Washington, D.C.

United Kingdom-based Linklaters is making a play to grow its presence in the United States and boost its small U.S. bankruptcy practice with a new addition in Washington, D.C.

The Magic Circle firm announced this week that it had hired partner Amy Edgy to its restructuring and insolvency group from Jones Day, which boasts one of the country's largest practices.

Amy Edgy

Edgy said she was motivated by the opportunity to grow Linklaters U.S.-based operation, particularly in the Washington, D.C., market. The firm has about a half-dozen partners in its D.C. office, according to its website, and its only other U.S.-based bankruptcy partner is based in New York.

“It's such a great international city,” Edgy said of the capital. “There are just a lot of opportunities that not everyone has taken advantage of.”

Edgy has regularly represented debtors and creditors involved with the some of the biggest restructurings and reorganizations in the United States. She recently advised coal giant Peabody Energy Corp. in its Chapter 11 cases and previously represented creditors in the Delta Airlines bankruptcy.

Edgy said restructuring matters are growing “flatter and flatter” across international lines, while many firms in Washington remain focused on government-related practices. She said she viewed joining Linklaters as chance to continue building her practice in a city she sees growing by leaps and bounds.

“Amy's credentials, experience and understanding of this space will further enhance our capacity to advise clients in high-value cross-border restructuring matters,” said Tom Shropshire, head of Linklaters' U.S. practice, in a statement. “She is a welcome addition to our team.”

Last year another top U.K. firm, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, added three bankruptcy and restructuring professionals to its New York office.

“Amy's hire represents the continued growth of our U.S. R&I capabilities,” said Margot Schonholtz, head of Linklaters' U.S. restructuring and insolvency practice, in a statement. “Her considerable experience in both the debtor and creditor spaces makes her ideally suited to help us continue to meet the complex needs of our clients in the U.S. and abroad.”

Linklaters growth comes amid the Magic Circle firm's efforts in recent years to recruit and develop talent in America. Linklaters is focused on growth in both New York and Washington, with Edgy's addition marking the third prominent D.C. partner hire in the past year. Former U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission attorney Doug Davison and former Justice Department lawyer Matt Axelrod joined the firm's D.C. office in 2017.