SJ movers and shakers

Child & Child hire SJ's editor at large as new employment partner

London firm Child & Child continues its growth and full-service expansion with the appointment of new employment partner, Kevin Poulter.

Poulter's arrival at the firm's Belgravia office further strengthens the firm's commercial and business services offering. In recent years, Poulter has specialised in social media issues, particularly those arising out of the employment relationship.

Of his appointment, Poulter said: 'This is a great opportunity to work in a prestigious firm of enviable pedigree. I look forward to working with established clients from across the firm and developing new and exciting opportunities.'

Child & Child managing partner Khalid Sharif said: 'We are very pleased to welcome Kevin to the firm. His appointment fits perfectly with the firm's character and growth strategy. Child & Child is better placed than ever to meet the legal needs of clients both old and new.'

Poulter joins from Westminster firm Bircham Dyson Bell, where, alongside his employment work, he developed and led its social media team. For the past two years he has been the editor at large of Solicitors Journal and is a frequent speaker on employment and social media matters, including for the BBC, TRT World, and numerous mainstream and specialist media channels.

Sir Nicholas Forwood QC joins White & Case in Brussels

White & Case has appointed former judge of the General Court of the EU Sir Nicholas Forwood QC as counsel to its team in Brussels. Working on a part-time basis, Sir Nicholas has been tasked with reinforcing the US firm's strength in competition litigation in Luxembourg and London, and supporting its clients on a broad range of EU law questions.

The firm said Sir Nicholas brings a wealth of experience to the role, covering all fields of EU law including cartels, abuse of dominant position, state aids, EU sanctions, and restrictive measures. Appointed Queen's Counsel in 1987, he was made Knight Bachelor in December 2015 for services to European justice.

'Sir Nicholas has long been regarded as one of Europe's most influential competition lawyers,' said White & Case partner and global head of antitrust Mark Gidley. 'His knowledge and extensive experience will be a valuable asset and enhance the advice we provide to our international clients on EU and competition law matters.'

Withers maintains Asia-Pacific growth with hire of commercial team

Withers has continued to expand its presence across the Asia-Pacific region with the strategic hire of the team from the leading Sydney and Singapore-based hotel and hospitality specialist firm Ryan Lawyers.

The team of four corporate and commercial lawyers is led by Robert Williams, who will head Withers's Asia-Pacific Hotels practice. Williams previously ran the Australian business of Ryan Lawyers, and has worked at Baker & McKenzie and Taylor Wessing.

Williams is joined by Justin Gross, a partner with 20 years' experience in M&A, funds, and structuring. Chris Greiner, a consultant to the team, has over 30 years of experience in hospitality sector transactions and 20 years at Ashursts, including as a senior partner. Vivian Chen, an associate, is an experienced junior lawyer and has been supporting the team for a number of years.

Payne Hicks Beach bolsters company and commercial department

Payne Hicks Beach has announced that Max Baird-Smith has joined the firm as a partner in the company and commercial department. He joins from BDGS Associés in Paris and his appointment is effective from 1 March 2016. Baird-Smith specialises in advising a range of corporate clients on complex acquisitions and disposals, private equity transactions, joint ventures, and general commercial matters.

Lewis Silkin's media, brands, and technology practice continues expansion

City firm Lewis Silkin has revealed that leading international TMT lawyer Dr Nathalie Moreno has joined the firm's media, brands, and technology team. She joins the firm as a partner from Charles Russell Speechlys.

Currently the only UK-based TMT partner who is dual qualified in both the UK and France, Moreno's career spans more than 20 years. Her areas of expertise cover a broad range of complex technology-related commercial transactions in Europe. Moreno is a graduate of Harvard Law School, and also holds a PhD in international law from Université Panthéon-Assas.

Druces launches new international wealth and fiduciary practice

Druces has launched a new international wealth and fiduciary practice with the strategic hire of two additional partners. This represents a significant development of the firm's private client offering from its existing three-partner team, and ensures that Druces has a significant presence in the London private wealth market and proven international experience.

Robert Macro and Neil Morris join the firm from Penningtons Manches's private client team, where they were both partners. Druces said the pair will lead the firm's international wealth and fiduciary practice in acting for an ever-increasing roster of clients dealing with complex tax, fiduciary, and estates issues, both domestic and international.

Baker & McKenzie hires leading Africa-focused private equity partner

Baker & McKenzie has further enhanced its global private equity practice with the appointment of Scott Nelson from ENSafrica, where he was head of its Africa practice group.

Scott, a private equity and corporate funds partner, joined the firm on 1 March 2016. He is an English-qualified lawyer, also admitted in Scotland, with almost two decades of experience in the private equity industry.

Specialising in cross-border and corporate transactions, Scott represents many of the international Africa-focused private equity funds and sponsors. He will be responsible for driving forward the firm's pan-African private equity offering, playing a key role advising specialist Africa-focused funds.

Orrick continues growth of London energy team

Orrick has unveiled a new addition to its energy team. Peter Roberts will serve as head of the firm's global oil and gas practice and will be based in its London office. Roberts's addition follows the firm's opening, last month, of a 20-partner Houston office to serve the energy sector.

Formerly head of the oil and gas practice at Andrews Kurth, Roberts is the seventh energy team member to join Orrick's London office in the past year. Last summer, Matthew Williams joined Orrick, leading a five-member energy and infrastructure team from Hogan Lovells. Williams served as global co-head of Hogan Lovells's energy team and is co-head of Orrick's European energy practice.

In January, Orrick announced the opening of its Houston office, significantly bolstering the firm's now 140-lawyer global energy and infrastructure team and adding oil and gas practitioners.

Earlier this month, Orrick announced the addition of two London partners from Jones Day: Weyinmi Popo brings extensive private equity experience in Anglophone Africa; and Dominic O'Brien adds deep capability in projects in the UK, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.

Insolvency specialist appointed partner at Aaron & Partners

Regional firm Aaron & Partners has strengthened its dispute resolution and insolvency team with the appointment of insolvency expert Mark Davies as a partner in its Chester office. Davies, who has spent most of the last 20 years working for Manchester-based firms, has over 26 years' experience of servicing a national client base and is an acknowledged expert in personal insolvency.

Bryan Cave names Dr Tobias Fenck new Frankfurt managing partner

International firm Bryan Cave announced that Tobias Fenck will serve as managing partner of the Frankfurt office. The M&A and private equity specialist will be the second managing partner in Germany, working closely with Hamburg office managing partner Eckart Budelmann. Bryan Cave established its Hamburg office in 2007, and expanded its European presence with a Frankfurt location in 2012.

Anthony Gold appoints new partner to family and dispute resolution team

David Emmerson has joined the Anthony Gold family department as a new partner in the London Bridge office. Formerly the head of family dispute resolution and the family finance team at TV Edwards for the past five years, Emmerson joined the team on 29 February.

David Marshall, the firm's managing partner, said: 'This is the second new partner to join the firm this month as part of our strategy to strengthen our private client offering. It is fantastic that David Emmerson will be adding his considerable experience to our well-regarded family team.'

Carrie Duncan, who was appointed as head of private client, wills, and probate earlier this month was the first partner hire to strengthen the Anthony Gold private client offering this year.