As the New Year dawned in Europe, law firms wasted no time in bringing new talent onboard. While the number of lateral hires in December was typical for the time of the year, January proved a busy month for partner moves, with Paris rivalling London in terms of levels of activity.
UK
Grabbing the headlines towards the latter half of this month was the shock resignation of KIRKLAND & ELLIS' London managing partner Jim Learner. It is believed that Learner, the US firm's first London-based partner, will leave towards the end of the summer, returning to the US to take up a position with an as-yet unnamed private equity firm.
As well as holding the position of managing partner of the London office, Learner was also the European relationship partner for Bain Capital – a fact which will be of...