Herbert Smith Freehills boosts US investigations with hire of former assistant attorney and SEC chief John O’Donnell

Herbert Smith Freehills’ (HSF’s) Manhattan office has capitalised on the US revolving door with the hire of John O’Donnell, a former assistant US attorney and branch chief in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s enforcement unit, who joins to boost the top 10 UK firm’s New York investigations division.

Partner promotions: Baker & McKenzie makes up 65, Withers 7

In the annual eye-watering reminder of just how large Baker & McKenzie really is, the top ten LB100 firm this week made up 65 new partners across 22 countries in its worldwide promotions round, including four in the City, bringing the partnership to 1,480. Withers, meanwhile, maintained last year’s tally of seven, with just one in London and six internationally.

RPC in talks with breakaway Edwards Wildman partners alongside Cooley and Foley & Lardner

RPC is in talks with a potential breakaway group of Edwards Wildman City partners – made up of corporate partners Niall McAlister, Eero Rautalahti, Stuart Blythe, and insurance and reinsurance partner David Kendall – alongside California-headquartered Cooley and top 55 Global 100 US firm Foley & Lardner.