Global, sector-focused law firm HFW has expanded its international commodities practice and continued the growth of its Australia business with the appointment of energy M&A and projects partner Graeme Gamble in Perth.

Graeme, who joined HFW from Herbert Smith Freehills on 1 January 2025, has more than 25 years’ experience advising clients in the energy sector. He is admitted in Australia and England and Wales and has practiced in London and Perth.

WilmerHale is pleased to announce that former US International Trade Commission (ITC) Chair and current Commissioner Rhonda Schmidtlein will join the firm as a partner in its industry-leading International Trade, Investment and Market Access Practice Group. She will be based in WilmerHale’s Washington, DC office.

WilmerHale is pleased to announce that Swain Wood, former first assistant attorney general of North Carolina and general counsel to then-state attorney general, now Governor Josh Stein, has joined the firm as a partner and co-chair of the firm’s industry leading State Attorneys General Practice.

Wood was a critical player in the North Carolina State Attorney General’s Office for over six years, where he handled many of its most complex investigations and negotiations, often working closely with attorneys general and senior staff in other states.

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP, the global litigation powerhouse, announced Ben O'Neil has rejoined the firm as a partner in the Washington, DC office. O'Neil brings substantial experience in managing domestic and cross-border white-collar and corporate fraud litigation, with a particular focus on crisis situations.

Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, announced the addition of Angel L. Garrett as a Shareholder in its San Francisco office. Garrett, who joins the firm from Trucker Huss, focuses her practice on employee benefits and Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) litigation.

Dr. Michiel Huizinga and Pierre-Olivier Mahieu have joined Jones Day as partners in the Corporate Practice. Dr. Huizinga is based in the Frankfurt Office and Mr. Mahieu is based in the Brussels Office.

Jones Day's global Corporate Practice encompasses M&A and Private Equity. In the last five years, the Firm has advised clients on more than 3,000 M&A transactions collectively valued at $1.5 trillion, and many of the world's leading private equity funds are counseled by Jones Day in the full range of corporate transactions.

Holland & Knight has strengthened its Financial Services Team with the addition of Dimitri Nionakis as a partner in Boston. He was most recently executive vice president, chief operating officer and chief legal officer of a Massachusetts-based federal savings institution for more than a decade. Previously, he practiced in Washington, D.C., in global law firms and the federal government.

Alston & Bird has enhanced its mass tort and toxic tort practices with the addition of two new partners. Kara McCall, who advises businesses facing toxic tort and products liability litigation, and Beth Chiarello, who defends class actions and mass tort cases on behalf of Fortune 500 companies, will reside in the firm’s Chicago office.

Davide D'Affronto and Nicholas Lasagna will join Chiomenti as new partners, consolidating the Firm's leadership in the Finance area, together with their team of professionals.

The new partners will join the Debt Finance Practice Area and Davide D'Affronto will lead the Lending and Leverage Finance area. This is the team leader in Leverage & Acquisition financing and the entry is aimed at further strengthening the Firm's ability to assist its clients in complex and innovative financial transactions.

Squire Patton Boggs has hired two new partners in Manchester.  Private equity and corporate lawyer Victoria Jew joins the firm from Pinsent Masons, whilst construction and engineering lawyer Charlotte Higham arrives from Addleshaw Goddard.

“Our office in Manchester continues to flourish and we are delighted to invest in its future growth by welcoming Victoria and Charlotte, the next generation of leaders to the firm,” said Manchester office managing partner Rob Elvin.