Allen & Overy (A&O) has underlined the importance of its global employment practice with a significant hire in France, recruiting highly regarded partner Claire Toumieux to head its employment and benefits department in Paris.
Toumieux joins from 18-partner, top-tier local employment firm Flichy Grangé Avocats where she was a partner, along with a team of three associates – Susan Ekrami, Alexandre Couvreur and Alexandre Orts. A recommended partner in The Legal 500 EMEA, Toumieux has experience of representing both listed and unlisted corporate groups and investment funds through mergers and acquisitions, collective bargaining agreements and reorganisations.
She was re-elected for a second two-year term as vice chair of the European Employment Lawyers Association (EELA) in September. She joined Flichy Grangé in 2000, before which she was at Gide Loyrette Nouel for four years.
A&O Paris managing partner Jean-Claude Rivalland said: ‘We are truly delighted to welcome Claire. Now, more than ever, employment law is one of the central concerns of our clients and is a key part of our firm’s growth strategy. Claire is well-known and highly respected as a lawyer in Paris. We are confident that she will bring a fresh impetus and perspective, and that, with the support of our well-established and experienced team, she will succeed in strengthening our position in this area.’
The hire of the new team brings A&O’s lawyer headcount in Paris to over 150, including 38 partners.
jaishree.kalia@legalease.co.uk