Mr Meyntjens is defecting to Simmons & Simmons alongside counsel Kelly Cherrette, with both lawyers set to join the corporate practice at their new firm. Ashurst launched in Brussels in 1964 and currently has a team of 15 lawyers stationed there including eight partners. Mr Meyntjens has headed the Brussels outpost since 2007 and has been a partner at the firm since 1998, while Ms Cherrette joined Ashurst in 2002 and was promoted to counsel in 2010. The double hire will significantly enhance Simmons & Simmons’ corporate offering in Brussels, which currently boasts just one partner.

Exodus continues

Mr Meyntjens is now the fourth Ashurst office head to walk out on the firm in September, following the departures of Singapore managing partner Shaun Lascelles, Hong Kong managing partner Lina Lee and Abu Dhabi managing partner Alastair Holland. Ashurst has lost twelve partners to rival firms this month and 29 since the beginning of the year.

Source: Legal Week; Legal Business