled another set of enviable results as 2021 global revenue jumped 20% from $2.4bn to $2.87bn.

London partner and executive committee member Oliver Brettle (pictured) told Legal Business that the firm’s global revenues had grown by 76% in five years, and that the latest increase marked White & Case’s largest annual jump in 25 years.

In London, the firm has maintained a similarly electric pace with turnover increasing 12% from $397m to $445m, although this is slower than the 18% growth rate recorded in the City last year. Brettle pointed to an impressive 53% boost in London turnover since 2016, and a strong recent track record of City recruitment. Last year, White & Case hired Allen & Overy litigation veteran Lawson Caisley, and in December added M&A heavyweight David Lewis from Clifford Chance.

And in terms of London work highlights, White & Case has joined many firms in riding an M&A wave in the past year, acting for Avast on its $9.2bn merger with NortonLifeLock in August. In another standout mandate, the firm assisted Hertz Global Holdings on a successful financial restructuring, providing a full $19bn payout in debt and claims while returning more than $1bn in value to shareholders.

The results made for good reading all round for White & Case, as the firm’s profit per equity partner (PEP) grew 17% from $3m to $3.5m, marginally bettering last year’s 16% increase and was coupled by a modest 6% swell in equity partner numbers from 342 to 363. Overall lawyer numbers grew by a larger margin, 9% from 2257 to 2464, meaning revenue per lawyer climbed by 10% from just over $1m to $1.165m.

It was a bumper year for White & Case in Asia, with revenues climbing by an impressive 30%. The Americas was similarly successful at 23%, while EMEA grew 15%. Brettle hailed this global influence on the firm’s results: ‘Each region has been incredibly strong; we are a truly global firm. In our last set of partner promotions, 64% were non-US-based, which really underlines the point.’

And on the people front, the firm also boasted an impressive record from its last set of global partner promotions, with 50% of those elevated in London being women, and 24% of those from the US and UK self-identifying as from an ethnic minority.

Tom.baker@legalbusiness.co.uk

This story first appeared on Legal Business.

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Happy 200th birthday: Ashurst chief Jenkins re-appointed for four-year term

In an emphatic endorsement of five years’ sustained revenue growth, Ashurst global chief executive Paul Jenkins has been reinstated for a further four-year term from 1 November 2022.

Having originally been elected CEO in 2016, Jenkins has successfully guided Ashurst through a tricky post-merger period, with revenues far exceeding expectations. Turnover stuttered in the years immediately following Ashurst’s 2013 merger with Australian firm Blake Dawson, but over the course of Jenkins’ tenure the firm’s revenue has jumped by 40% with an average annual growth rate of over 7%.

In the latest round of financial results in July 2021, Ashurst breached the £1m-profit-per-equity-partner barrier for the first time since the global financial crisis, while revenues received a double-digit boost to reach £711m. 

Just like in 2019, Jenkins’ appointment was based on extensive consultations with the firm’s partnership and staff as conducted by Ashurst’s board – underlining his popular internal support.

Ashurst’s global chair Karen Davies, who was elected in 2021 as successor to Ben Tidswell , said of Jenkins: ‘This significant growth has been achieved through setting a clear vision and direction for the firm and disciplined strategic planning. It has included sharpening the firm’s sector focus, strengthening our capabilities in key markets and focusing on our clients and people. Inclusion, diversity and belonging has been a particular priority, as has advancing our responsible business and sustainability agenda.’

Jenkins said he relished that his appointment will coincide with Ashurst’s 200th anniversary in 2022, before setting out his key priorities: ‘Ashurst, like any other business, will be managing the lasting effects of the pandemic during 2022 and beyond. Continuing to adjust to the societal and economic impact of the pandemic will be key, including prioritising the ongoing health and well-being of our people, and encouraging new ways of working.

‘We are focused on unlocking growth for our clients, and see opportunities across our five priority sectors arising from the significant investment by our clients in sustainability, energy transition, digital transformation and new digital assets. The opportunities for growth point to a future that is very different to the past.’

In terms of strategic highlights from his current term, the firm points to ‘significant investments’ in its new law business Ashurst Advance as well as its consulting arm, Ashurst Consulting. Ashurst claims that the Advance platform has nearly doubled in size each year of Jenkins’ tenure, while Ashurst Consulting has turned over more than £10m in revenue since its 2020 launch.

Since the 2020 financial year, Ashurst has achieved 30% revenue growth in Continental Europe. And in more people-focused achievements, the firm has reached a 30% target of women in senior leadership roles, with 50% on Ashurst’s global executive team and 61% in senior business services roles.

Looking ahead, Jenkins told Legal Business: ‘Generally law firms have had a solid 12 months. I don’t want to speak too soon but common with the market, we are seeing very strong activity over the last nine months. All the signs are positive.’

Tom.baker@legalbusiness.co.uk

This article first appeared on Legal Business.

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Management merry-go-round as CC, Mayer Brown and Watson Farley name new leaders

Capping off a week of significant change in big law’s C-suites, Clifford Chance has appointed financial markets partner Charles Adams as its next managing partner.

Adams will succeed incumbent Matthew Layton on 1 May 2022, when he will commence a four-year term. For his part, Layton was re-appointed for a second term in 2017, after improving operational rigour, bolstering partner performance and ushering in shake-ups to CC’s historically restrictive lockstep model . During Layton’s second term, CC boosted revenues by 35% and profit per equity partner by 65%.

Adams has been CC’s regional managing partner in continental Europe since 2018, and in that time has also sat on the firm’s executive leadership group. Prior to this role, he served as office managing partner for CC’s Italian offices between 2007 and 2014. In winning the support of the CC partnership, Adams fought off challenges from London structured finance partner Jessica Littlewood and Singapore-based project finance partner Nick Wong.

Adams said: ‘At Clifford Chance we have all the ingredients to continue to shape the legal industry: an outstanding global platform, deep and broad market-leading expertise and a strong, dynamic and ambitious culture. The past few years have shown what we can achieve, and I see many opportunities to work with partners and all my colleagues across Clifford Chance to build on that success. At the heart of all we do will be ensuring that we are the absolute first choice for our clients and for the best talent in the market.’

Elsewhere, Mayer Brown on Tuesday (14 December) announced that banking and finance partner Dominic Griffiths will succeed Sally Davies as London managing partner. Davies, who has held the position since 2017, will be stepping down at the end of the year to focus on her responsibilities as part of the firm’s eight-lawyer global management committee.

Joining Mayer Brown in 2005, Griffiths (pictured) served as co-leader of the firm’s global banking and finance practice since 2014. He also has valuable experience with fostering junior talent, thanks to his well-established position as Mayer Brown’s graduate recruitment partner.

A 2019 Legal Business Life during law feature on Griffiths saw him discuss, among many other things, his annoyance at ‘boring lawyers’, his love of Winston Churchill, and his general bon viveur approach to life.

Jon Van Gorp, global chair of Mayer Brown, described Griffith’s elevation as ‘great news for the London office.’ He added: ‘He is a talented leader, whose unique skills combine great knowledge of the firm, our clients and the London market. I am confident that he will build on Sally’s work to ensure that we continue to thrive.’

Speaking to Legal Business, Griffiths said: ‘I’m incredibly honoured to be chosen. I have been at the firm for a long period of time, and I am keen to transfer my previous focus on the finance practice into the future growth of the wider firm.

‘This will include outward-facing engagement with City institutions and consolidating our incredible network of banking institutions, funds and corporates. But it will also mean promoting the brand of the firm, which I consider to be one of a small handful of elite transatlantic practices with a broader network in Asia and South America. I would define our future approach to promoting our strong internal talent and attracting high quality lateral hires as “measured but serious growth”‘.

It is also an end of an era at Watson Farley & Williams, with longtime leadership duo Chris Lowe and Lothar Wegener stepping down as co-managing partners. The firm has opted to shuffle its management structure by appointing George Paleokrassas and Lindsey Keeble as its new senior partner and managing partner respectively for a five-year term starting in February 2022.

The outgoing Lowe and Wegener took on their roles in 2014, and can be credited with largely improving the firm’s form by focusing on its rigid sector specialisms , despite less favourable financial results of late. This summer, the firm recorded a 1% dip in revenue to just over £180m.

New senior partner Paleokrassas has substantial experience at the firm, having led WFW’s Athens office since 2005, building it up to become the largest international law firm in Greece. He is also a well-regarded shipping finance specialist with experience both in Greece and internationally.

Keeble previously headed up the firm’s London assets and structured finance group covering aviation, maritime and rail – a team which has now grown to 27 partners. She has also led the firm’s maritime sector since 2013 and is a highly-respected operator in that industry.

Keeble commented: ‘George and I both recognise the immense responsibility of our new positions and of ensuring the continued strength and longevity of the business, where our people have the chance to develop, express their views and ideas and have the opportunity to grow and ultimately see their careers fulfilled within the firm.’

On the lateral hire front, Linklaters has recaptured a pair of partners to boost its corporate and financial regulation practices. In Hong Kong, M&A and private equity specialist Betty Yap re-joins the firm from Paul Weiss, where she was China managing partner. She has extensive experience in cross-border M&A, strategic investments, joint ventures, special situations transactions and foreign direct investments involving China.

And in London, Carl Fernandes has returned to Linklaters from Latham & Watkins, bringing with him a practice focused on advising a range of financial services clients on complex regulatory issues. Linklaters’ Asia managing partner William Liu said: ‘The hire of these prominent industry veterans reflects our commitment to further enhancing our truly “world class” client offering. The wealth of experience they will bring to our well-established private equity/M&A and financial regulation practices, will enable us to provide unrivalled expertise to our clients to support them in maximising the opportunities in this diverse market.’

Fieldfisher has launched a new commercial crime practice via the hires of barristers Quinton Newcomb and Shiv Haria-Shah from boutique set Fulcrum Chambers. Newcomb is a highly experienced commercial crime, investigations and compliance specialist, who can boast representing Rolls-Royce, Alstom, Rio Tinto and ENRC in high-profile Serious Fraud Office investigations.

Haria-Shah additionally brings expertise in conducting internal investigations, and advising and training corporate clients on good governance and compliance procedures, helping them to guard against regulatory risk.

Outlining their ambitions, Newcomb said: ‘Fieldfisher is committed to building a market-leading practice, handling the most significant commercial crime, investigations and compliance work globally, with a dedicated and highly specialised team. I look forward to working with both my new and longstanding teammates to realise this goal.’

Finally, Milbank has strengthened its London antitrust capabilities with the hire of Andrea Hamilton, who joins from the Brussels office of McDermott Will & Emery. She brings nearly two decades of global experience in antitrust aspects of mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, litigation, compliance and counseling, as well as foreign direct investment.

Alexander Rinne, head of Milbank’s European antitrust practice, stated: ‘As the UK continues to extend the scope and rigour of its foreign investment control regime, Andrea’s expertise will be essential for clients to effectively navigate this regulatory hurdle.’

tom.baker@legalease.co.uk

This article first appeared on Legal Business.

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Michelmores Virtual Graduate Open Day – Thursday 20th January 2022

Michelmores is pleased to announce its open day for 2022 which will take place on Thursday 20 January.

This session will give you an insight into life as a trainee at Michelmores, find out more about our training contracts and practice areas, plus speak to our current trainees and new qualified solicitors about everything from the application process through to their journey with us.

Would you like to attend? If so click here to find out more and register your interest.

Any questions please email gradrecruitment@michelmores.com.

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Revolving doors: Cleary makes Bay Area move as HogLov and Squire enhance Africa offerings

In a bold Bay Area play, Cleary Gottlieb has announced that it is opening in California with the arrival of renowned antitrust trial lawyer Heather Nyong’o and the relocation of a team of partners and associates from its New York and Washington DC offices to Palo Alto and San Francisco.

Nyong’o was partner-in-charge of WilmerHale’s San Francisco office and leader of its California antitrust and competition practice. She joins long-standing Cleary antitrust partners Brian Byrne and George Cary, white-collar partner Jennifer Kennedy Park, M&A partner Benet O’Reilly, and a team of six associates.

This move builds on Cleary’s many decades representing California’s leading technology companies, private equity firms, and other clients on transformative global antitrust, M&A, enforcement, and capital market matters.

‘We have long advised California clients on their most complex, sophisticated matters. The shifting regulatory environment and evolving needs of businesses across sectors adds compelling reasons to provide these clients with on-the-ground support,’ said Cleary managing partner Michael Gerstenzang. ‘We’ve assembled an outstanding team with the arrival of Heather and relocation of Brian, George, Jen, Benet, and a half-dozen fantastic associates. We will build on this strong foundation by expanding our Bay Area presence with additional exceptional talent in the coming months.’

Also in the US, Clifford Chance has appointed US and international tax specialist Paul Seraganian as a partner based in New York. Seraganian, who joins from Canadian Global 100 firm Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt, where he was managing partner of its New York office, has more than 20 years’ experience in advising on the tax aspects of cross-border corporate transactions, securities offerings, financings and funds and investment management. He has significant experience in advising clients regarding tax-free and taxable reorganisations and acquisitions as well as structuring, operating and unwinding joint venture arrangements.

Head of CC’s US tax, pensions and employment group, David Moldenhauer, said: ‘As we observe the continued internationalisation of business and investment transactions and the related increase in the complexity of these transactions and client structures, Paul’s arrival to the firm further secures our ability to provide first-class advice on critical tax issues.’

Meanwhile, Hogan Lovells has announced the hire of Pinsent Masons partner Chris Green as it expands its corporate and finance capabilities in Johannesburg.

Green leads Pinsents’ South African transactional services practice, focusing on blue chip cross-border corporate M&A work across sectors that include consumer goods, financial services, telecoms and energy & natural resources for clients such as Coca-Cola Beverages Africa, AB InBev and BASF.

Commenting on the appointment, Johannesburg managing partner, Wessel Badenhorst, said: ‘We present the ideal platform for Chris to grow both domestic and worldwide relationships, significantly enhancing and complementing our expertise as well as our brand and presence in South Africa more generally.’

Meanwhile Squire Patton Boggs has enhanced its Africa offering and continued the expansion of its international disputes practice with the addition of Timi Balogun, an Africa projects and disputes specialist, who joins the firm in London as a partner.

Balogun has extensive experience in dispute resolution and international arbitration, acting for African governments, state entities and national oil and gas companies in high-profile disputes. He spent six years as general counsel of The Infrastructure Bank, formerly the Urban Development Bank of Nigeria, in Abuja, before joining Curtis Mallet-Prevost Colt & Mosle in London in 2015, where he was later promoted to partner.

He recently represented the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation in commercial arbitration proceedings regarding disputes over oil lifting entitlements and was part of a team of lawyers that defended Nigeria in efforts to resist the recognition of a $10bn award in favor of P&ID, a BVI entity.

Peter Stewart, co-coordinator of Squire Patton Boggs’ Africa practice, said: ‘Timi is a rare commodity. In addition to his disputes expertise, he is a skilled and experienced project finance practitioner with a strong in-house counsel background. He is also qualified in both the UK and Nigeria, operating at a high level in both jurisdictions and globally. All of these qualities, combined with his deep knowledge of energy projects, make him a natural to take on a leadership role in our Africa practice and serve as a great asset for our clients.’

King & Spalding has boosted its Singapore corporate team with the arrival of Parveet Singh Gandoak from Skadden, where he was counsel.

Gandoak joins King & Spalding as a partner in the firm’s corporate, finance and investments (CFI) practice group, where he will focus on advising multinationals, sovereign wealth funds, private equity sponsors and venture capital firms on cross-border M&A and other deal-related activity in a range of sectors including tech, media, telecoms, energy and insurance.

Todd Holleman, head of King & Spalding’s CFI practice, said: ‘Parveet’s blend of international experience and entrepreneurial spirit further enhances our Asia M&A and private equity practices. He has a strong background in advising blue-chip clients on some of their largest and most complex transactions in south-east Asia and India, which taps straight into our existing transactional practice.’

In London, Kirkland & Ellis has recruited Ashurst private equity tax partner Alexander Cox. Cox focuses on the structuring of investment funds, including advising in relation to management company tax issues and carried interest. In addition, he also has significant experience advising on real estate tax matters covering both the establishment of real estate funds and the M&A transactions they undertake.

‘Alexander is a leading tax partner in the European private equity market who regularly advises financial sponsors on the structuring of their investment funds,’ said Jon Ballis, chairman of Kirkland’s executive committee. ‘We are delighted that Alexander is joining us and this will further strengthen our global tax team.’

mark.mcateer@legalbusiness.co.uk

This article 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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Taylor Wessing STEM trailblazing open day 25 November 2021

Are you a STEM student who is interested in a career in law? Join us on our STEM Trailblazing open day on 25 November 2021 to find out more about Taylor Wessing.

You will hear from senior lawyers and trainees and have an opportunity to experience our culture and values.

Apply online at https://www.taylorwessing.com/graduates.

The deadline to apply is 22 November 2021, although we encourage early applications.

To be eligible to attend you must be a final year STEM student or STEM graduate as this open day will be focussed on our vacation scheme opportunities.

About Taylor Wessing

Taylor Wessing is a global law firm that serves the world’s most innovative people and businesses. Deeply embedded within our sectors, we work closely together with our clients to crack complex problems, enabling ideas and aspirations to thrive. Together we challenge expectation and create extraordinary results. We work with clients in the world’s most dynamic industries and help them succeed by advising on their businesses throughout their life cycle. Specialising in technology, media and communications, life sciences, real estate, energy and infrastructure and private wealth, we act for 32 of the world’s top 50 brands; some of the world’s most exciting start-ups and unicorns; and some of the world’s wealthiest families. A diverse client base allows us to advise on more than just the law. We’re a firm that encourages new ideas and different ways of doing things. Our experts play an essential role in advising clients on business growth and protection, while introducing them to new people, new markets and fresh perspectives that will help their businesses stand out and flourish.

Collaboration is key to our success. We recruit a wide range of students including those who haven’t studied Law. Diversity & Inclusion Creating an inclusive working environment and recognising the value diversity brings to the firm is key to our people strategy at Taylor Wessing; it’s what makes Taylor Wessing a great place to work. Diversity in all professions is very important and the legal profession is no exception. The end goal for any firm is to create and maintain a supportive environment for everyone regardless of their background, culture or lifestyle. Our trainees are involved in shaping out culture through our inclusion networks. These cover: gender balance, LGBT+ inclusion, racial equality, social mobility and physical and mental health and wellbeing.

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CC Live: Together We Are One Firm & a chance to win a free 1-1 coaching session with a Clifford Chance recruiter

Date:  Thursday 28th October

Time:  4-6pm UK/5-7pm CEST/11-1pm EDT

Registration link: https://opportunities.cliffordchance.com/jobs/together-we-are-one-firm-28th-october-2021-4586

Clifford Chance would like to send you a personalised invitation to an incredible event we have on Thursday 28th October which will showcase how a law firm works collaboratively on commercial and pro bono matters. This is an unmissable event for anyone who wants to understand what working at a truly global law firm can look like and is interested in finding out more about the opportunities available

We are teaming up with several of our offices across the UK, Europe and the US to bring to you this free, virtual, event showcasing the collaborative nature of our Firm. You’ll have the opportunity to hear from lawyers across multiple jurisdictions, talking about their involvement in one of our biggest cross-jurisdictional deals to date. There will also be chance to hear about the scale and breadth of our pro bono work headed up by Tom Dunn, with lawyers from across Europe who will provide a good insight into the range of work we’re currently involved in that focuses on issues such as LGBT+ rights, war crimes, human rights and children’s rights.

Following the panel discussion, you can join a networking booth with the speakers and ask them any questions about their presentations and you’ll also have the chance to network with the HR teams and some representatives from your region. There will be representatives from our offices in Paris, Frankfurt, Madrid, Dusseldorf and Luxembourg to name a few!

If you register and attend the session you could be in for a chance to win a 30 minute one-on-one coaching session with a senior member of the recruitment team from your region.

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Macfarlanes Practice Area Open Day – 25 November

Thursday 25 November from 4-7pm (via Hopin)

The Macfarlanes practice area open day is a unique opportunity to hear from partners, solicitors and trainees across all practice areas. You will also be able to meet the Macfarlanes inclusion and CSR and graduate recruitment teams, so come prepared with lots of questions! The practice area open day is a law fair style event, allowing you to join at a time convenient to you and ‘drop-in’ to the specific areas you wish to learn more about.

“I found that attending the practice area open day was a very useful experience for a number of reasons. Firstly, speaking with partners and other fee earners from each practice area gave me a much better feel for what trainee life would be like at Macfarlanes and allowed me to picture myself as a trainee at the firm. I also learned a great deal of information about Macfarlanes which is not readily available elsewhere, which helped me to tailor my application and preparation for my assessment day. Overall it was a very interesting event and I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in Macfarlanes”.

Martha Barnes, future trainee solicitor

Sign up to attend here.  Signups will close on Monday 22 November 2021.