Jenner launches London public law practice with senior Baker McKenzie hire

Joanna Ludlam joins having co-led Bakers’ global investigations practice

Joanna Ludlam Credit: Jenner & Block

Jenner & Block has hired a longstanding Baker McKenzie partner to launch a public law and crisis management practice in London. 

Joanna Ludlam is set to join the firm after more than 15 years as a partner at Bakers, where since 2017 she has co-led the global investigations, compliance and ethics practice. 

At Jenner, Ludlam will also act as co-chair of the investigations department. She advises clients, including the C-suite, on corporate criminal liability, regulatory compliance and crisis and reputation management. She also prepares senior executives for appearances at public inquiries and Parliamentary Select Committee hearings.

Ludlam’s work has included challenges to government policies such as the UK-Rwanda Asylum Partnership and former Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s prorogation of Parliament ahead of the UK’s exit from the European Union. She has also advised clients in major UK public inquiries including the Post Office Horizon Inquiry, the Leveson Inquiry into the practices of the British press and the Covid-19 Inquiry. 

“Joanna is well-known and highly regarded across the London market and more globally. Her track record in investigations and crisis management, along with her experience in regulatory and public law, adds strength to our growing London office,” said Jenner & Block’s London office managing partner Christine Braamskamp. 

Braamskamp added that Ludlam’s work was also “complementary to our firm’s experience in congressional and sensitive investigations”.

Ludlam will join the firm on 27 January as its 11th partner in London, according to the firm’s website. Jenner said Ludlam would work closely with its government controversies, congressional investigations and global hearing preparation practices “to advise clients facing complex crises in multiple forums around the globe”.

Her hire follows the firm recruiting commercial litigation partner Ed Davis in London last July from Stephenson Harwood. 

A spokesperson for Bakers commented: “We can confirm that Joanna has left the firm. We shall miss her and wish her all the best in her next venture.”

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