International law firm Withers continues to build on its range of legal offerings in Tokyo with the appointment of corporate partner Kazumitsu (Kaz) Goto. Kaz focuses on international and cross-border corporate M&A matters. He joins from TMI Associates, where he was a partner, alongside associate Ryokei Abe.

LAW FIRM ADDLESHAW GODDARD HAS APPOINTED FINANCIAL SERVICES VETERAN JAMES GREIG, AS A PARTNER WITHIN ITS REGULATORY TEAM.

His arrival brings the total number of non-contentious partners in its specialist financial services team to seven.

Having over three decades of experience within the wholesale financial services market, James has held various senior in-house and private practice roles, most recently acting as Head of Regulatory Relations and Regulatory Policy at Barclays Bank plc.

Further bolstering the firm’s global investment management practice, Divya Thakur joins Morgan, Lewis & Bockius as a partner and will be resident in the Singapore office as of November 1.

King & Spalding has added private equity lawyer Paul Barron as a partner in the firm’s Corporate, Finance and Investments (CFI) Practice Group in London.

Barron advises on a wide selection of corporate finance matters, with a focus on private equity and M&A transactions. He acts for numerous private equity managers, management teams, corporates and investors on key mandates, both in the U.K. and internationally.

Akin Gump announced the addition of high-profile special situations lawyer Ranesh Ramanathan to the firm. Together with partner Dan Fisher, Ramanathan will co-lead the special situations and private credit group, adding significant leadership depth to a practice widely recognized as a global powerhouse in advising leading asset managers across the entire spectrum of funds, finance, M&A and restructuring transactions. Ramanathan joins from Kirkland & Ellis LLP.

Richard Hoad has joined the Firm as a partner in the Intellectual Property Practice. He is based in the Melbourne Office.

Mr. Hoad advises major Australian and international clients involved in disputes concerning trademarks, patents, designs, copyright, confidential information, and advertising claims. He also provides compliance counsel and training regarding consumer law, franchising law, and cybersecurity, and assists clients dealing with regulatory investigations in these areas.

Global law firm Goodwin announced that Jonathan Hecht, former assistant chief counsel and acting co-chief counsel in the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Division of Enforcement, joined the firm’s Complex Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice as a partner, resident in the Washington, D.C. office.

Global law firm Goodwin announced that Jia Jia Huang joined the firm’s Technology practice as a partner, resident in the Los Angeles office. 

Global law firm Goodwin announced that Meg Thering joined the firm’s Employment practice as a partner, resident in the San Francisco office.

“Meg’s in-house and law firm experience in counseling, transaction support, and litigation fits perfectly with the core aspects of our employment practice,” said Rob Hale, chair of Goodwin’s Employment practice. “Dynamic and growing companies in Northern California turn to us for guidance with managing challenging employment issues. Meg’s talents will further strengthen our team.”