Legal Business

King & Wood loses five-lawyer energy team to Squire Patton Boggs

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Strategic recruitment King & Wood MallesonsSquire Patton Boggs
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King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) has lost a five-lawyer team including global energy and infrastructure co-head Neil Upton to Squire Patton Boggs in the latest exits from its London office.

Upton joins the transatlantic firm with a team of four associates and two other staff. His practice focuses on advising utilities, banks and financial institutions on energy projects. Upton had worked on deals including financing several UK gas-fired power stations as well as power plant projects in Africa, Europe, China and the Middle East.

Squire has recently hired into its UK practice. In March, the firm added Andrew Herring into its real estate practice from DWF to its London office and last year hired James Duckworth as a construction partner in Sheffield from Nabarro. The firm also notably added to its energy disputes practice with the hire of Ben Holland from CMS Cameron McKenna in 2014.

Squire London managing partner Robert Weekes (pictured) said: ‘Neil fits so well with our teams here and globally. His appointment is a continuation of our strategic hiring in London, joining up practices and industry groups more closely and creating stronger links between international offices.’

The firm is currently approaching a leadership election after long-term EUME managing partner Peter Crossley confirmed he was stepping down from his leadership role after 12 years while remaining at the firm.

KWM has seen a number of partner exits in the last 12 months, most recently seeing four big billing City partners confirm their departures.

Last week, private equity partner Michael Halford, former managing partner Rob Day, corporate finance partner Andrew Wingfield and Jonathan Pittal all resigned from the firm.

The Asian legal giant has looked to shore up its European business after the string of high-profile exits. However, the legacy SJ Berwin practice was forced to halt a planned recapitalisation in the wake of the resignations.

The firm recently also replaced its senior leadership for EUME, electing Frankfurt-based Michael Cziesla as senior partner and Tim Bednall as managing partner.

matthew.field@legalease.co.uk

Read more on Squire Patton Boggs in: ‘We have enough of a say’: Squire’s Peter Crossley on retirement, leadership and the US‘

Legal Business

Contenders step forward as race for Squires European head begins

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Longstanding leader Crossley set to retire at year end

Frontrunners have emerged in the contest to become the new Europe and Middle East managing partner at Squire Patton Boggs, after longstanding leader Peter Crossley confirmed his retirement in September.

Two senior partners have been touted internally and externally as favourites for the role: London managing partner Robert Weekes and EMEA global corporate chair Jane Haxby.

Legal Business

Revolving doors: Dechert, Mishcon and Squires strengthen the ranks

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Strategic recruitment DechertMishcon de ReyaSquire Patton Boggs
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Following the post-summer hiring spree, the latter half of September only brought single lateral hires in criminal, corporate, tax and intellectual property (IP).

Mishcon de Reya’s business crime group announced this week the appointment of the Grillo sisters’ defence lawyer Richard Cannon. With effect from 5 October, Cannon will be the seventh lawyer in the two-partner business crime group established in 2014.

Cannon joins Mishcon de Reya from boutique criminal law firm Janes Solicitors, where he was a partner for 16 years focusing on defence of serious and complex fraud.

Commenting on his appointment, group head Alison Levitt QC said that ‘Richard brings to the firm a wealth of experience and expertise in criminal defence litigation at the top level’.

On the corporate side, Squire Patton Boggs also continues the European expansion of its global practice by confirming Kashif Siddiqui as its new partner in the London office. Joining from Trowers & Hamlins, Siddiqui focuses on cross-border M&A, disposals, joint ventures and reorganisations. Commenting on Siddiqui’s appointment, EMEA chair of the global corporate practice Jane Haxby said the hire is in line with the firm’s international focus and expansion of their UK practice. Siddiqui’s appointment follows last month’s hire of Bart Vanderstraete as partner in the Brussels office. Earlier this month Squires announced it would hold elections by the end of the year as its long-standing leader, Europe and Middle East managing partner leader Peter Crossley, steps down.

Meanwhile, Dechert added Sabina Comis to its benches as tax partner in the firm’s Paris office. Joining from Mayer Brown, part of Comis’ role will be focusing on advising French and international companies on tax structuring and dispute resolution. Dechert international and domestic tax group chair Daniel Dunn said Comis has an ‘impressive track record’ whilst head of tax in France. Last month the firm announced a ramp-up of its London office with the hire of long-serving DLA Piper financial services global co-chair Philip Butler.

georgiana.tudor@legalease.co.uk

Legal Business

Squires to hold leadership election as European managing partner Crossley prepares to step down

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A leadership battle at Squire Patton Boggs will take place as long-standing leader Peter Crossley has confirmed he will step down as Europe and Middle East managing partner at the end of this year.

Crossley (pictured) will retire from his leadership role when his term ends but remain at the firm, with an election for the managing partner role to take place in the coming weeks.

First elected as Hammonds managing partner in 2004, Crossley is noted for having guided the legacy firm through its merger with US practice Squire, Sanders & Dempsey in 2011 and helped steer the firm through its merger with Washington DC lobbying shop Patton Boggs in 2014 creating a 1,500 lawyer firm.

A Squires spokesperson said: ‘Earlier this year, Peter Crossley informed the firm’s partnership that he has decided to step down at the end of the year as the firm’s managing partner for EMEA after 12 years in the role. His replacement will be chosen over the course of the next couple of months.’

Under Crossley’s watch, Squires has moved into the top 40 of the Global 100 with a turnover of $929.1m and a presence across the US, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

One Squires partner told Legal Business: ‘Peter is very highly appreciated here. He has always been seen as a warm and friendly leader.’

It is understood two senior partners have been touted as potential favourites for the top job: London managing partner Robert Weekes and EMEA global corporate chair Jane Haxby. Hustings have not yet taken place and the firm would not comment on the election process.

Manchester-based Haxby has spent 23 years at the firm and chairs the global corporate group and was previously the Manchester managing partner between 2010 and 2013.

London managing partner Weekes is a fraud lawyer specialising in banks and financial institutions. He has led the London office since 2008 and joined legacy Hammonds in 2001.

Crossley’s role includes the firm’s UK offices, its presence in ten European markets and four offices in the Middle East.

matthew.field@legalease.co.uk

For the full interview with Crossley from earlier this year, see ”We have enough of a say’: Squire’s Peter Crossley on retirement, leadership and the US’

Read Peter Crossley’s Life During Law here.

Legal Business

‘We have enough of a say’: Squire’s Peter Crossley on retirement, leadership and the US

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Victoria Young talks to the long-serving Europe and Middle East managing partner

When Legal Business last profiled Squire Patton Boggs’ UK legacy firm Hammonds in 2005, the cover line was ‘Bad habits’ – profits had slumped, lock-ins had been introduced and outgoing partners were considering legal action. New managing partner Peter Crossley pledged to get his house in order.

Legal Business

Revolving Doors: Squire and Watson Farley make Paris hires in big week for international appointments

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Paris has been a hot spot for lateral hires this week, as firms including Squire Patton Boggs, Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) and Mayer Brown make international appointments across the board.

Squire has hired Veronique Collin to join the firm’s financial services practice in Paris. Previously at DLA Piper working in its offices in London, Paris and Tokyo, Collin has over 25 years’ experience advising on real estate finance, structured finance, bond issues, acquisition finance and refinancing, asset finance, transaction rating work and general banking law.

Head of Squire’s global financial services practice group James Barresi said: ‘Veronique’s in-depth knowledge of French banking law and her international background will undoubtedly enrich our financial services practice, which has an increasingly multijurisdictional client base.’

WFW has also made a lateral hire to its Paris office with Arnaud Troizier joining its Paris energy and infrastructure team. With his experience in public business law, Troizier regularly advises industrial groups, banks, investors and public bodies on the development of projects which involve matters regarding transport, energy and building infrastructure, and communication networks.

The head of the firm’s Paris public business law practice Laurent Battoue said: ‘Not only does the firm have a worldwide reputation for excellence in its sector of focus, but our practices also naturally complement each other. It is an incredibly dynamic environment and the variety of ongoing projects opens up some very exciting opportunities in France and Africa in particular.’

As it continues to grow its New York office, Mayer Brown has appointed Douglas Donahue to its global banking and finance practice and derivatives and structured products group. Previously at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, Donahue has a focus on transactional and advisory matters related to derivatives.

Co-leader of the firm’s global banking and finance practice Jon Van Gorp said Donahue is well-known in the industry for his extensive experience. He added: ‘His arrival will enhance our ability to advise on the ongoing transformation of the derivatives and financial products industry as part of our full-service banking & finance offerings to clients around the world.’

Osborne Clarke has boosted its IP practice with the lateral hire of Matthias Kloth to its Hamburg office. Joining from White & Case, Kloth has a focus on advising national and international companies on intellectual property law. ‘We now fully cover the whole range of intellectual property on a high level.’ Head of IP Marcus Sacré said: ‘With Matthias Kloth we have found an experienced trademark and competition lawyer with many years of process experience – continuing the expansion of our IP practice. We want to be strongly represented, especially in Hamburg.’

As it continues to expand its presence in Australia after launching its offices in Melbourne and Sydney in 2015, Pinsent Masons has appointed infrastructure specialists Anthony Arrow and Margaret Cole as partners. Cole joins the firm from White & Case where she led the Middle East business. Arrow joins from Allens and has experience advising on major renewable energy, road and rail projects acting for sponsors, contractors and operations and maintenance providers.

Pinsent Masons Australia head David Rennick said: ‘The addition of Anthony and Margaret to the team is an important step in the continued development of our Australian business.’

Fintech company MarketInvoice has hired former Fieldfisher partner Simon Coles as its general counsel. Coles made partner in 2012 and had trained at Allen & Overy. Co-founder and CEO of MarketInvoice Anil Stocker expects Coles to bring important legal experience to the business which he says is vital at this stage of scaling the business. ‘We’re constantly looking to find new ways to get cash flow finance to businesses in the fastest, safest, most efficient way possible. This goal presents new challenges every day and Simon will play a vital role in driving us forward’

madeleine.farman@legalease.co.uk

Legal Business

Revolving doors: A high profile return to chambers as Squire, Eversheds and A&O make key hires

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Strategic recruitment Allen & OveryEversheds SutherlandSquire Patton Boggs
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The legal market has seen a high-profile return to chambers and a series of both national and international lateral appointments this week at firms such as Squire Patton Boggs, Allen & Overy (A&O) and Eversheds.

In a move back to her old stomping ground, Shami Chakrabarti is to re-join 39 Essex Chambers as a door tenant. Formerly director of civil liberties advocacy group Liberty where she spent 13 years in the role, Chakrabarti began her career with a pupillage at 39 Essex Chambers in 1994.

Speaking on her return to 39 Essex, Chakrabati described it as a ‘pleasure and privilege’ to be back at the chambers where she learned her law and began her career. ‘Lawyers face unfair attacks but a chambers that produces advocates on both sides of vital disputes and so many senior judges well represents the Rule of Law.’ Chakrabati has been replaced at Liberty by Doughty Street Chambers barrister and human rights campaigner Martha Spurrier.

Meanwhile Squire Paton Boggs has appointed Andrew Herring to its real estate practice in its London office. Joining from DWF, Herring brings his experience advising on international and cross-border projects throughout the US, Europe, and the Middle East to the firm. Head of the firm’s global infrastructure group Philippa Chadwick predicts Herring will play a key role in supporting its global clients after seeing significant growth in its rail work in markets around the world. Chadwick said: ‘Andrew Herring is a go-to international rail and transportation lawyer. He has advised on some of the most complex global and UK projects, and he brings a wealth of experience to our burgeoning infrastructure practice.’

In Manchester, Eversheds has expanded its commercial contracts team with the hire of Nick Stubbs, who joins from Ward Hadaway and has in-house experience as Aviva’s legal counsel. Eversheds head of contracts in Manchester Tom Bridgford said of the appointment, ‘we are delighted to welcome Nick Stubbs who is joining our award winning Manchester commercial contracts team as a partner to support our continued growth. Nick has a wide range of expertise in high value commercial contracts, IT and outsourcing agreements.’

After spending two years at Simmons & Simmons, corporate partner Tom Butcher has returned to A&O to head the firm’s Middle East technology, media and telecommunications and intellectual property practice groups. With Butcher’s expertise in strategic outsourcing, technology procurement, data protection and transactional IP, the firm’s Middle East head of corporate Andrew Schoorlemmer said: ‘This is a significant appointment at a time when Middle East governments are investing in technology to develop sustainable knowledge-based, innovation-led economies to diversify from the traditional hydrocarbon industries. Local and international corporates are also engaging more and more in high value transactions and projects to bring technology to the Middle East and African markets.’

Hogan Lovells has strengthened its corporate practice offering with appointments to its New York and Tokyo offices with two international lateral hires. Paul Downs joins as partner in the firm’s New York office from Jones Day, where he was partner in the firm’s New York M&A group and co-head of its sovereign investor practice. With focuses on domestic and cross-border investments, M&A, and joint ventures, global head of Hogan Lovells’ corporate practice group David Gibbons said Downs brings a particular knowledge to the firm, which will help expand its offering. ‘Paul is a talented lawyer, whose transactional and cross-border experience is a natural fit with our M&A and private equity teams. His skill set and successful track record for clients will continue to strengthen our offerings both nationally and on a global scale.’

The firm has also hired partner Lisa Yano to its Tokyo office, increasing its capabilities in Asia and its cross-border M&A offering into and out of Japan. She brings experience advising both Japanese and offshore clients across electronics, telecommunications, media, life sciences and automotive sectors to Hogan Lovells. Regional managing partner for Asia and the Middle East Patrick Sherrington said: ‘Lisa has a profound understanding of the Japanese market and her contribution will be invaluable as we continue the build-out of our capabilities in the region.’

madeleine.farman@legalease.co.uk

Legal Business

Squire makes up seven in the City in global promotions round

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Squire Patton Boggs has promoted seven in the City in its latest global partnership round of 30, where it has made up the same number of partners across the globe as it did last year.

Seven City lawyers were promoted including employment lawyer Natalie Bellwood, international dispute resolution practitioners James Barratt and Alexis Martinez, and Aline Doussin, a senior associate in the firm’s international trade practice. Employment lawyer Supinder Sian, litigation specialist Gareth Timms and IP adviser Florian Traub were promoted within the partnership.

This is a boost from last year when Squire made up three partners in the City, but six partners in its other UK offices. This year the firm has also made up financial services lawyer Jeremy Ladyman who is based in the Leeds office and litigator Raymond O’ Connor who is based in Birmingham.

While the firm made up partners across 20 offices including Paris, Sydney, Santo Domingo, and Abu Dhabi, almost half of the Ohio-headquartered firm’s promotions came from the US, across offices in Columbus, Cleveland, Los Angeles, Palo Alto, New York, West Palm Beach, Tampa, Miami, Phoenix, Washington DC and San Francisco. The firm also promoted nine individuals to principal.

Squire global chief executive and chair Mark Ruehlmann said: ‘These promotions strengthen our global platform and reflect our commitment to the markets and industries in which we operate, allowing us to better serve our clients wherever they seek to do business.’

Yesterday, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer was the first City firm to reveal its promotions for 2016, announcing 16 lawyers will make partnership this year, one less than last year when 17 were promoted.

victoria.young@legalease.co.uk

The full list of promotions is as follows:

Zachery Adams, Washington, government investigations and white collar

Stephan Adell, Paris, international dispute resolution

Matthew Bailey, Columbus, corporate

James Barratt, London, international dispute resolution

Natalie Bellwood, London, labour & employment

Patrick J. Burke, Cleveland, financial services

Gabriel Colwell, Los Angeles, government investigations and white collar

Aline Doussin, London, international trade

Anna Elliott, Sydney, labour & employment

Lindsay Faine, Abu Dhabi, tax strategy & benefits

Fabio Fior, Perth, real estate

Joseph Grasser, Palo Alto, intellectual property & technology

John Hutchinson, New York, tax strategy & benefits

Jason Joffe, West Palm Beach, litigation

Stacy Krumin, Tampa, real estate

Jeremy Ladyman, Leeds, financial services

Laura Lawless Robertson, Phoenix, labour & employment

Raúl Mañón, Miami, international dispute resolution

Alexis Martinez, London, international dispute resolution

Erin McGrain, Washington DC, public policy

Shaan Palmer, Sydney, restructuring & insolvency

Supinder Sian, London, labour & employment

Douglas Smith, Dubai, corporate

Carolina Soto Hernandez, Santo Domingo, international dispute resolution

Heather Stutz, Columbus, litigation

Gareth Timms, London, litigation

Florian Traub, London, intellectual property & technology

Raymond Connor, Birmingham, litigation

Gregory Wald, San Francisco, labour & employment

Helen Yang, Los Angeles, litigation

Legal Business

Revolving doors: TLT and SPB expand in the regions while Ashurst bolsters its finance practice

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Strategic recruitment AshurstSquire Patton BoggsTLT
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The UK’s regional hubs saw a spree of hiring as TLT strengthened its corporate practice in Manchester after a law firm’s collapse and Squire Patton Boggs bulked up in Leeds. Meanwhile, Ashurst enlarged its finance practice in Europe with the addition of two new partners and Fladgate recruited an employment partner.

Squires expanded its office in Leeds with the appointment of Nabarro’s construction partner James Duckworth. Specialising in major projects such as PPP/PFI and energy deals, Duckworth focuses on renewables in particular wind, biomass, solar, carbon capture and energy-from-waste sectors, both in the UK and internationally.

He will be reunited with infrastructure partner Robin Baillie who joined Squires last year in London and is part of a wider construction push in the regions for the firm with Matthew Mulqueen joining as a partner in Leeds in June.

Meanwhile TLT benefitted from the closure of local outfit Milbank Edge in Manchester this September with the hire of corporate partner Ian Roberts; Andrew Needham, who had previously been a partner at Addleshaws and led DWF’s corporate and commercial team; and commercial partner Pauline Cowie. The trio was joined by two other lawyers and will help bulk up the firm’s north-west offering.

TLT’s head of commercial Bill Hull said: ‘We are ramping up the strength of our UK corporate and commercial offering and this team arrival from Millbank Edge in Manchester showcases that. This is a talented and experienced team; and a great fit strategically, deepening our expertise across the UK and in Manchester.’

Other partners at the firm left for Hill Dickinson and Member Land Law.

In London, Fladgate added on Howard Kennedy employment partner Taj Rehal. Advising listed companies, private businesses and individuals Rehal is listed as a leading individual in The Legal 500 for employment work.

Rehal said: ‘Given the synergies that exist with my own client base and that of Fladgate and their ambitious plans for future growth, this move presents a great platform for my existing clients and an exciting opportunity for me to further develop and grow my practice.’

Finally, Ashurst strengthened its European finance practice with the addition of partner Fernando Navarro from Cuatrecasas. Having also served as in-house counsel at Stanander Investment and Grupo Ahorro Corporación, Navarro specialises in syndicated and bi-lateral loans though also has experience of derivatives, debt restructuring, direct lending, alternative funding, purchase and sale of debt portfolios and debt trading.

Ashurst also hired Detmar Loff from Allen & Overy, bringing him in as a partner in its financial services regulatory group.

michael.west@legalease.co.uk

Legal Business

Life during law: Peter Crossley, Squire Patton Boggs

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Life During Law Squire Patton Boggs
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I started life in South Africa mainly doing crime and divorce. Knowing something about criminal law, and the cut and thrust of the courtroom, is a good base for anybody who wants to do litigation.

I wanted to go to the Bar but my father was a bank manager in South Africa with a lot of barrister customers who weren’t doing very well so he basically said: ‘You’ll never make it so become a solicitor.’ Both my parents were English, my father was at Dunkirk and was badly wounded and captured so he emigrated to South Africa for health reasons. He was always a pretty strong character and was the sort of man who you couldn’t ignore!