UK law firm Simmons & Simmons has hired Emma Williams as its next general counsel, replacing Ian Hammond who is set to retire.
Williams joins from US firm Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, where she worked in the GC’s office as director of risk and compliance. She brings more than 15 years of experience in professional ethics, risk, compliance, anti-money laundering and data privacy law, having previously been a litigator.
She joins the firm as a partner alongside Andy Peat, who is moving over from DLA Piper as chief client officer.
Emily Monastiriotis, global managing partner at Simmons & Simmons, said: “Emma and Andy are excellent additions to our leadership team, and I’m very pleased to have secured two such high calibre individuals to these critically important roles.
“Their appointments come at a time of great opportunity in the legal profession and as we have launched our new, five-year business plan, centred on becoming a leading AI-enabled law firm and delivering exceptional value and strategic advice for clients.”
Prior to her time at Simpson Thacher, she was also head of risk and compliance and money laundering reporting officer at Morgan Lewis & Bockius.
She said: “With increasing regulatory complexity and evolving client expectations, the role of law firm general counsel has never been more important. I look forward to working with colleagues across the firm and building on the strong foundations laid by Ian.”
Hammond is retiring from the firm after almost 40 years, having become GC in 2023. He originally joined as a trainee in 1986 before being promoted to partner in 1998, where he worked in the firm’s dispute resolution practice.
Monastiriotis thanked Hammond for his “outstanding contribution” to the firm.
Back in February, Eversheds Sutherland (International) hired Andrew Cheung as GC from Pinsent Masons, replacing Simon Crossley who was due to retire from the partnership in April. Cheung was also previously GC at Dentons.
And in October last year, employment law specialist Littler hired Maralee (Marti) Downey as its first chief legal officer and GC, joining from retirement home operator Brookdale Senior Living where she was legal VP for labour and employment.
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