Haynes Boone has hired former Macfarlanes partner Chris Acton to establish and lead its UK derivatives platform, a move aimed at strengthening ties with the firm’s New York derivatives practice.
Acton joins after 12 years as a partner at Macfarlanes, where he advised hedge funds, credit funds, proprietary trading firms and family offices on derivatives, trading, financing and related regulatory matters. He made partner in 2014, after qualifying in 2006.
He is the firm’s seventh lateral partner hire in London this year, and the second this month, as it continues to invest in its UK platform following its office expansion in the City.
His practice spans a broad range of investment strategies and financing relationships, including prime brokerage, custody, repo, margin lending, securities lending, FX, exchange-traded and over-the-counter derivatives and central clearing. He also advises on risk transfers, special opportunities, debt and claims trading transactions.
He called the move “an exciting opportunity” that would benefit from synergies with the firm’s US practice, adding that “clients need commercially focused advice that reflects the realities of their trading relationships and the regulatory environments in which they operate”.
Acton will work closely with the New York team to build a coordinated derivatives offering across both US and UK markets.
“Adding Chris strengthens our derivatives platform and creates new opportunities to bring together our capabilities in London and New York,” said Miki Navazio, co-chair of the firm’s US derivatives group.
“His experience advising hedge funds and other market participants on complex trading relationships complements our work in derivatives, prime brokerage and fund finance.”
Nick Davis, managing partner of Haynes Boone’s London office, added: “Chris brings a highly commercial perspective and deep experience advising private capital clients across the derivatives markets.
“His arrival is an important addition to our London platform and creates an opportunity to further strengthen the connections between our UK and US teams. As we continue to grow our London capabilities, building a derivatives practice that works seamlessly across these markets is a natural next step.”
A Macfarlanes spokesperson said: “We would like to thank Chris for his important contribution to the firm over many years and wish him all the best for the future.”
Acton follows the arrival of London restructuring chair Linton Bloomberg, who joined Haynes Boone from Reed Smith last week and previously practised at Weil, Gotshal & Manges and Jones Day.
He advises financial institutions, insolvency practitioners, private equity sponsors and corporate boards on a broad range of restructuring matters, including creditor and debtor representations, out-of-court restructurings, insolvency litigation and financial services matters.
Like Acton, Bloomberg – together with London partner Michael Mulligan – will work closely with the firm’s US restructuring group.
The duo’s arrival follows the hire of international disputes chair Louise Woods, who joined from Vinson & Elkins earlier this month, alongside arbitration partner Philipp Kurek and fund finance partner Jeremy Cross, who joined from Signature Litigation and Addleshaw Goddard respectively in May. That followed the arrival of real estate partner Angus Ford from Brown Rudnick in April.
Earlier this month, the firm also opened a fourth California office in San Diego led by biotech practice co-chair Jeffrey Morton, although it has seen US partner exits to HSF Kramer and Moore & Van Allen in Washington, DC in the second half of this year.
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