Gibson Dunn & Crutcher has named Christopher Harris KC as partner in charge of its new Zurich office.
Harris joined the firm as a partner in July as co-chair of the international arbitration practice group from London barristers’ chambers 3 Verulam Buildings, where he was a senior silk.
His new role adds to his existing leadership responsibilities for both litigation and arbitral enforcement.
With more than 20 years of experience in commercial and investment arbitration, Harris is widely recognised for his work on investor-state and cross-border disputes across major arbitral institutions.
Barbara Becker, chair and managing partner of Gibson Dunn, said: “Christopher brings a distinctive blend of advocacy and market insight as both a UK-qualified barrister and Swiss-admitted lawyer.”
She added: “His track record in high-stakes international arbitration and cross-border disputes makes him a natural steward for our Zurich office, which will serve as a strategic hub for clients navigating complex, multijurisdictional matters.”
The opening of the Zurich office, together with Christopher’s appointment, further expands the firm’s European platform, which includes offices in Brussels, Frankfurt, London, Munich and Paris.
The firm’s website currently lists Harris as the sole contact, with further staff expected to join him in the coming months as it builds out its future capability.
In a statement, the firm said the Zurich office aims to support clients with their cross-border legal challenges and access the firm’s capabilities in international arbitration, banking and finance, private equity, mergers and acquisitions, white-collar defence and regulatory enforcement.
Other US firms based in Zurich include Quinn Emanuel, whose practice areas are similar to Gibson Dunn’s offering in the city. Quinn Emanuel has a two-partner office, with two counsel and six associates, and is led by US/Swiss attorney Thomas Weirlin, the former general counsel of Novartis. Baker McKenzie also has a 30-partner full-service offering in Switzerland’s corporate capital.
The news comes as Harris’s former set 3VB welcomed Luke Carvalho, the former deputy senior clerk at Brick Court Chambers, as a senior practice manager. Carvalho left Brick Court after 11 years, having previously worked for a decade at leading family law set, 1 Hare Court.
Carvalho’s former Brick Court colleague Julian Hawes also announced a new position as chief executive of McNair International. Hawes had joined Cornerstone earlier this summer but left after just four months. He was previously CEO of the privately-owned International Arbitration Centre.
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