Linklaters has made a key trusts hire in the City, while US firms Mayer Brown, Baker & McKenzie, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius and Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe have all made strategic appointments in London.
Linklaters has added Forsters partner Peter Golden to its ranks, to lead the firm’s trusts practice. Golden has a variety of private clients in trusts, tax wills and probate law. Linklaters global head of corporate Matthew Middleditch said: ‘Peter is highly experienced in establishing trusts for UK and offshore individuals and assists in the ongoing management of clients’ assets, affairs and estates. I am excited about the breath of fresh air he will bring to the trusts practice at Linklaters.’
Mayer Brown has added to its London ranks with the addition of Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) lawyer Guy Wilkes. Wilkes joins as a partner having been the acting head of department within the enforcement and market oversight division, retail and regulatory investigations at the regulator.
On his return to private practice, Wilkes will advise on both UK and cross-border enforcement actions and investigations of UK and non-UK financial service firms, including working on the UK component of enforcement actions that more and more frequently have a multi-jurisdictional character. The co-leader of the firm’s finance services regulatory and enforcement practice Thomas Delaney said: ‘There is an increasing need for our clients to conduct internal investigations as well as continuing to deal appropriately with enquiries from regulators and other authorities. Guy brings significant strategic expertise to this area.’
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius is another US firm which has made a key appointment in London, expanding its competition practice with the hire of partner Omar Shah, its tenth partner hire in London since last summer. Arriving from Latham & Watkins, Shah handles civil claims for alleged breaches of competition law and represents clients in commercial and regulatory proceedings, including judicial reviews. Firm chair Jami McKeon said Europe is a key area for antitrust enforcement, with the European Commision very active in pursuing investigations into alleged cartels. She added: ‘In addition, clients are increasingly litigating in Europe for breaches of EU competition law.’
In the same week, Latham also lost corporate lawyer Angus Miln to Taylor Wessing. Venture capital lawyer Miln joins the firm’s corporate technology team. Taylor Wessing international head of technology, media and communications Mike Turner said: ‘Angus’ established market position and industry expertise fit seamlessly with our strategy and existing client base. We are very excited by his arrival within the team, which will further consolidate our position as the destination practice at the top end of the market.’
Baker & McKenzie has hired Scott Nelson from ENSafrica in order to boost the firm’s private equity practice. Nelson has more than two decades of experience and was head of ENSafrica’s Africa practice group in London. Baker & McKenzie global head of private equity Mike Fieweger said: ‘Seeking growth opportunities in emerging markets is currently the number one priority for the PE industry. With interest in Africa at record levels we are delighted to welcome Scott to the firm at a time when fundraising, investments and exits are all rising and look set to continue to do so over the coming years.’
In a move to continue the expansion of its energy offering, Orrick has hired oil and gas sector adviser Peter Roberts as the new head of its global oil and gas practice. Roberts, who was the head of the oil and gas practice at Andrews Kurth, will be based in the firm’s London office and is the seventh member to join Orrick’s London energy team in the past year.
Hired from Ashurst in 2013 to lead Andrews Kurth’s London outpost when the Texan firm launched in the City, Roberts is recommended by the Legal 500 for his work in projects, energy and natural resources. Orrick chairman Mitch Zuklie said: ‘We are thrilled to add such an experienced and well-known oil and gas advisor as Peter to our London office and global team. With the talent Orrick has added recently in Houston, London, Africa and beyond, the firm is building a truly distinctive offering for the energy sector.’
Meanwhile Eversheds has enhanced its corporate team by appointing Sebastian Orton from Jones Day. Recent mandates for Orton include advising Made.com on a fundraising round and Peel Hunt on its IPO of real estate trust Regional REIT. Eversheds commercial practice group head Keith Froud said: ‘We have a strong and active capital markets client base, with a healthy balance between banks and issuers, and Sebastian’s appointment is testament to our commitment to provide our clients with the highest quality advice and to build this part of our business still further.’
victoria.young@legalease.co.uk
