BLP scales back Paris office just eight years after opening as local head departs

Clifford Chance boosts French corporate offering with HSF and Willkie Farr hires

Last month saw much strategic decision-making by Legal Business 100 firms located in Paris, with Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) scaling back its offering in the French capital and leaving only a liaison outpost following the departure of French head Antoine-Audoin Maggiar, just eight years after opening. Meanwhile, Magic Circle firm Clifford Chance (CC) has made efforts to boost its Paris offering, having hired longstanding Herbert Smith Freehills’ (HSF) securities partner Alex Bafi and Willkie Farr & Gallagher private equity partner Fabrice Cohen.