International law firm Gowling WLG is continuing its development strategy by growing its International Arbitration practice in Paris.

As part of a global expansion strategy, the firm is delighted to welcome partner Marie-Aude Ziadé into its International Arbitration team. Marie-Aude joins Gowling WLG alongside a senior team of associates, having previously headed the dispute resolution department at ORANO (formerly AREVA) and practiced international arbitration with great success in her own co-founded boutique firm in France for four years.

Law firm Stephenson Harwood LLP has strengthened its ship and offshore finance practice with the arrival of partner Stuart McAlpine, who joins the firm in London.

Stuart is a highly experienced ship finance, offshore finance and shipping projects partner who has worked at a number of UK and US law firms around the world. His clients include banks, shipowners, trading houses, energy companies and other participants involved in all aspects of the shipping and energy industries, including in renewable energy.

International law firm Simmons & Simmons has announced that structured finance and derivatives (SFD) partner Matthew Monahan will join its financial markets practice in London.

Joining Simmons after 20 years at City firm Linklaters, Matthew brings extensive experience as a specialist in structured products, OTC derivatives transactions and synthetic securitisation, commanding a strong track record on a number of market-leading transactions.

International law firm Bird & Bird appoints technology expert Hélder Santos as its new Head of LegalTech and Innovation.

International law firm Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner announced that Partner Jeff Wakolbinger has joined the firm in the Chicago office. Jeff joins the global IP & Tech Disputes practice.

Dentons has welcomed Tax Partner, Sue Williamson and her team to bolster the Firm’s tax practice with over 30 years’ experience in tax risk management, disputes and litigation.

Sue’s practice focuses on tax audits, alternative dispute resolution, tax litigation and ATO anti-avoidance powers. Sue’s experience spans all industries, with significant expertise in energy and resources, build-to-rent and property.

Dentons Canada welcomes Paul Ryzuk to the Firm’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution, Construction and Infrastructure and PPP groups in Edmonton. Paul brings over two decades of combined legal and technical expertise, uniquely equipping him to provide clients with highly technical and tailored advice for complex construction and litigation matters.

Leading global law firm Dentons has welcomed Toby Gray as partner in its Banking & Financial Services team in London. Toby joins Dentons from Linklaters, where he was a well-established Capital Markets partner.

Toby brings with him over 27 years of experience at Linklaters, including 18 as a partner, specialising in complex securitised derivative products, with a particular emphasis on repackagings, credit-linked notes and synthetic securitisations.

Mills & Reeve Head of Environment, Keith Davidson joins Fast Growing Planning and Environment Team

Law firm Irwin Mitchell is boosting its ESG Practice with the recruitment of Keith Davidson as a new partner in its Planning and Environment Team. Keith is recognised as a leading expert on environmental and sustainability issues. He was a former Environment Commissioner for Greater Manchester and Head of Environment at Mills & Reeve. 

International law firm Clifford Chance appointed Jason C. Ewart as a partner in its Global Financial Markets team as the firm expands its US Leveraged Finance group.

The hiring of Ewart, who advises on private debt and alternative capital financings as well as traditional leveraged finance and capital markets transactions, meets growing market demand for private credit as a source of funding. He is joined by UK-based partner Thomas Critchley, who relocates to the US later this month to bolster the firm's sponsor-side leveraged finance capability.