Latham & Watkins has hired intellectual property and life sciences partner Lydia Torne to its office in London.
Torne, who is a Legal 500 next generation partner for life sciences and healthcare, joins from Simmons & Simmons where she has been a partner since 2021, having joined the firm in 2008.
‘We’ve followed her career for some time and have been consistently impressed by her exceptional skills in global licensing,’ said Robbie McLaren, global vice chair of Latham’s healthcare and life sciences industry group. ‘Transactional activity in life sciences remains robust, with an increasingly complex mix of licensing and M&A. Lydia’s deep experience and outstanding track record further strengthen our global practice, following the recent arrival of Kate Hillier in the Bay Area.’
Torne’s expertise extends to regulatory compliance matters, clinical trials and supply chain requirements.
Dan Ornstein has joined Ashurst’s employment practice in London, after also leaving Simmons & Simmons after five years. Ornstein advises on labour disputes and employment-related litigation in courts and tribunals, with a particular focus on the financial services sector.
Prior to joining Simmons & Simmons he spent 11 years as a partner at Proskauer, where he was co-head of the international labor & employment group.
Mishcon de Reya has hired corporate partner Phil Robinson who specialises in venture capital and technology within the innovation economy. Robinson, who joins Mischon from Withers, has a practice that focuses on supporting high-growth businesses through financing rounds, restructurings, US flips and exit strategies.
He is developing a founded-focused practice designed to provide tailored support to the founders themselves and not just their companies.
Watson Farley & Williams has hired Kumar Tewari to head the firm’s real estate finance practice in London. He joins from Katten Muchin Rosenman where he spent almost eight years and was head of banking for EMEA. Tewari previously spent almost 10 years working in-house in the banking industry, completing seven years at Lloyds Banking Group.
Elsewhere in London, residential conveyancing partner Simon Main has joined Cripps from Streathers (West End), bringing with him experience in high-value freehold and leasehold acquisitions and dispositions, as well as landlord and tenant matters. Main had been at Streathers for nine years, qualifying as a partner in 2021.
Gustina Singgih has joined Charles Russell Speechlys as a corporate partner in London, as the firm aims to strengthen its cross-border corporate and commercial capabilities. Singgih trained and practised as an associate at White & Case in London before moving in-house for a decade. She joins Charles Russell Speechlys after completing five years as deputy general counsel at engineering company Babcock International.
CRS has also hired Annapaola Negri-Clementi to its Milan office where she joins as a corporate partner with a focus M&A, fintech and financial markets. She joins from Pavesio e Associati with Negri Clementi where she was a named equity-partner. Negri-Clementi also has a well-developed art practice and is a recognised name in the Italian art world.
In Germany, Weil, Gotshal & Manges has added two Latham partners to its European private equity practice. Sebastian Pauls will join as co-managing partner of Weil’s German offices, replacing Gerhard Schmidt who departs after holding the post for over two decades. He will work alongside co-managing partner Britta Grauke, who also heads the firm’s German litigation practice.
Joining the firm alongside Pauls is Susanne Decker, who joins the firm’s Frankfurt office, where she will advise international PE firms on cross-border M&A transactions.
Meanwhile in Paris, Gibson Dunn has hired Dorothée Griveaux into its infrastructure practice. Griveaux joins the firm as partner from Dentons.
Finally, Broadfield (formerly BDB Pitmans) has made several hires across London and New York.
In London, David Ramm joins from Cromwell & Moring to lead the corporate team, James Duncan joins from Winckworth Sherwood as a private equity and funds partner, and Paul Cole joins from Clyde & Co as a real estate partner.
In New York, former New York State Department of Financial Services general counsel Daniel Alter joins as a partner focusing on disputes involving virtual currency and governance, while former assistant US attorney Edward Smith joins as a partner in commercial and bankruptcy disputes, and Maya Uchima joins from Dentons’ venture technology and emerging growth companies group.
