Moves:
In-House
Sylvia Favretto appointed General Counsel of Mysten Labs
According to Sylvia Favretto, chief counsel at Mysten Labs, “working in crypto involves operating in gray areas without legal precedent, and the most successful attorneys can make informed decisions quickly even without clarity.”
Trump taps McKinsey lawyer to be general counsel at Commerce Department
Gentin would manage legal matters for a company that employs 48,000 people across 86 countries and has a diverse range of operations, from the Patent Office to the National Weather Service.
Upstart Insurer That’s Wowing Industry Hires AIG Legal Exec to Help Guide Global Expansion
Incoming international general counsel Chris Newby was commended by Ryan Specialty Group General Counsel Mark Katz for “not only his acute legal acumen and talented executive leadership skills, but also his deep knowledge of the UK and EMEA landscapes.”
Ex-Dr Pepper Chief Legal Officer Joins Varsity Brands
Jim Baldwin, a native of Dallas, worked for Keurig Dr. Pepper for 25 years, most recently as secretary, general counsel, and chief legal officer.
Basketball Players Union Taps David Kelly as General Counsel
Incoming General Counsel David Kelly described the opportunities for NBA players as “virtually endless.”
Advance Auto Parts Appoints Jeff Vining as General Counsel – Company Announcement
According to Shane O’Kelly, CEO of Advance, Jeff Vining’s “experience in supporting successful business transformations and driving efficiencies is critical for the success of our strategic action plan.”
Former Deutsche Bank GC Takes on Senior Government Legal Role
Simon Man, a GC for the bank since 2020, is joining the Government Legal Department (GLD) as Director of Treasury Legal Advisers, replacing longtime head and industry veteran Peter King.
Sven Dumoulin Leaves De Brauw to Join COFRA Holding as Chief Legal Officer
Sven Dumoulin, a partner at De Brauw, has held internal positions at Akzo Nobel and Unilever.
AI platform Inflection hires Withers partner as first GC
Veteran IT lawyer Doug Mandell has been appointed general counsel of Inflection AI, a US artificial intelligence company, a newly established role.
UK & Ireland
Mute Off co-founder leaves BCLP for Ontier
Claire Morel de Westgaver has left Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner to join the London partnership at Ontier. She was a co-founder of the digital platform Mute Off Thursdays for women in arbitration.
Energy, mining and infrastructure partner joins Simmons
Sara Barin has joined the London-based energy, natural resources, and infrastructure (ENRI) division of international law firm Simmons & Simmons as a partner. Sara has more than 15 years of experience in a variety of industries, such as mining, energy, and infrastructure. She has a strong background in project finance and project development (including PPPs), joint ventures, and M&A.
Winston & Strawn’s London Office Makes Double Department Chair Hire
With the hiring of partner Aparna Sehgal, who will chair the firm’s structured finance and real estate finance teams in the U.K. and Europe, the U.S. firm is growing its structured finance practice in London. Sehgal comes from Dechert, where she oversaw the practice of real estate and structured finance for the company.
Former Osborne Clarke partner joins Portland to enhance litigation communications
Adrian Lifely, a mediator and arbitrator, has been appointed as a senior advisor to Portland, a communications firm based in London. Lifely joins Portland’s litigation communications and disputes practice with over 30 years of experience in international conflicts, having previously served as a partner and head of commercial disputes at Osborne Clarke’s London office.
New leader and partner at O’Reilly Stewart Solicitors
Based in Belfast Aine Tyrrell has joined O’Reilly Stewart Solicitors as a partner in the healthcare division, while Stuart Gilmore has been appointed as the firm’s new managing director.
Walkers hires Dermot Casserly as partner and head of employment law team
Dermot Casserly has been named partner and head of Walkers’ employment law team in Ireland. Mr. Casserly, who previously worked at Beauchamps and KPMG, arrives from DWF, where he oversaw the personnel unit.
APAC
Chinese Firms Seize the Day, Hire Partners from Kirkland and Paul Hastings in Hong Kong
Gary Li of Kirkland and James Ma of Paul Hastings have departed for Chinese law firms Zhong Lun Law Firm and Jingtian & Gongcheng, respectively.
Dentons welcomes two new partners
Dentons adds two new partners, welcoming Melbourne Infrastructure, Energy and Major Projects Partner, Matt Coleman, and Sydney Financial Institutions Partner, Louise McCoach.
Wotton Kearney sets sights on strategic expansion of its government practice with new partner
Wotton Kearney welcomed Clare McNamara as a partner in the firm’s Canberra office, further solidifying its expanding government practice. Clare, who joins from Clayton Utz, has over 25 years of experience advising Commonwealth departments, including Treasury, Infrastructure, Health and Ageing, and Defence.
Withers Hires Disputes Partner From Morgan Lewis to Lead Litigation Group in Singapore
The addition comes a year after the firm’s most recent co-managing partners in Singapore were finances expert Daniel Yongthe and white-collar crime specialist Shashi Nathan.
Charles Russell Speechlys Hires Investment Funds Head from PwC Legal Affiliate in Hong Kong
Gaven Cheong will be Charles Russell Speechlys’ sixth lateral partner hire in Asia in 12 months.
EMEA
BonelliErede Hires Veteran Cleary Gottlieb Partner in Rome
As co-head of the firm’s international arbitration practice, BonelliErede has brought on Ferdinando Emanuele, a veteran partner at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton. He will collaborate with Paolo Di Giovanni and Andrea Carlevaris.
Investment Funds Lawyer Nabil Abou-Charaf Joins Kirkland & Ellis
Among the many domestic and international business transactions and agreements that Mr. Abou-Charaf advises on are fund formation and investments, mergers and acquisitions, co-investments, joint ventures, and corporate governance issues.
Pinsent Masons reinforces Middle East financial services practice with new hire
After working with Lean Technologies for a number of years as General Counsel and Head of Compliance for operations in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, Marie Chowdhry rejoins Pinsent Masons. Marie has developed a wealth of expertise advising a diverse range of clients in the financial services, payments, and technology industries through her private practice and internal positions.
Lucas Pitts is a well-known international arbitration and litigation attorney with more than 15 years of local expertise and a track record of assembling teams to handle business conflicts.
Alexander Israel has joined Morrison Foerster, a renowned international law firm, as a partner and chair of the European Competition Practice within the firm’s Global Antitrust Law Practice Group.
Proskauer Welcomes Partner Gwenaël Kropfinger in Paris
Proskauer, a renowned worldwide law firm, is happy to welcome Gwenaël Kropfinger as a partner in its Tax Department in Paris. In this role, he will enhance Proskauer’s assistance for clients in asset management and private capital who are investing in Europe.
McDermott Welcomes New M&A Partner in Milan
Alfonso de Marco joins the Milan-based international law firm McDermott Will & Emery as a partner in its transactions practice. Alfonso provides customers with advice on the purchase, growth, and disposal of Italian multi-asset portfolios, with a focus on the energy and pharmaceutical industries.
Matthias Kiesewetter, a lateral partner hire, has joined Eversheds Sutherland’s Hamburg office. Matthias formerly worked as a partner in the Global Mergers and Acquisitions Practice Group at the multinational law firm White & Case, where he joined in 2018.
Partner hire strengthens German and cross-border ENRI capabilities
Sergei, who joined Simmons from another multinational law firm, offers a wealth of experience in the ENRI sector to the company. He specializes in multi-jurisdictional transactions in the energy and energy transition sectors, as well as in project and export finance and infrastructure.
Simmons hires ENRI M&A specialist in Milan office
By adding partner Tommaso Tomaiuolo to its Milan corporate and commercial practice—which also includes Andrea Pototschnig, Giulio D’Argento, and Gianluca De Donno—international law firm Simmons & Simmons has strengthened its energy, natural resources, and infrastructure (ENRI) capabilities in Italy and abroad.
Herbert Smith Freehills expands South Africa team with Corporate M&A partner hire
With twenty years of experience and knowledge in all facets of M&A, including reorganizations, private equity, and general corporate transactions in South Africa and the rest of Sub-Saharan Africa, Ziyanda is a lawyer specializing in M&A and private equity. Mining, health, financial services, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, real estate, and private equity are just a few of the industries she has advised clients in.
The Americas
King & Spalding Snags Restructuring Duo from Alston & Bird
New York-based Eric Wise and Matt Kelsey have previously collaborated at Gibson Dunn, Kramer Levin, and Weil.
Daniel Gitner, Former Chief of SDNY’s Criminal Division, Joins Debevoise as Partner.
Partner Helen Cantwell stated, “No matter what or who sits in Washington, our clients need the best advice.” “That is why we bring on people like Dan [Gitner] and Nick Folly.”
Lisa M. Lind Brings High-Level Public Company Experience to McGuireWoods
Lisa M. Lind, a public company attorney who advised boards and executives at two publicly traded businesses on legal and strategic matters, has joined McGuireWoods as a Pittsburgh partner.
Gibson Dunn confirms Katie Townsend has rejoined the firm’s Litigation and Media, Entertainment, and Technology Practice Groups as a partner in the Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. offices. Katie’s practice will focus on representing clients on a wide range of First Amendment, media, and technology-focused litigation and advisory matters.
Vanessa Roberts Avery Rejoins McCarter & English
The former District of Connecticut U.S. Attorney brings a wealth of both public and private expertise to the role.
Holland & Knight Grows Corporate Practice in Texas with Addition of Ronnie Skloss in Austin
In order to strengthen the firm’s corporate division in Texas, a significant market since the 2021 merger with Dallas-based Thompson & Knight, Ronnie Skloss joins as a partner in Austin.
Big Law Firms Sheppard Mullin, Morgan Lewis and Baker Botts Add Partners in Houston
With recent hires in the fields of international arbitration, energy finance, and health care, Texas remains a hot spot for lateral partner hiring.
Latham’s Lateral Hiring Picks Up Steam, With Firm Adding Simpson Practice Head, Private Equity GC
The firm has now announced at least four lateral partners in the last three days.
Daniel LePera Named Partner at Unruh Turner Burke & Frees
Dan has been a key member of the Real Estate and Business Transactions Practice Groups at Unruh Turner Burke & Frees since entering the firm. Commercial and residential real estate, manufacturing and industrial, and municipal sectors are just a few of the industries he serves.
Meet the Former NFL Player Now Back at Vinson & Elkins
“Competitive lawyering and competitive athletics are very similar,” says Conrad Bolston, a former employee of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission who now rejoins Vinson & Elkins.
Saul Ewing Loses Two Partners to Fox Rothschild, Marking Four Fla. Partner Exits in Last 13 Months
After over seven years at Saul Ewing, Franklin Zemel and Alan Poppe are leaving for Fox Rothschild in South Florida, which promises more resources for the pair’s growing litigation practice.
Dentons US Names Capital Markets Leader Managing Partner
Alongside two current U.S. business heads, John Holahan will continue to run his own practice.
Kevin Spencer joins White & Case as a partner in Washington, DC
In complex tax disputes, Spencer represents corporations, ultra-high net worth individuals, and their affiliated businesses before the IRS Examination and Appeals divisions and federal courts, such as the US Tax Court, District Court, Court of Federal Claims, and US Circuit Courts of Appeals.
Team Moves
Blank Rome Adds Life Sciences Trio from Reed Smith
Litigation partner Shannon McClure arrived in Philadelphia, and regulatory partners Emily Hussey and Rachael Pontikes joined Blank Rome’s Chicago office.
Attracted by the firm’s worldwide presence and extensive bench, seven attorneys from the midsize firm Seward & Kissel, including the head of the company’s asset securitization and CLO (collateralized loan obligations) practice, have jumped to Haynes and Boone.
Willkie Adds Five-Lawyer Team from Quinn Emanuel in Germany
Willkie Farr is hiring Quinn Emanuel’s office managing partner-led team just months after the firm also hired a restructuring team from Latham & Watkins.
DWF takes team of 53 from Hall & Wilcox
After hiring nine partners from Hall & Wilcox in November, the insurance law company DWF has pounced on the Australian firm to take on a staff of 53 lawyers.
KWM Adds Three New Partners in Singapore and Australia
Three new members have joined King & Wood Mallesons’ partnership: construction litigator Ben Davidson from Melbourne, real estate expert Lizzie Knight from Canberra, and debt capital markets attorney Andy Ferris from Singapore.
Webber Wentzel Announces Strategic Appointments to Strengthen Key Practice Areas
The firm’s dedication to development and the extension of its expertise in important practice areas, including as banking, corporate, commercial, and dispute resolution, is demonstrated by these significant hires. Phased in between January and June 2025, the new partners will join the firm.
Financials:
In Record Year for Baker Botts, Revenue Up 11.8%, PEP Up 17.6%
As the Houston-based company benefited from investments made in 2023 and high demand from clients with complex cases, Baker Botts reported record revenue and profits in 2024.
Leaning Into ‘Core’ Strengths, Jenner’s Revenue Climbs 17%, Profits Soar 23%
According to Jenner, the company’s demand climbed by “4 or 5% last year,” and nine of its 17 “primary teams” each surpassed a target of 15% revenue growth.
HSF Accounts Show US Operating Losses Last Year but Revenue Increased Slightly
If approved this month, the firm’s 2023-24 LLP accounts will be its final ones before its transatlantic merger with Kramer Levin takes effect.
White & Case Crosses $4M in PEP, $3B in Revenue in ‘Breakthrough Year’
White & Case now has about equal numbers of equity and nonequity partners following a 12.2% expansion of the nonequity partnership tier.
Exceptional Growth Becoming the Rule? Demand Drove Strong Year for Big Law
According to a recent Citi poll, rate hikes mitigated rising costs, allowing increased demand across a range of activities to propel revenue growth into the double digits for the typical law firm.
Milbank’s Revenue and Profits Hit Record Highs
The record year saw a 23% increase in total revenue and a 33% increase in average earnings per equity partner. The firm reported a 40% increase in income from its London location.
Freshfields’ revenue surged to £2.1bn in 2024 buoyed by strong US growth
With the help of a 26% increase in US fee income, Freshfields’ revenue increased by 18% last year, pushing it over the £2 billion line to reach £2.1 billion.
Promotions & Appointments
Cooley Announces Ian Shapiro as Chair of Global Litigation Department
Ian Shapiro was formerly the department’s vice chair under Michael Attanasio’s leadership.
People in the News—Feb. 5, 2025—Eckert Seamans, Rawle & Henderson
For the remainder of 2025, Jennifer M. Caron, a member of the Harrisburg-based Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott firm, will serve as president of the Lower Allen Township Board of Commissioners, replacing her previous position as vice president.
Reed Smith Welcomes New Chief Marketing & Business Development Officer
The most recent employer of Gillian Ward, a 30-year veteran of the legal marketing industry, was Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner.
On the Move and After Hours: Einhorn Barbarito; Gibbons; Greenbaum Rowe; Pro Bono Partnership
Einhorn, Barbarito, Frost, Botwinick, Nunn & Musmanno elevates three attorneys to partner and one to counsel; Gibbons brings on a new chair of the financial restructuring and creditors’ rights group; and more moves.
People in the News—Feb. 7, 2025—Gawthrop Greenwood, Lamb McErlane
Stephen R. McDonnell, a shareholder and attorney, has been chosen by Gawthrop Greenwood to serve as the chair of the management committee.
On the Move and After Hours: Einhorn Barbarito; Gibbons; Greenbaum Rowe; Pro Bono Partnership
Gibbons appoints a new chair of the financial restructuring and creditors’ rights group; Einhorn, Barbarito, Frost, Botwinick, Nunn & Musmanno promotes three lawyers to partner and one to counsel; and other changes.
Resolute Mining Appoints London General Counsel—CEO Resigns Following Foreign Detention
The resignation comes after the CEO and two other staff members were detained in Mali after local authorities there contested the terms of the business’s activities there.
Slaughter and May Announces Next Managing Partner
Slaughter and May has elected David Johnson as its next managing partner, succeeding Deborah Finkler in the role. Having worked with companies including BHP, GSK, and SEGRO, Johnson has decades of experience in both public and private M&A. He became a partner nine years after joining the firm in 1991.
On Thursday, Jones Day revealed six new leadership roles for Jones Day partners, including three new office managing partners and three new practice co-leaders. The antitrust and competition law practice is now co-led by Craig Waldman of Washington, D.C., and Alexandre Verheyden, a partner located in Brussels.
Four new partners at Philip Lee
Niall Donnelly, Alison Murray, Patrick Kane, and Jennifer Darcy have all been upgraded to partner status by Philip Lee. As a member of the energy and natural resources team, Mr. Donnelly specializes in providing customers with advice on intricate projects and energy-related regulatory issues, particularly those involving renewable energy transactions.
Diversity & Inclusion:
Hogan Lovells, Jenner & Block Challenge Trump EOs Impacting Gender-Affirming Care
“These Executive Orders are unlawful and unconstitutional,” transgender people’s attorneys stated in a complaint aiming to overturn President Donald Trump’s twin decrees that denied financing for gender-affirming medical therapy to anybody younger than 19.
Lawyers Across Political Spectrum Launch Public Interest Team to Litigate Against Antisemitism
The Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law said Thursday it will create a team of around 20 attorneys and other personnel to litigate antisemitic issues. Prominent national law firms will provide external counsel to support this project.
Office Openings & Closing:
Reed Smith Joins Saudi Legal Boom as Firms Race for Market Share
The most recent law firm to obtain a Saudi license is Reed Smith, which joins an increasing number of American and British firms vying for lucrative Vision 2030 contracts and private sector mandates.
BCLP Announces Launch in Saudi Arabia
The firm plans to open offices in both Riyadh and Al-Khobar. More than ten law companies are apparently awaiting clearance to open offices in Saudi, while at least 18 law firms with headquarters in the United States and the United Kingdom currently hold Saudi licenses.
Dozens of Swift Currie attorneys start new firm Marsh Atkinson and Brantley
“We feel very good about the group that we have and the fact that we’ve been able to assemble lawyers who we’ve worked together with for a very long time,” said Terry Brantley, now the managing partner at Marsh Atkinson & Brantley after holding the same title at his old firm.
Brooklyn Prosecutor Returns to Private Practice to Co-Found Wrongful Conviction Boutique
Ten former defendants were cleared during the three years that Charles Linehan oversaw the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office’s renowned conviction review section.
Trinity International Expands with Singapore Office, Eyes Growth in Infrastructure and Energy
Fiona Gulliford, a London partner of the firm, has moved to Singapore. Additionally, Trinity hired George Williams as its city counsel and named Maxime Damphousse as its managing director.
FisherBroyles Enters Mexico in First Step of Planned Latin American Expansion
Bravo Abogados, a corporate company based in Monterrey, a northern industrial center with offices in Saltillo and Mexico City, was acquired as part of the expansion into Mexico. According to Daniel Larkin, chair of FisherBroyles’ international practice division, his company chose to enter Mexico due to the close economic ties between the U.S. and Mexico.
Technology & Innovation:
Big Law Partner Co-Launches Startup Aiming to Transform Fund Formation Process
Computer scientist Kristen Gandhi and former Paul Hastings associate Esther Chiang are starting a company called SmartEsq with the goal of simplifying laborious fund formation procedures.
In an effort to do away with human metadata tagging, Ivo also introduced its contract search tool.
The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Commercial Real Estate Transactions
Commercial real estate is just one of the industries that artificial intelligence is transforming.
The UK-based Microsoft partner is the latest in a long series of M&A moves for Litera.
Lawyers have no choice but to embrace AI, Master of the Rolls says in LawtechUK speech
According to Master of the Rolls Sir Geoffrey Vos, judges and attorneys have “no real choice” but there are compelling arguments for them to adopt AI.
Market Commentary:
Growth of California Firms Exceeded Expectations, Survey of Managing Partners Says
35% of the enterprises surveyed reported “significant growth” of at least 10%, while over half of the firm’s reported growth between 2023 and 2024.
Data Breaches in UK Legal Sector Surge, According to ICO Data
According to recent study from NetDocuments, a company that offers a cloud-based document management platform for the legal industry, there has been a “significant surge” in databreaches according British legal professionals. According to a review of ICO data, insiders are responsible for half of data breaches, with human error being the cause of one in three occurrences.
Return to Work Mandates Among Current Mental Health Stressors for Legal Professionals
In this week’s Legal Speak episode, Stacey Dougan, an Atlanta-based lawyer-turned-therapist, expounds on the current state of mental health in the legal profession following a recent string of widely publicized national tragedies and divisive politics.
Legal Leaders Need to Create a High-Trust Culture
Law.com writes that Leaders must come to terms with the principle that trust building is a two-way process and requires prolonged efforts to establish. Setting the tone entails acting as an example of reliability and trust. Nothing is more detrimental to an organization than a breakdown in trust, which can manifest itself in a variety of ways every day.
Some Elite Law Firms Are Growing Equity Partner Ranks Faster Than Others
In order to expand their wallet share with their current, important clients, elite law firms are focusing on lateral partner groupings.
UK Lawyers Seeking Mental Health Support Hits All-Time High
Lawyers seeking mental health support increased by 24%, according to LawCare.