Moves
UK & Ireland
Former Weil London head and top Kirkland restructuring partner join Sullivan & Cromwell
Sullivan & Cromwell said on the 1st September that it has appointed former Weil London head Mike Francies and Kirkland restructuring partner Kon Asimacopoulos as partners in its City office.
Ropes & Gray London Hits Latham for Private Equity Partner Hire
By bringing on private equity partner Cataldo Piccarreta from Latham & Watkins, Ropes & Gray has bolstered its London branch. After eight and a half years at Latham, mostly in the Milan office, Piccareta, who has led on acquisitions for investors including EQT and Bain Capital, is scheduled to join.
Five-partner boost for Eversheds in London with hires from Latham, A&O and White & Case
Eversheds Sutherland has strengthened its London team with five partner hires across structured finance, M&A, data and technology, and construction. Martin Corrigan joins from Latham & Watkins, bringing expertise in securitisation; Kashif Siddiqui arrives from Pepco Group with broad M&A experience; Karishma Brahmbhatt enhances the data and tech practice with a focus on privacy and AI; while James Holden and John Lurie, both from White & Case and Bechtel respectively, bolster the construction team with skills in arbitration and infrastructure projects. These moves come amid a wave of senior partner hires across major UK firms.
Stephenson Harwood Taps King & Spalding for London Private Equity Partner
Paul Barron is set to join Stephenson Harwood, having spent the past three years at King & Spalding, where he began in 2022
Stewarts hires Stephenson Harwood’s international arbitration head in London
Rovine Chandrasekera from Stephenson Harwood has joined Stewarts, a boutique law practice that focuses on disputes, as a partner in London.
Freeths continues to bolster Employment offering with strategic lateral hire in London
With the addition of Partner Melanie Stancliffe, renowned legal company Freeths has further enhanced its industry-leading employment offering. Having worked in the city for 25 years, Melanie frequently provides advice on a variety of employment-related issues to organisations, companies, and senior executives, including bankers, traders, and brokers.
CMS is happy to announce Sunil Mawkin’s appointment as a partner in its London-based Infrastructure, Construction and Energy (ICE) Disputes unit. Sunil leaves A&O Shearman to join. With an emphasis on international arbitration, Sunil has more than ten years of expertise providing advice on high-value, intricate construction and energy disputes in international markets.
Browne Jacobson have hired Marie Claire Scullion as Head of Employment in Dublin
Marie Claire Scullion has amassed over 20 years’ worth of experience advising on the day-to-day range of employment issues, such as performance management issues, termination of employment, equality and discrimination claims, senior executive exits, enforcement of restrictive covenants, non-compete and confidentiality clauses. She has moved from Eversheds Sutherland.
Shoosmiths taps former DLA Piper leader as advisor
Simon Levine, the former international managing partner of DLA Piper, has been named a strategic adviser to the board of Shoosmiths.
Americas
Sullivan & Cromwell Sees Exits in New York Amid Partnership Shuffle
Co-head of Sullivan & Cromwell’s private equity division, Brian Hamilton, is negotiating a move to Willkie. Lee Parnes, a corporate partner in the M&A division of Sullivan & Cromwell, is currently employed at Davis Polk.
Another Latham IP Litigator Jumps to Weil Amid Firm’s Boomerang Bonanza
Weil has brought back Joseph Lee, an IP litigator from Latham in Los Angeles, and Nate Christensen, a Dallas-based private equity attorney from Norton Rose—making them the 14th and 15th lawyers to rejoin the firm since the start of 2023.
Eckert Seamans Adds Immigration Experts in Phila.
In response to growing client demand brought on by increased immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott has hired two business immigration members, Minh Suh and Shaun Staller, to its Philadelphia office.
Pillsbury Grows Miami Office with 2 Real Estate Partner Hires from Weil
The business “found the right people at the right time” in employing lawyers Nellie Camerik and Pejman Razavilar, according to former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida Markenzy Lapointe.
Leading Appellate Lawyer Yaira Dubin Joins Sullivan & Cromwell from Solicitor General’s Office
Yaira Dubin has joined Sullivan & Cromwell LLP as a partner in the company’s New York office, the firm announced today. Ms. Dubin comes to S&C from the Office of the Solicitor General at the U.S. Department of Justice.
Morgan Lewis Hires Trade Sanctions Partner as Demand for Work Increases Alongside Tariff Tensions
Mike Huneke joins the Washington office of the firm. At Hughes Hubbard & Reed, he most recently served as co-chair of the export controls, sanctions, and anti-money laundering practice.
Miami-Dade County Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins Joins Kelley Kronenberg
Instead of going the “traditional route of Big Law,” the civil litigator decided that working for a midsize firm would better meet the interests and demands of her clients.
Kirkland Lands Latham Leader of Entertainment, Sports and Media Group
According to sources, Kirkland hired Frank Saviano to co-lead their sports practice.
In Continued Dallas Growth, Polsinelli Adds an M&A Shareholder from Atwood & McCall
Matt Smith, a recent stakeholder, claimed that his clients benefit from the Am Law 100 firm’s wide range of practice offerings and regional reach.
Dentons Former Global Finance Director Returns to Firm as New US CFO
Gina Santoro left the Atlanta-based company in 2021 to join Morris Manning & Martin, which was about to merge with Taft Stettinius & Hollister. According to Dentons, Santoro’s comeback coincides with the multinational company’s notable financial performance and expansion.
Ex-assistant to solicitor general returns to Paul Weiss in Washington DC
Masha Hansford, an appellate litigator, has returned to the firm after a wave of litigation defections following the Trump deal.
EMEA
Bird & Bird hires corporate crime, compliance and ESG expert David Schreuders as new partner
With the addition of David Schreuders as a partner in the Netherlands, Bird & Bird enhances its offerings in white-collar crime and international investigations. David and colleague Ruben Dijkhuis join.
Hogan Lovells further expands its Amsterdam M&A practice with the hire of Jaap Geleijns as partner
Geleijns is now an additional M&A partner in the company’s Corporate & Finance practice at its Amsterdam office. Jaap has over 13 years of experience from Linklaters, where he provided advice on numerous high-profile domestic and international M&A deals, including both public and private M&A.
Willkie Adds Competition Partner Elvira Aliende Rodríguez in Brussels
Elvira Aliende Rodríguez has joined the firm’s Brussels office as a partner in the Antitrust & Competition practice. EU competition law is the focus of her practice.
Lateral in Amsterdam Marks 6th Departure for Simmons, 6th Partner Hire for Eversheds Sutherland
Luc Cohen, a partner in the local real estate practice at Simmons & Simmons, has left the company to work at Eversheds Sutherland. After losing five partners to Taylor Wessing, Eversheds Sutherland has already hired six lateral partners in the past month.
HSF Kramer Brings in Dechert Paris Antitrust Partner
Laurence Bary appeared in Law.com International’s 2021 inaugural list of the best women in law for continental Europe.
EY welcome Benoit Rose in Luxembourg as a Partner.
EY law have added Benoit Rose from Pinsent Masons. Benoît brings over 20 years of experience in asset management across Luxembourg, France and Switzerland, including 15 years in senior management roles.
Squire Patton Boggs Appoints Leading Private Equity Lawyer in Germany
Leading German corporate and private equity attorney Robert Bastian has joined Squire Patton Boggs’ global Corporate Practice Group in Frankfurt as a partner. Prior to this, Mr. Bastian oversaw Dentons’ private equity division in Germany.
APAC
Covington IP Litigator Jumps to Wilmer
WilmerHale has hired IP partner Alice Ahn from Covington & Burling; based in San Francisco, she brings strong ties to Korea and aims to strengthen the firm’s Korean client base.
Charles Russell Speechlys Adds Partner Duo in Hong Kong
Francis Li and Wendy Fong from Squire Patton Boggs have joined Charles Russell Speechlys, a UK legal firm, as partners to grow its corporate practice in Hong Kong.
Hogan Lovells Takes Corporate Partner Duo from Paul Hastings China
Meka Meng and David Wang, both seasoned partners, will join Hogan Lovells in Beijing and Shanghai, respectively. With their exits, Paul Hastings will have five litigation partners left in its two offices in mainland China.
Hong Kong Boutique Hauzen Takes Fintech Partner from K&L Gates
Jay Lee, a Fintech and debt capital markets specialist who was a partner at K&L Gates in 2022, has joined Hong Kong boutique Hauzen.
Cooley Hires Venture Capital Partner from Gunderson Dettmer Singapore
David He was brought over from competitor firm Gunderson Dettmer to join U.S. legal firm Cooley as a partner in its venture capital and emerging firms practice in Singapore.
In-House
Eversheds Sutherland builds on strategic M&A capability with partner hire
Kashif Siqqiui, who was Head of Legal at Poundland before joining the international law firm’s London office, offers a wealth of experience and expertise in providing advice on intricate cross-border transactions.
Europe’s Advant Beiten Opens in London with In-House Hire
The verein firm has continued its expansion beyond Continental Europe with the hire of Sebastien Diehl from Standard Chartered.
US asset manager Vanguard taps Principal Financial Group for next legal chief
Tonya Robinson, who is retiring after less than a year, has been replaced as chief legal officer by Natalie Lamarque, who was hired by US investment behemoth Vanguard. Lamarque formerly served as general attorney at Principal Financial Group before joining.
Team Moves
Pierson Ferdinand Announces Five Partner Appointments Across Key Practices
One of the fastest-growing law firms in the world, Pierson Ferdinand LLP, announced in June that it has appointed five (5) Partners to its Corporate, Litigation, Real Estate, Securities, Data Privacy, and Healthcare areas. These hires show PierFerd’s ongoing success in luring seasoned legal professionals attracted to the Firm’s entrepreneurial spirit and collaborative, client-focused culture.
36 Chapman Glucksman Attorneys Move to Segal McCambridge in LA
All attorneys from Chapman Glucksman have joined Segal McCambridge as part of a combination, including founding partners Arthur Chapman and Richard Glucksman, who join as partner and counsel, respectively; the three California offices formerly operated by Chapman Glucksman will be closed following the transition.
Greenberg Traurig adds ‘major strength’ in Dubai with four-lawyer Norton Rose team hire
The group, which focuses on project finance and construction, is led by partners and recently hired practice heads Nicholas Kramer and Angela Croker.
Promotions & Appointments
People in the News—Sept. 2, 2025—McNees, Cohen Seglias
Five of McNees Wallace & Nurick’s attorneys—Ryan Gonder, Ashley Nichols Weber, Alison T. Smith, Errin T. McCaulley Jr., and Benjamin Ward—were elected to membership with effect from January 1, 2026.
People in the News—Sept. 4, 2025—Caesar Rivise, McAndrews Mehalick
Allison R. Tramontana has been promoted to partner with Caesar Rivise, the business announced on September 1st.
One Year After Merger Vote, Troutman Pepper Locke Announces New COO
“The combined firm is already looking at a financially successful 2025 in the eight months since the merger went into effect,” said Tom Cole, the chair of the firm. Troutman Pepper Locke is appointing its first-ever COO, Rob Adam, who will be joining from Dentons, effective at the end of September
Texas A&M University System Promotes 20-Year Employee to General Counsel
Seven years after receiving his law degree, in 2005, Brooks Moore began working in the system’s legal department and has since risen to the top.
O’Kelley And Sorohan Congratulates David Strauss On Being Elevated To Partner
The company is pleased to announce the addition of David Strauss as a partner.
Squire Patton Boggs’ Sydney Office Managing Partner Stands Down
Tony Chong, a managing partner in Perth, will take over for Graeme Slattery, who resigned from his position at Squire Patton Boggs’ Sydney office.
Dentons appoints UK banking partner as global chair to help lead ‘next phase’ of development
Susan Kelly, a highly regarded UK banking partner, has been named Dentons’ next chair, assisting in steering what she refers to as “the next phase” of the multinational behemoth’s growth after a time of explosive expansion.
Gibson Dunn names international arbitration co-chair as head of new Zurich office
Christopher Harris KC has been appointed as the partner in charge of Gibson Dunn & Crutcher’s new Zurich office. Harris, a senior silk in the London barristers’ chambers at 3 Verulam Buildings, co-chaired the international arbitration practice group before joining the firm as a partner in July.
Office Openings & Closing
First Ever Singapore Set Lands In London With Trio of Veteran Arbitrators
Veteran arbitrators Toby Landau KC, Jern-Fei Ng KC, and Matthew Gearing KC will become the first full members of the organization, which is named Duxton Hill Chambers London.
US Law Firms Acquiring More London Office Space as UK Firms Downsize
While U.K.-founded legal businesses have demonstrated a significantly lower square footage, U.S. law firms have increased their square footage in London over the last five years.
Gibson Dunn Launches Zurich Office, Expanding Its Foothold in Europe
Clients will receive advice on intricate multijurisdictional legal issues and international arbitration from the firm’s first office in Switzerland.
Global IP Group Rouse Expands to Australia and New Zealand
By partnering with the independent IP company Wrays Group, the global intellectual property corporation Rouse Group is growing into Australia and New Zealand.
Ex-Withers group launches London office for German tech law firm
A team from Withers has been appointed by the rapidly expanding German tech legal company YPOG to open its first overseas office in King’s Cross, London.
Six Key Ecija Partners Depart to Launch Veria, a Tech-Focused Legal Boutique
Pablo Márquez, former managing partner of Ecija in Colombia, and five other partners –Lorena Garnica, Patricia Renjifo, Carlos Hugo Ramírez, Camilo Ramírez, and Julio Castañeda – have left the Spanish law firm to focus on Veria, a boutique advisory firm specialising in technology and artificial intelligence. Ecija confirmed the move, describing it as part of a restructuring in Colombia, with new professionals set to join soon.
The six lawyers, who led Ecija’s entry into South America in 2021, now join Veria as partners. The firm emphasises client-focused, practical legal solutions backed by experience in the public sector, private industry, and academia.
5 Taylor Wessing Munich Partners Form Break Away IP Boutique
To start their own business, five patent partners are departing from Taylor Wessing’s formidable Munich patent litigation team. This follows Taylor Wessing’s previous successful European expansion strategy, which included lateral appointments in Paris and Amsterdam.
Akin opens in Chicago with four partners recruited from Mayer Brown
Akin Gump has launched its 18th global office in Chicago by bringing in a four-partner team from Mayer Brown, specialising in real estate funds and infrastructure M&A, led by Wendy Gallegos, former co-leader of Mayer Brown’s private funds practice.
Mergers & Alliances
Clyde & Co Launches Rotterdam Office via Local Merger
As part of its planned expansion in Europe, international legal firm Clyde & Co. announced the launch of a new office in Rotterdam, Netherlands, through a merger with Stadermann Luiten Advocaten (SLA).
Former DLA Piper Affiliate Merges with Fellow Brazilian Firm
A 137-lawyer firm is created by the merger of Campos Mello and Schmidt Valois, which was previously connected to Womble Bond Dickinson.
100 Days Since Merger, HSF Kramer Sets Out Ambitious US Growth Plans
In the upcoming years, the recently merged company hopes that 30% of its sales will originate from the United States.
Financials
Burges Salmon Reports 25% Profit Increase
Burges Salmon reported a 9.2% rise in turnover to £178m and a 25% profit increase to £63m for the year ending April 2025. Since launching in Edinburgh in 2019, the firm has expanded rapidly, with headcount growing 40% to over 1,200. Strong performance across key sectors and major client wins have driven nearly 50% revenue growth over four years. A 5% firm-wide bonus was awarded, reflecting its continued focus on people, inclusion, and strategic growth.
Norton Rose Fulbright has recorded its sixth consecutive year of growth across its EMEA operations, reporting a turnover of £610.3m for the 2024 financial year – a 52% increase from 2023, largely due to a change in reporting periods.
Technology & Innovation
Trust, Transformation & The Human Layer of AI
In the legal industry, artificial intelligence is changing how people communicate with one another and how internal stakeholders and clients see trust. In order to maximize the advantages of new technologies for our legal teams, how can we manage the revolutionary change that will occur over the next five to ten years?
The Ethical & Practical Use of AI in Patent Prosecution
A new generation of patent practitioners is rapidly adopting artificial intelligence as their “Google search bar,” yet there are significant ethical considerations when employing it in the practice of law. Lawyers must understand USPTO and CFR regulations as AI tools become more prevalent in routine patent prosecution to make sure their usage is both efficient and legal.
Is the Rise of AI a Real Threat to Associate Jobs?
One in five pre-law students fear artificial intelligence could replace their jobs in the future. Is there no need to be afraid?
AI Considerations in Investigations
AI allows investigators to concentrate on what really matters. They can devote more time to using professional judgment, evaluating the evidence, and applying the law.
Enterprises Risk Financial Fallout Without Robust and Universally Adept AI Governance Frameworks
In the face of a patchwork of international legislation, many organizations are faced with the difficult task of embracing AI’s transformative potential while minimizing their legal risk.
Market Commentary
The Holiday Gifting Dilemma: How Law Firms Can Get Gratitude Right
Giving gifts over the holidays is more than just a way to express gratitude and cheer. Finding something appropriate and meaningful while avoiding possibly expensive blunders is frequently a struggle.
7 Months after Arriving from UNC, Burr & Forman’s COO is Looking to Modernize Firm Governance
Burr & Forman, an Am Law Second Hundred firm, has turned to a chief operating officer recently hired from academia to steer its expansion as more and more firms, like Kirkland & Ellis, look beyond the legal sector to fill seats in their C-suites.
The Downturn of Hong Kong’s Legal Market Has Taken A Toll On Lawyers’ Mental Health
According to experts, many lawyers in Hong Kong and other Asian locations are under considerably more stress and pressure than usual.
‘You Don’t Have a Way of Challenging it’: What GCs Say About Inflated Hours
The issue has returned to the forefront due to the recent disbarment of an associate for excessively billing hours.
In a Big Lateral Year for Nelson Mullins, Houston Was a Hub for Activity
Over the past 12 months, more partners joined the Houston office, which has been in operation for a year, than any other of the firm’s outposts. In general, there were more leaving partners than entering couples.
This Law Firm Chair Has a Formula to Ensure Collaboration and Growth
According to Allan Ritchie, chair of a mid-sized Canadian legal firm, Loopstra Nixon has boosted its income and workforce by implementing a partner incentive plan that incentivizes attorneys to collaborate.
Is Sullivan & Cromwell Following the Paul Weiss London Playbook?
Sullivan & Cromwell’s recent high-profile hires in London suggest a potential shift toward a more aggressive growth strategy, echoing the bold expansion undertaken by Paul Weiss in recent years.
Amid Record-Breaking Rate Increases, Are Midsize Firms Leaving Money on the Table?
Midsize companies are under pressure to avoid pricing out clients while Big Law keeps raising billing rates. Rather than concentrating only on cutting expenses, these firms are using their specialized knowledge to draw in and keep clients while defending their prices.