Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner has hired appellate lawyer Jean-Claude André from Sidley Austin as the St. Louis-based firm seeks to strengthen its commercial disputes practice group.

André joins as a partner in Los Angeles and will co-lead the firm’s appellate and Supreme Court group alongside partner Barbara Smith in St. Louis. André was also previously West Coast head of Sidley’s Supreme Court and appellate practice. 

Lee Marshall, a partner and global department leader of BCLP’s litigation and investigations practice, said: “J.C.’s background and experience will be a huge asset to our clients. Our national appellate practice is an important part of our platform and we are excited to see it grow under J.C. and Barbara’s leadership.”

That experience has involved briefing or arguing hundreds of appeals across US courts, including dozens of briefs and three arguments before the US Supreme Court. Those cases have involved matters addressing constitutional questions, statutory and regulatory interpretation, jurisdictional concerns and sovereign immunity, among others.

Smith said: “[André’s] experience will not only enhance our growing appellate practice, it will bolster our commercial disputes practice overall. His experience with complex legal issues, coupled with his professional leadership in this area, will be an excellent addition to our team and provide additional depth for our clients in important appellate matters.”

Prior to his time at Sidley, André was an assistant US attorney, as well as serving as the appellate chief at the Office of the United States Attorney for the Central District of California, the country’s largest federal district.

André said: “I look forward to joining BCLP’s commercial disputes group, and in particular to leading the appellate & Supreme Court group with Barbara. The firm’s global scope and connectivity benefit clients, and I am excited for this opportunity.”

In July, BCLP announced that it was closing its Beijing office and cutting up to 40 jobs in London as the firm responded to the economic uncertainty created by the coronavirus pandemic. However, the firm also halved the size of a planned 15% pay cut for all staff earning more than $40,000 after reporting stronger than expected results during the first half of the year.