International law firm McDermott Will & Emery is pleased to announce the appointment of Peter Lu as a partner in London. Peter joins as the Global Head of the Firm’s China Practice. He has over 14 years of experience in advising Chinese clients on their most strategic mandates, with a particular focus on complex transactions (corporate and restructuring) and strategic litigation. In addition, Counsel Tina Hartwright, associate Ennio Keyte, corporate transactions specialist Alonso de Reyes Lanfranco and paralegal Ziye Ke are joining the Firm with Peter.

Mayer Brown announced that Gabriel Salinas has rejoined the firm’s Houston office as a partner in the Corporate & Securities practice, where he will focus on M&A transactions and energy transition projects. He joins from Shearman & Sterling LLP, where he was part of the firm’s private equity group and co-head of the energy innovation group.

Paul Hastings announced that one of the world’s premier investment funds lawyers, John Budetti, has joined the firm as a partner in New York and global chair of the investment funds and private capital practice. Previously a partner with Kirkland & Ellis and described by The Legal 500 as a “fund formation rock star,” Budetti will be joined by a diverse full-service team of partners covering funds, private capital transactions, tax, and regulatory matters. 

Continuing to add former government officials in key financial regulatory areas, Morgan Lewis welcomes Christine Ayako Schleppegrell, who served as branch chief at the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC’s) Division of Investment Management. She joins as a partner in the firm’s investment management practice resident in Washington, DC, where she will counsel on federal securities regulations and enforcement matters, with a focus on private fund advisers.

Global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP added David R. Eastlake as a shareholder in its Houston office, continuing the growth of the firm’s Texas offices and its international Restructuring & Bankruptcy Practice.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP announced that antitrust trial lawyer Katrina Robson has joined the Firm as a partner in the Antitrust & Competition Practice Group. She is based in Willkie’s Washington, DC office. A globally recognized antitrust litigator, Katrina has tried some of the most significant antitrust cases in recent years, including historic matters related to clearance for multi-billion-dollar mergers. 

Watson Farley & Williams is delighted to announce that energy and infrastructure expert Mhairi Garcia has joined the firm as a Partner in Dubai and Head of the Middle East Projects and Corporate Group.

Law firm Stephenson Harwood LLP has strengthened its global employment, pensions and private wealth (EPP) practice with the arrival of immigration lawyer Jessica Yu. She joins the firm as a partner in the London office.

International law firm Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP (BCLP) announced the opening of an office in Seattle – the firm’s first in the Pacific Northwest – which has grown into a significant litigation hub for its clients.

DLA Piper is pleased to welcome partner Robert da Silva Ashley to the firm’s Leveraged Finance subgroup within the Finance group. He will also serve as the Regional Co-Leader, Latin America P3 and Infrastructure, and split his time between the firm’s New York and Miami offices.