Allen & Overy (A&O) has made a key hire for its US securities practice with David Flechner joining the firm’s New York office. Flechner joins from Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton where he worked for a decade.
Flechner represents issuers and underwriters in SEC-registered and private offerings of debt and equity securities, predominantly focusing on Latin America. A&O said the appointment was in line with the firm’s strategy to grow its US securities practice, which currently has 24 partners.
Meanwhile magic circle rival Linklaters has hired Loyens & Loeff partner Guido Portier who joins as a civil law notary partner in the firm’s Amsterdam office. Portier was at Loyens & Loeff for ten years and had headed the firm’s corporate practice in its New York office. Linklaters said the hire was about strengthening the firm’s capability in the Dutch market.
In London, Simmons & Simmons has expanded with the appointment of Will Greig as a partner. The firm, which last week reported a modest 1% half year revenue rise, said Greig’s appointment is part of continued development and investment in its property finance practice. Greig joins from Pinsent Masons and specialises in real estate finance transactions with expertise in domestic and international cross border real estate financing. Simmons banking group head Alyson Lockett said: ‘Working closely with partners Mark Waghorn and Simon Kildahl, his experience will provide additional capability to our focus across the areas of real estate finance, insurance and construction.’
Down under, Clyde & Co has picked up five partners in Sydney who join with the firm with another 25 lawyers, all from Lee & Lyons. David Lee and Lucinda Lyons, who founded Lee & Lyons in 2002, join with partners David Amentas, Michelle Dunne and Christopher Smith in February next year. Clyde & Co senior partner James Burns said: ‘Australia is an increasingly important market for our clients and one in which we are seeing significant and rapid growth. We are committed to providing our clients with the leading insurance capability in Australia and the Asia Pacific region and this expansion is in line with that ambition. ‘
Meanwhile Fladgate has appointed a corporate team of two partners and an associate from Fasken Martineau. The West-end firm said the appointment of partners Nigel Gordon and Chris Chrysanthou and associate Zehra Kofturcu will add to the firm’s extensive AIM practice. Gordon was the heads of Fasken’s corporate practice group in London and co-head of the firm’s mining practice, while Chrysanthou also focuses on capital markets and M&A in the life sciences sector. Fladgate chairman Charles Wander said: ‘We expect the combined team to be recognised as one of the leading AIM practices in the UK. In addition, the significant experience that Nigel has gained through advising on the first central London-focused residential REIT to be admitted to AIM will also enhance our real estate and funds capability.’
victoria.young@legalease.co.uk