Cooley is strengthening its UK office with the hire of M&A partner Michal Berkner. She arrives from Skadden, where she had been practicing for more than 20 years. 'Michal is an exceptional M&A lawyer whose high-profile client base will pair perfectly with the firm,' said Justin Stock, Cooley’s UK managing partner. 'She has proven herself a pioneer for female leadership in the legal field, and, as we continue to deepen our London-based corporate strengths, her addition is sure to augment this powerful platform. We are thrilled to welcome Michal.'

Women Network

Dual-qualified in the US and England and Wales, Ms Berkner specialises in cross-border deals, both public and private. She represents large corporations, private equity houses, investment banks and high-net-worth individuals in all manner of transactions. She founded the Skadden Women Attorneys Network in 2008, which organises regular educational and networking events with senior women executives and counsel throughout Europe.'The culture and momentum of Cooley were two of my primary draws, coupled of course with its high-end corporate client base,' Berkner said. 'The firm’s commitment to the long-term success of its London office is also most appealing, and I’m happy to be part of a team dedicated to delivering on growth opportunities around the world for our clients.' Cooley has 900+ lawyers across 13 offices in the United States, China and Europe.