Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright announced that real estate and private equity lawyer Edwin ""Eddie"" Collins has joined its Los Angeles office as a partner.

Collins will focus on real estate private equity (REPE) firms, real estate investment and development clients, joint venture formation, acquisitions and dispositions, as well as financing matters on behalf of both private equity firms and real estate operating companies.

The firm's financial regulatory practice is considerable strengthened with the recruitment of Ole Andenæs. Ole joins us from the position as Head of Legal for the past three years in the investment bank Carnegie. Strong professional competence and unique market experience is what makes the 36-year-old ideal as a new partner in Wikborg Rein.

Mayer Brown announced that it has expanded its Real Estate Markets practice with the addition of Jeffrey O’Neale, who joins the firm as a partner in Charlotte. Previously, Mr. O’Neale was a partner at Alston & Bird LLP.

International law firm Trowers & Hamlins has strengthened its real estate offering, recruiting partner Fiona Thomson.

Fiona joins the firm's Birmingham office from DLA Piper, bringing with her over 26 years of experience.

In its pursuit to build upon its market–leading global funds finance practice, Reed Smith has announced that Colin Baker will join the firm as a partner in its Financial Industry Group, based in London. Baker, who joins the firm from Goodwin Procter, brings a practice steeped in funds finance experience acting for fund borrowers and lenders.

Eliot Adelson brings significant experience in civil and criminal antitrust litigation in the U.S. and Japan

Akin Gump announced the addition of partners M. Andrew Holtman Ph.D. and C. Brandon Rash to its intellectual property practice in Washington, D.C. Both come to Akin Gump from the IP boutique firm Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, LLP.

Watson Farley & Williams (“WFW”) is pleased to announce that employment law expert Dr Philipp Byers is joining the firm as a Partner in its Munich office on 1st January 2020. He was previously a Partner and head of the employment law practice group at Lutz Abel in the same city. Two Associates will also be joining WFW with Philipp.

Nigel is a family law specialist, having developed his expertise within the practice area across a 35-year career. He possesses excellent technical experience in all aspects of family and matrimonial law, such as divorce and financial settlements for a range of clients, including high net worth individuals, for whom the VWV team was recently recognised as a leading firm for Private Wealth.

Taylor Wessing Czech Republic welcomes a new partner: Barbora Dubanská, an experienced lawyer specializing in competition, pharmaceutical law and regulatory issues related to EU law. In recent years, she has worked in highly regulated areas with a major focus on pharmaceuticals, FMCG and digital solutions. Taylor Wessing is thus gaining a professional team player with solid international experience. She will not only strengthen the team in the Czech Republic but will also be Co-Head CEE for Life Sciences. As such, she will also significantly enhance synergies between the teams.