New expansion in the United States with the opening of Cooley in Chicago

Acquisitions from U.S. partners dominated this week’s recruiting round as Cooley launched a new office in Chicago thanks to a strong team of nine partners.

Corporate partner Yvan-Claude Pierre, who will split his time between Chicago and New York, is Cooley’s only presence among the ten members of the launch team, with the other nine partners all coming from DLA Piper, Latham & Watkins and Winston & Strawn.

Joining from Winston & Strawn are venture capital partner Rick Ginsberg, capital markets partners Christina Roupas and Courtney Tygesson, fund creation partner Zach Robert and compensation and benefits partner Nyron Persaud.

Laurie Bauer, venture capital partner, is the only arrival from Latham & Watkins, while venture capital partner Greg Grossman, M&A partner Erin Kirchner and employment partner Ryan Vann all arrive from DLA Piper.

At the opening of the practice 17^e Global office, Joe Conroy, president and CEO of Cooley, said, “Chicago and Cooley align perfectly. As a Midwestern financial and innovation hub and home to many of our game-changing clients, including high growth and disruptive companies, venture capitalists fueling the market, and established Fortune 500 companies, we look forward to ‘open an office in a city and region where we have liked to work for decades ”.

At New York, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer gave a major boost to his life sciences practice by hiring his partner Adam Golden of Hogan Lovells. Golden, formerly Head of the Hogan Lovells Corporate Team in New York City, primarily advises pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device companies and investors on various corporate transactions.

Among Golden’s main jobs, he assisted Swiss multinational pharmaceutical company Novartis with its $ 8.7 billion takeover of biotech company AveXis. Jennifer Bethlehem, Global Head of Freshfields Healthcare Team, said: “ Her work is at the heart of what life science companies do every day to advance their business strategies, which makes it a valuable resource for our clients and an important member of our team. “.

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan Double Hired in Washington DC as Bankruptcy and Restructuring Litigation Partners Erika Morabito and Brittany Nelson have joined Foley & Lardner. Together, Morabito and Nelson bring 40 years of experience representing a range of clients in some of the country’s most high-profile bankruptcy cases, including cases involving Toys R Us, Sears and Samuel Jewelers.

Company founder John Quinn welcomed their arrivals: “Our bankruptcy firm has an impressive roster of talent. The addition of Erika and Brittany makes the group even stronger. Their diverse backgrounds and excellent reputation will help us continue to be successful nationally.

UK, Keystone Law continued to attract partners from a multitude of companies, announcing an exceptional round of ten partner hires. The group includes: Louise Bennett, Dispute Resolution Partner of Howard Kennedy, Business Partner Siobhan Moore of Locke Lord, Construction and Project Partner Louise Elmes of Trowers & Hamlins, Banking and Financial Partner Alper Deniz and Corporate Partner David Egan of Greenwoods GRM, Tax Partner Andrew Terry of Edwin Coe, Partner Keely Rushmore of SA Law, Probate and Estate Planning Partner Tracey Poole of Portrait Solicitors and finally Business Real Estate Partners Peter Clegg and Adam Perry of Square One Law and Adam Perry & Co respectively.

Managing Director James Knight said: “ Having experienced many positive aspects of working remotely, many lawyers are now looking for true flexibility, which is only found at Keystone. As such, we plan to welcome more carpenters of a similar caliber in the near future.

In London, EY landed an important engagement in the form of Monica Gogna, ex-partner of Dechert in the field of financial regulation. In her new role, Gogna will assume responsibility for EY Law’s UK financial regulation division. She said: “ I look forward to working with EY Law’s managed legal services team and its globally recognized regulatory consulting firm to help and offer clients something different at this unique pivot point, as the financial services industry looks to the future, beyond the pandemic and Brexit, with an increasing focus on issues such as sustainability and technology ”.

McDermott Will and Emery responded to “a strong demand for sophisticated, international advice on dispute resolution” by naming her partner Michael Darowski of Gowling WLG. Darowski is a seasoned lawyer in international arbitration and has advised clients in industries spanning energy, food and beverage, financial services and telecommunications.

In a major move for the energy sector, Burness Paul has hired his partner Bob Ruddiman, former head of the Pinsent Masons oil and gas group. In his new role, Ruddiman will oversee the growth of renewable energy and the oil and gas practices of Burness Paull. The firm hopes that this decision will allow it to be perfectly placed to support its clients within the framework of the rapidly evolving environmental, social and governance (ESG) agenda.

Peter Lawson, chairman of Burness Paull, said: “ Bringing a lawyer of Bob’s stature into the cabinet is a real coup. He will build on our considerable strength in the energy sector and his reputation as an industry leader is recognized and justified given his knowledge and network.

Tom.baker@legalbusiness.co.uk