International law firm Gowling WLG has strengthened its Data Protection and Cyber Security team with the appointment of Loretta Pugh as a partner in London.

Loretta is a specialist data protection, information governance and cyber security lawyer. Loretta covers all sectors, including tech, life sciences, financial services, energy and real estate. Her work may be domestic or international in nature.

Global law firm Hogan Lovells is pleased to announce the expansion of its Hong Kong office with the addition of two highly regarded partners and three associates, all joining the firm from Dechert this month. This strategic move further strengthens Hogan Lovells capabilities in funds, complex disputes, and cross-border investigations within the APAC region.

Irwin Mitchell has recruited partner Ian Austin to lead its Commercial Dispute Resolution team in Manchester as the law firm continues to invest in growing its business legal team. 

Ian, a leading expert in resolving contractual disputes and shareholder claims, brings over 20 years of experience advising large PLCs and FTSE 100 companies. He joins Irwin Mitchell from Fieldfisher. 

Indira K. Sharma has joined Locke Lord’s Washington, D.C., office as a Partner in the Firm’s Litigation Practice Group. Sharma’s vast litigation experience, from complex contract and commercial disputes to matters involving commercial leases and real estate, will further enhance the Firm’s service offerings in the region and across the United States.

Mayer Brown announced that Vinita Sithapathy has joined the firm as a partner in its Corporate & Securities practice in New York, adding significant depth to its M&A and infrastructure capabilities. Vinita joins the firm from Freshfields.

International law firm McDermott Will & Emery welcomes Sebastien Bonneau as a London-based partner in its Transactions Practice Group. Sebastien focuses on mergers and acquisitions (M&A), private equity, and joint venture transactions.

“Sebastien’s practice is a unique blend of M&A, private equity, real estate, and energy. Given the synergies between our clients and his, he is a great fit for the Firm and the transactions practice,” said Harris Siskind, global head of McDermott’s Transactions Practice Group.

Sarah Harrington will join Covington’s Appellate and Supreme Court practice group as partner and co-chair of the group in the firm’s Washington office December 1, 2024. She most recently served as the Deputy Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Civil Division’s Appellate Section and has argued 22 cases before the United States Supreme Court.

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP announces that Gordon Moodie, a senior mergers and acquisitions lawyer, is joining its New York office as a partner in the Mergers & Acquisitions Group and Public Company Advisory Group. A broad-gauged dealmaker and a sought-after advisor to corporate boards, Mr. Moodie will advise the firm’s clients, including public companies, boards, special committees and private equity sponsors, on the full spectrum of M&A transactions, including those in the technology and AI sectors and with complex corporate governance aspects.

Global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP is expanding its German Labor & Employment Practice with the addition of lawyers from boutique law firm Hyazinth. Partner Thilo Ullrich will join the firm’s Berlin office Oct. 1 together with Counsel Katharina Lorenz, and Associate Nina Schäfer.

King & Spalding announced that financial services regulatory and compliance lawyer Konstantin “Costa” Burkov has joined the firm as a partner in its Corporate practice group in London.

Burkov advises clients on a broad range of financial services regulatory and compliance matters, including those related to fund formations, private equity, and mergers and acquisitions of UK- and EU-headquartered companies. He also advises on sanctions and market abuse, and on Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation and other ESG-related regulatory initiatives.