3 May 2011 | By Gavriel Hollander

Linklaters has elected Robert Elliott as its new senior partner, replacing David Cheyne after a three-way fight for the role.

Global banking head Elliott saw off a challenge from litigation chief John Turnbull and European managing partner Jean-Pierre Blumberg. He will take over from Cheyne on 1 October for a five-year term.

Voting closed earlier this afternoon, with the partnership being informed of the result shortly after. Sources at the magic circle firm told The Lawyer that the contest was closer than some had expected after Blumberg’s performance at the recent partner conference in Paris.

Elliott commented: “It is an honour to have been elected as Linklaters’ next senior partner and I look forward to building on the outstanding success of the firm under David’s leadership. Our vision is to be the leading global law firm with a reputation for building the strongest and most enduring relationships with our clients, colleagues and our communities. I look forward to leading Linklaters closer to this goal over the coming years.”

Cheyne added: “I warmly welcome Robert’s election as Linklaters’ next senior partner. As global head of banking, he has been heavily involved in the development and implementation of our strategy in recent years and is ideally placed to take the firm forward. I am grateful for all the support I have had in the firm over the years and I wish Robert and the firm every success in the future.”

Elliott, who joined the magic circle firm in 1990 from Denton Wilde Sapte, was beaten by Cheyne at the last senior partner election in 2006 when finance head Giles White also lost out.

A preliminary five-man list was announced in January, before corporate partners David Barnes and Richard Godden pulled out in March.

http://www.thelawyer.com

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Simpson Thacher raids Linklaters, Freshfields to launch Hong Kong law practice

3 May 2011 | By Caroline Butcher

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett is set to launch a Hong Kong law practice later this year with a particular emphasis on capital markets and M&A.

The new Hong Kong offering will be led by prominent lateral hires Celia Lam, who joins as a partner from Linklaters’ Hong Kong office, and Christopher Wong, who joins as a partner from Freshfields’ Hong Kong branch.

Simpson Thacher expects the new team to build on the firm’s established Chinese practice and offer broader capabilities to clients, particularly focusing on capital markets and M&A transactions.

Once the US firm has completed necessary regulatory measures for the launch of the Hong Kong law practice, Lam and Wong will work closely with Leiming Chen, head of the firm’s China practice, as well as with more than 45 other lawyers currently based in Hong Kong and Beijing.

In a statement, Chen said: “Launching a Hong Kong law practice demonstrates the firm’s strong commitment to the region, and the addition of Celia and Chris are integral to this move.

“Having worked with each of them on numerous transactions in the China market, we have come to respect their great skill and depth of experience. Their high degree of professionalism and dedication to their clients make them a great fit for Simpson Thacher.”

Celia Lam brings 18 years’ experience in representing leading Chinese corporations and sovereign entities and their advisors in corporate finance and general corporate matters. She has advised clients on a wide range of corporate transactions including securities offerings, foreign direct investments in China and outbound M&A.

Christopher Wong specialises in corporate finance with an emphasis on matters involving Chinese enterprises including M&A, private equity and securities offerings. He has been a partner at Freshfields since 2005 and has been resident in its Beijingm Hong Kong and London offices.

Simpson Thacher’s executive committee chairman Pete Ruegger said: “Celia and Chris are preeminent corporate lawyers in the Greater China market. We are delighted that they will join us as we expand our China practice to include the offering of Hong Kong law.”

Simpson Thacher has had an office in Hong Kong since 1993.

http://www.thelawyer.com

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