Ashurst hires two KWM partners as firm exits continue
International firm has hired two KWM partners for its London office as KWM sees the latest in a string of exits in recent months
April 19, 2016 at 09:52 AM
5 minute read
The original version of this story was published on Law.com
Ashurst has hired a pair of real estate partners from King & Wood Mallesons (KWM).
Darren Rogers and Patrick Williams will join Ashurst's global real estate practice and will be based in the international firm's London office.
Rogers and Williams will join Ashurst once they have served out their notice periods at KWM.
Rogers joined legacy SJ Berwin as a partner in 2010 after spending nine years as an associate.
He specialises in all aspects of commercial real estate, having particular experience in investment transactions, big-ticket city lettings, joint ventures, pre-lettings and development work.
Williams was made up as partner in KWM's 2015 promotions round. He specialises in sales and acquisitions, investment transactions, joint ventures, pre-lettings, lettings and development work.
Ashurst global head of real estate Hugh Lumby said: "Built environment is a key strategic focus for Ashurst. Darren and Patrick bring particular experience in the Asian markets and with the increasing globalisation of real estate and projected increase of capital flows into Europe from Asia, Middle East and the US, they are a perfect fit for our leading global practice."
The departure of Rogers and Williams is the latest in a string of exits from KWM.
Earlier this year it announced plans to slash 15% of its European partnership. It is unknown whether Rogers and Williams' moves come as a result of those cuts.
The partnership cut will affect around 24 of the firm's Europe, UK and Middle East partnership of around 160.
The review is the second to hit the legacy SJ Berwin arm of the firm in the past year. In July 2015, the firm concluded a partnership review which resulted in more than 15 equity partners leaving the firm.
Former and current partners reacted with shock at the start of this month when a six partner team from the firm's eminent private equity (PE) practice resigned from the Paris office.
One ex-partner says: "Private equity was the jewel in their crown but they've lost the major profit generating partners from that practice. You won't get deals in PE if you don't have the people."
Darren Rogers and Patrick Williams will join
Rogers and Williams will join
Rogers joined legacy
He specialises in all aspects of commercial real estate, having particular experience in investment transactions, big-ticket city lettings, joint ventures, pre-lettings and development work.
Williams was made up as partner in KWM's 2015 promotions round. He specialises in sales and acquisitions, investment transactions, joint ventures, pre-lettings, lettings and development work.
The departure of Rogers and Williams is the latest in a string of exits from KWM.
Earlier this year it announced plans to slash 15% of its European partnership. It is unknown whether Rogers and Williams' moves come as a result of those cuts.
The partnership cut will affect around 24 of the firm's Europe, UK and Middle East partnership of around 160.
The review is the second to hit the legacy
Former and current partners reacted with shock at the start of this month when a six partner team from the firm's eminent private equity (PE) practice resigned from the Paris office.
One ex-partner says: "Private equity was the jewel in their crown but they've lost the major profit generating partners from that practice. You won't get deals in PE if you don't have the people."
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