London-based commercial and corporate law specialist Lewis Silkin has bagged Judith Damerell as a partner for its real estate and development team. Ms Damerell joins from London rivals Eversheds, where she was a partner and head of planning for the London and Cambridge offices.
Elsewhere in the City, heavyweight private client lawyer James Trafford has joined Speechly Bircham as a partner. Mr Trafford joins from Wilsons in Salisbury, where he led the private client team.
Meanwhile, Anglo-US firm DLA Piper has boosted its wealth management and private client services in Asia with the appointment of Todd Martin Beutler as a partner in its Hong Kong office. Mr Beutler has more than 15 years’ experience in dealing with firms across Hong Kong, Singapore and the US, as well as connections with high-net worth global companies.
London-headquartered maritime law specialist Ince & Co has announced the return of Markus Eichhorst to its Hamburg office as partner. Mr Eichhorst first joined the firm in 2001 – becoming a partner in 2008 – but left to join the judiciary.
The appointment adds to the growing number of partners at the firm’s Hamburg office, which over the last two years has nearly doubled to nine.
London-based global practice Norton Rose has appointed Neil O’May to provide criminal law and regulatory expertise as a partner in its litigation and dispute resolution practice in the UK capital. Mr O’May – formerly a partner at London human rights specialist firm Bindmans – is a leading corporate and white collar crime lawyer, advising some of the world's most prominent organisations on high profile investigations.
In China, Bristows has recruited Michelle Chen to spearhead its local practice; she joins the London-based firm as a corporate and commercial transactions lawyer.