With the leadership of Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) set to change on 1 May, the firm’s new managing partner Lisa Mayhew will have an expanded board to work with after the partnership voted German managing partner Roland Fabian and asset finance head Russell Clifford on to the body.
Frankfurt-based Fabian becomes the first international member of the BLP board. He joined from Linklaters in 2011 to spearhead BLP’s German capability, opening offices in Berlin and Frankfurt in the same year. As a real estate and infrastructure partner, he specialises in advising on cross-border real estate transactions with a focus on tax and restructuring.
In March, Mayhew saw off corporate chief David Collins to replace long serving managing partner Neville Eisenberg. Her battle with Collins was pitched as a battle of new BLP versus old BLP, and it’s notable that the two new board members are recruits from the Magic Circle and who joined the firm after the global financial crisis.
Clifford joined BLP in 2009 from Allen & Overy and has led the asset finance team since November 2010. Since then he has built an international team who advise clients on big ticket transactions from the financing and operation of shipping and other maritime assets to aviation and railway rolling stock.
BLP chairman Robert MacGregor said: ‘Russell and Roland will bring valuable skills and experience to the board and will play hugely positive roles in the continued development of our international firm. They have both built successful international businesses and I look forward to working with them on the board.’
tom.moore@legalease.co.uk
