Several firms have made noteworthy strategic appointments in the past week, with Nabarro, Pinsent Masons and Hogan Lovells all adding to their benches.
Nabarro is building up its construction practice with the dual hire of partners from Irwin Mitchell and Pinsent Masons. The firm has added David Parton, Irwin Mitchell’s head of construction, as well as Chris Hallam who was a partner in Pinsent Masons’ transactional construction team. Nabarro senior partner Graham Stedman said: ‘Investing in our four sectors is a fundamental commitment as part of our strategy. This is proof of that commitment and focus.’
Going the other way, Pinsent Masons has taken three lawyers from Watson Farley & Williams (WFW). The firm has appointed energy and infrastructure planning specialist Gareth Phillips and two of his team members. Phillips had led the planning practice at WFW and joins as part of a major targeted investment into Pinsents’ planning and parliamentary team which now has over 100 lawyers in the UK including over 40 specialists based in London.
Allen & Overy, which suffered the exit of an eight lawyer team to BonelliErede last week, will also farewell Dusseldorf partner Birgit Reese, who is joining Hogan Lovells. Reese is an M&A lawyer who focuses on insurance and reinsurance companies. She is expected to start at Hogan Lovells this month.
Hogan Lovells global head of corporate David Gibbons said: ‘Birgit considerably enhances our leading Germany practice and illustrates our on-going commitment to one of our key markets. Her strong reputation for providing practical solutions to complete complex transactions is right in line with how we serve clients.’
Finally, the world’s second biggest law firm by revenue, Baker & McKenzie, has made a high-profile hire with the appointment of former Canadian Attorney-General Peter MacKay. MacKay joins as partner in the firm’s Toronto office from today (1 February). He has more than 20 years of experience as a member of the House of Commons and has served in senior roles in the Canadian government.
victoria.young@legalease.co.uk
