International law firm Bird & Bird grows its Tech & Comms group with the arrival of tech and data expert Nick O’Connell. Nick will support the firm’s technology clients on their business needs across the Middle East.

Described in Chambers & Partners as “the best Saudi-based lawyer for IT matters”, Nick has unrivalled experience in building and managing a successful regional technology, media and telecommunications practice.

CMS is pleased to announce that Austin Judson is joining its real estate practice as a partner. Initially based in the firm’s Manchester office, Austin will relocate to Riyadh in early 2025 to strengthen CMS's real estate capabilities in the Middle East. Alongside his focus on Saudi Arabia, Austin will work closely with CMS’s established real estate team in the UAE, led by partner Geoff Smith.

CMS is delighted to announce the appointment of Stuart Tait as a partner, launching its Restructuring & Insolvency (R&I) offering in the North of England.

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP announced that Gillian Emmett Moldowan has joined the Firm’s New York office as a Partner in the Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits Practice.

“We are delighted to welcome Gillian to Simpson Thacher,” said Alden Millard, Chair of Simpson Thacher’s Executive Committee. “Gillian’s diverse experience in this area will be the perfect complement to the Firm’s stellar Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits Practice, and clients across our platform will benefit from her addition to the team.”

Womble Bond Dickinson announced that David L. Attanasio has joined the firm’s Business Litigation Practice as a partner in Washington, DC. Attanasio focuses on international arbitration and cross-border litigation, with extensive experience representing clients in the energy and natural resources sector and disputes relating to Latin America. His international arbitration advocacy has been recognized in leading legal directories, including Chambers USA, Who’s Who Legal, and Legal 500 US.

Leading international law firm Hill Dickinson has announced the appointment of Padma Tadi-Booth, who joins the firm as a commercial employment partner in its Leeds office.  

Tadi-Booth brings over 15 years of experience to the firm and has advised on a wide range of employment issues. Her areas of expertise include employment contracts, consultancy and service agreements, equal pay issues, status disputes, redundancies, settlement agreements and disclosure obligations associated with corporate transactions.

O’Melveny announced that two experienced pan-Asia transactional lawyers—Stephanie Keen and Sylvia Taslim—have joined the firm’s Singapore office as partners in the Mergers & Acquisitions Practice, further bolstering O’Melveny’s cross-border capabilities while also expanding its capacity across Asia.

Together, Keen and Taslim are internationally recognized for their strategic M&A and private equity expertise. Their work spans a vast array of industries that align with O’Melveny’s strengths, including the technology, consumer, and energy sectors.

Leading global law firm Baker McKenzie announced that Keo (Shaw) McKenzie has rejoined the Firm’s North America Intellectual Property & Technology Practice Group as a Partner in Washington, DC. Keo, who previously was an associate at the Firm and in-house digital health counsel, further strengthens Baker McKenzie’s AI, Technology, Healthcare & Life Sciences, and FDA capabilities.

CMS is pleased to announce that Philippe Hendrickx will join the Firm as a Partner. Philippe specialises in corporate law, in particular mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructuring, and private equity transactions.

Philippe has advised on all aspect of corporate law and has significant experience in handling both domestic and cross-border M&A and private equity transactions, across a wide variety of sectors.

This strategic addition to the team strengthens CMS' existing corporate and M&A practice and supports the Firm's global strategy.

International law firm Bird & Bird appoints disputes expert Bill Smith and restructuring specialist Masi Zaki as partners in Sydney.

The arrival of Bill and Masi is a key part of Bird & Bird’s strategic growth strategy in Sydney as the office celebrates its 10-year anniversary. Over the past two years the Bird & Bird team in Sydney has expanded significantly, with two partner promotions in the IP practice, and the appointment of three new partners in Corporate M&A, Finance & Financial Regulation and Sports respectively.