Berwin Leighton Paisner’s (BLP’s) depleted finance department has seen a further partner exit after acquisition finance partner Marcus Jamson this month joined top LB100 UK firm Wedlake Bell.
The Slaughter and May-trained lawyer specialises in domestic and international corporate lending and has over 20 years of experience acting for clearing banks, financial institutions, investment banks and private equity sponsors on financings and debt restructurings.
His departure is the latest in a series of partner exits including finance and restructuring partner Trevor Wood, who left for Mayer Brown in October, and head of banking and finance Matthew Kellett, whose exit also in October prompted the 786-lawyer firm to launch an independent review of its finance practice.
The review, which it is understood is being conducted by management consultants Jomati, is being overseen internally by managing partner Neville Eisenberg and executive chairman Robert MacGregor.
Meanwhile, 108-lawyer Wedlake Bell has been bolstering its London office for some time, including the December hire of Pinsent Masons commercial property partner Suzanne Gill.
Gill’s hire followed the March arrival of Dundas & Wilson corporate partner Julian Mathews and Farrer & Co corporate and capital markets partner Jai Bell.
The firm enjoyed a 21% increase in revenues in the last financial year to £26.9m after the firm’s merger with fellow London firm Cumberland Ellis in February 2012. That merger saw the combined practice post a 131% rise in profit per equity partner at the end of the last financial year to £319,000, up from £138,000 at the end of 2011/12.
Wedlake Bell’s managing partner Martin Arnold said: ‘Marcus is an excellent addition to our already strong finance and banking team. His breadth of experience across the sector will be invaluable in a challenging and highly competitive area, one that we expect to grow.’
david.stevenson@legalease.co.uk
