Norton Rose, which combined with Chadbourne & Parke in 2017, has lost high-profile white collar defense lawyer Abbe D. Lowell to Winston & Strawn  and, a 15-strong Life Sciences Health Industry team to Reed Smith. Mr Lowell joined Winston & Strawn’s Washington and New York offices yesterday, the firm announced. He is joining the nearly 1000-lawyer firm’s white collar, regulatory defense, and investigations practice, having served as co-head of the U.S. regulations, investigations, securities and compliance practice at Norton Rose Fulbright. Mr Lowell told Bloomberg Law he joined Winston & Strawn because he was ‘beginning to experience more and more conflicts and challenges’ in the 4000-person firm. Mr Lowell is known for representing high-profile individuals, including President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner in the investigation of alleged Russian collusion during the Trump campaign.

Mass defection

On the same day, a team of 15 lawyers defected to Reed Smith, joining the Life Sciences Health Industry Group. The team includes seven partners, going to different locations. Rick Robinson, former global Head of life sciences and healthcare at NRF, and Lesley Reynolds (Washington, DC), Jeff Layne and Ben Koplin (Austin) and Cori Goldberg (New York). Former NRF associates Selina Coleman (Washington DC) and Sara Brinkmann (Houston) will also join the firm as partners. In addition, the group includes one counsel, six associates, and one manager. ‘We are combining two of the leading health care and life sciences practices in the world, said global managing partner Sandy Thomas. ‘At Reed Smith, the Life Sciences Health Industry Group is among the firm’s five core industry sectors, and this group adds an incredible depth of experience to an already power-packed team.’ Mr Robinson will serve as the firm’s new head of international life sciences development.