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Ontier has added Bernadette Accili as a partner in Italy, where she will set up and lead the Tax practice. She has more than 25 years of experience. Ontier says it has added eight new partners in the last year across Ibero-America, Europe and the Middle East.
SourcesLawyerpressConfilegal
DayOne Legal + Tax welcomed Liza Stellingwerf as partner in October 2026 and turns ten on 1 November 2026. Reint Bolhuis was sworn in on 14 October as associate notary at N/P notarial partners. Fleur Vlassak joined Banning's Corporate M&A practice on 12 October 2026 from Stek.
SourceAdvocatie
Another Weil London finance partner is set to join Simpson Thacher. According to Law.com data, Weil has lost, or is set to lose, more than 30 partners globally since July, including around 19 industry-ranked lawyers and 10 senior leaders.
Mayer Brown announced Caroline Texier will join as partner (associée) and Maxime Nativelle as counsel in its Paris restructuring department from 2 November 2026. The team will then have seven lawyers. Nativelle joins from Paul Hastings, where he was of counsel since 2024.
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer announced that Peter Allen will join as a debt capital markets partner in its Finance and Restructuring practice in London, from Freshfields. The firm cited earlier hires in Milan (Emanuela Da Rin and team), London (Stuart Brinkworth), Luxembourg (Laurent Massinon) and Paris (Carole Nerguararian).
SourceLegal Desire
Samir Bensaker joins Norton Rose Fulbright's Paris office as partner in the securitisation and financing team, after ten months as partner in its London office. He advises on securitisation, credit portfolio sales and acquisitions, and NAV financing risk transfer. He has been admitted to the Paris bar since 2011 and previously worked at Allen & Overy and Gide Loyrette Nouel.
Dentons has recruited restructuring partner Kevin Heverin from Baker McKenzie in London. He is recognised as a "Next Generation" partner in The Legal 500. Paul Jarvis, CEO of Dentons' UK, Ireland and Middle East region, and Susan Moore, the region's Restructuring Practice Group Leader, are quoted welcoming the hire.
SourceLegal Desire
Law.com reports that Freshfields' latest Germany private equity partner has exited after just nine months. The exit puts the firm's Germany PE rebuild into doubt. The firm earlier lost a high-profile team to Latham & Watkins.
Toda & Nel-lo has added Remedios García as partner in its Tax practice in Madrid. She joins from Gómez-Acebo & Pombo, where she was counsel and professional tax partner, and has over 25 years of experience. Her arrival brings the firm's Madrid office to six partners.
SourceLawyerpress
Jones Day made a double hire of German financial markets partners from Kirkland and Dentons. The hires will boost the firm's Munich and Frankfurt offices.
Nora Keßler joins Osborne Clarke as equity partner in Frankfurt effective 16 November 2026, with counsel Christoph Palzer and associate Catinca Vidan from BluePort Legal. The German patent litigation practice grows from seven to ten lawyers. Katrin Helle joins the Munich office from White & Case as counsel on 1 November 2026.
SourceJUVE Patent
Latham & Watkins has hired IP litigator Jason Raeburn into its London office as it looks to build out its technology and AI offering. He joins from Paul Hastings, where he spent four years and headed the City IP and tech litigation practice.
SourceLegal Business
Eversheds Sutherland hired David Père as a partner in its Paris litigation and dispute resolution department, where he heads a new white-collar crime, investigations and compliance unit. Associate Théo Mercier joins with him. Both were previously at Addleshaw Goddard.
SourcesLe Monde du Droit — NominationsDécideurs Juridiques — Nominations
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP announced the appointment of Joseph Destribois, Pap Diouf and Louis-Marie Savatier as counsel in its Paris office, effective 1 January 2027. Destribois works on M&A and private equity, Diouf on financing transactions, and Savatier on M&A. Destribois and Diouf joined the firm in 2018, Savatier in 2019.
McDermott Will & Schulte promoted 36 new partners firmwide, fewer than half of the 74 promoted last year. Three are in London, up from two last year: commercial litigator Harry Denleigh-Maxwell, Giulia Venanzoni in finance, and PE-focused M&A counsel Zoe Woodhouse.
SourceLegal Business
Ropes & Gray made up four new partners in its London office. It is the first time the firm has promoted new partners in the City since 2023, when it made up a single antitrust partner. The London promotions are part of a 26-strong global class, up from 20 last year.
White & Case announced 47 lawyers will join its partnership on 1 January 2027, from 21 offices in 13 countries and 13 practice groups. 40 percent are in US offices. Three are in Germany: Alisa Preissler (Tax, Frankfurt), Dr.
M&B Avocats announced Claudia Ambrós Biern as a new partner. She has worked at the firm for over fourteen years, having joined as an intern when the Barcelona office opened, and advises on cross-border transactions in Spain.
Sullivan & Cromwell had a conservative approach to its London operations until 2025. It then began making aggressive lateral hires to significantly expand its presence in London. The article asks whether the plan is working.
Two people familiar with the matter said Davis Polk & Wardwell lawyers, including restructuring partner Brian Resnick and chair Neil Barr, are advising Weil Gotshal & Manges as it assesses its future.
SourcesAbove the LawBluesky — Big Law searchBluesky — Big Law searchLegal CheekBluesky — Big Law search
Mezzle Law appointed administrators from FTS Recovery earlier this month, a day before a winding-up petition by HM Revenue & Customs was due to be heard. The firm has effectively closed. Founded in 2021, it let consultants keep 70% of fees up to £500,000 and 80% thereafter.
Milbank will adjust associate salaries in Germany on 1 January 2027, with raises at all seniority levels. First-year base rises to €200,000, from the current €180,000, and bonuses can add to that. Co-Managing Partner Steffen Oppenländer said the aim is to attract and retain top talent.
Antas da Cunha ECIJA announced a new multidisciplinary Defence and Security area, coordinated by partner Paulo Sande. Colonel Luís Manuel Brás Bernardino joins as international security consultant. The practice covers public procurement, import/export controls, compliance and M&A.
SourceLawyerpress
Law.com International reports office launches and lateral moves, from Kirkland to Latham, reflecting Big Law's efforts to strengthen Brussels competition teams and compete for complex, cross-border mandates. No individual names, move counts or dates are given.
Clyde & Co held TRI Day Madrid on 21 October at Hotel Orfila, with about 90 attendees from insurers, brokers and law firms. Panels covered warranty and indemnity insurance moving into smaller M&A deals, claims, tax insurance, and AI in risk assessment. Miguel Relaño, co-managing partner of Clyde & Co in Spain, spoke.
SourcesConfilegalLawyerpress
Reed Smith LLP said Tuesday that the former longtime managing partner of its London office is returning to the job. The return comes less than two years after that person handed the role to the current managing partner.
SourcesReed Smith LLP (firm news page)Bluesky — Big Law search
Marcalliance, an international network of independent law firms, named Gastón Durand president for the next two years after its board ratified the appointment at a recent meeting in Brussels. Durand is a partner and Management Committee member at Forvis Mazars in Spain. Hedwige Caldairou was named vice-president.
SourceEconomist & Jurist
Gastón Durand, partner and Management Committee member of Forvis Mazars in Spain, was named president of Marcalliance, an international alliance of independent law firms, for two years. Hedwige Caldairou will be vice-president. The Marcalliance board approved the appointment at its latest meeting in Brussels.
SourceLawyerpress
Ramona Nee decided not to take a top leadership role at Weil. She relayed the decision to Weil's other leaders. The decision comes after mounting partnership exits.
SourcesLaw.com — The American LawyerBluesky — Big Law searchLegal CheekLegal BusinessBluesky — Big Law searchAbove the LawBluesky — Big Law searchBluesky — Big Law searchAbove the LawLegal BusinessAbove the Law
Aurora Sanz joined Grant Thornton in 2014 from Baker & McKenzie and still leads its Labor area. Since 10 March 2026 she also heads Tax & Legal in Spain, which billed €38 million in 2025, up 10.8%. The firm billed €107.1 million.
SourceConfilegal
RocaJunyent Grupo approved its 2027 Strategic Plan at its third national meeting, held 22-23 October in Valladolid. President Joan Roca cited more than €51 million in revenue, 12 offices, over 350 collaborators and over 80 partners. The fourth meeting will be in Valencia.
SourceLawyerpress
Soriano i Piqueras has renewed its presence in Best Lawyers. Víctor M. Soriano, director, is recognised in Administrative, Real Estate and Urban Planning law.
SourceLawyerpress
A&O Shearman advised Sequence HQ Ltd on its sale to Intuit Inc. A joint London and Chicago team ran the deal, led by partners Valentine Bleicher (Chicago) and Will Samengo-Turner (London). Sequence is an AI-native revenue management platform based in London and New York.
SourceA&O Shearman — news
DLA Piper advised a pool of 3 banks led by Banque Populaire Val de France, as arranger, on Amethis's LBO acquisition financing of ATI Industries. The senior financing totals 15.8 million euros. Racine advised the borrower.
A&O Shearman advised the banks on Schneider Electric's capital increase of about €6 billion, partly financing its acquisition of PTC Inc. It was an accelerated private placement of 25 million new shares at €240 each, about 4.32% of capital. Three partners and four associates are named.
Law.com International Edition reports that Uría and PLMJ are advising on Lufthansa's €1B play for Portugal's TAP airline.
CMS Francis Lefebvre advised NextStage AM and Innovafonds on their investment in Groupe Coravia, which is also acquiring Medissimo. Aquiti, Siparex Entrepreneur and UI Investissement are selling their stakes. The CMS team on corporate/M&A was Arnaud Hugot and Laurine Pryjda.
Joffe & Associés advised Cashbee, a digital savings and investment platform, on MIF (Mutuelle d'Ivry – La Fraternelle) taking 85% of its capital. MIF first took a 21% stake in 2024. The deal includes a €3 million capital injection and a buyout of minority shareholders.
Goodwin advised LFPI on acquiring a majority stake in CBM, an international distributor of spare parts for buses and coaches. LFPI has €28 billion of assets under management. The Goodwin team covered corporate, tax and financing aspects and included partners Thomas Dupont-Sentilles, Charles-Henri de Gouvion Saint-Cyr and Adrien Paturaud.
King & Spalding advised LBO France on selling its entire minority stake in Mazarine Group to Mazarine NewCo, a holding controlled by founder and majority shareholder Paul-Emmanuel Reiffers. The deal is LBO France's full exit and was financed by senior secured debt and equity. The team included Thomas Philippe, Nicolas Richard and Fernand Arsanios.
After years of expansion, many of Germany's large firms, including Freshfields, are taking on fewer associates. Some firms, such as Latham & Watkins and CMS, are still growing and competing aggressively for top talent.
TA Associates becomes anchor shareholder of the Alloheim Group. Previous owner Nordic Capital sells its stake in full. Alloheim is based in Düsseldorf, operates over 320 senior residences in Germany and employs about 30,000 people.
SourceJUVE
Esade Alumni's XVIII Aptíssimi business law awards went to Almudena Arpón de Mendívil, partner and head of TMT at Gómez-Acebo & Pombo (career award), Esteve Healthcare, MOEVE's Legal & Assurance department, and AIJA. The ceremony took place at the Fábrica de Tapices in Madrid.
SourcesConfilegalLawyerpress
Renk Group, an Augsburg-based defence company, is selling its Slide Bearings (Gleitlager) business. The buyer is Miba, an Austrian industrial and technology company based in Laakirchen. The sale is part of Renk's strategic realignment.
SourceJUVE
Linklaters advised Bank of China on offshore Renminbi notes issued by its Dubai and Frankfurt branches. The Dubai branch issued RMB 2bn 1.60 per cent Yulan notes due 2028, dual-listed on Nasdaq Dubai and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The Frankfurt branch issued RMB500m FTZ offshore notes.
SourceThe Oath (Middle East)
A&O Shearman advised private equity firm Naxicap Partners on acquiring a majority stake in Bharal Développement from FrenchFood Capital. Bharal is the parent of Difagri, Alinova and Dietagro. The team was led by partner Marc Castagnède, with partners Thomas Roy on financing and Charles Del Valle on tax.
Stephenson Harwood's Corporate M&A team advised Ubicité, a subsidiary of Groupe Altitude, on its acquisition of Wi6Labs. The team was led by partner Guillaume Briant. Wi6Labs' founders were advised by GBA Avocats.
Mayer Brown advised CVC on the tax structuring of the proposed combination between Panzani and Cerealis. The shareholders have entered exclusive negotiations, and the combined group would generate about €1 billion in revenue. Completion is subject to employee representative consultation and regulatory approvals.
SourceLegal Desire
Abdón Pedrajas Littler launched a new company, Kinema People. Diego Navarro leads it, with Antonio Pedrajas as president. The company completes an integrated labor advisory model.
Clifford Chance advised CICC on its three-way merger with Dongxing Securities and Cinda Securities through mergers by absorption and share exchange. The combined group is expected to have assets of more than RMB1 trillion. The transaction was completed on 26 October 2026.
Linklaters advises Cerealis on its planned combination with Panzani to create an independent European food group. Shareholders have entered exclusive negotiations. The combined group would have an enterprise value of about €1.8 billion and about 1,800 employees.
McDermott Will & Schulte advised fund Latour Capital on a significant equity stake in Tevah Systèmes, a French distributor of electronic security equipment. Latour Capital takes over from minority shareholder Capza Transition (since 2022); founding Berda family and management reinvest significantly.
Citing Financial Times and Impact Lawyers, the outlet reports some Freshfields partners discussed separating Freshfields Lab, its AI and legal tech division, as an independent company. Outside investors and an eventual flotation were among options. Talks are at an early stage with no certainty.
Insolvency proceedings over The Social Chain AG have concluded after three and a half years. The listed legal entity was transferred to Hamburg-based Meridiana Capital Markets SE, which apparently intends to use it for a defense project. Shareholders receive nothing.
SourceJUVE
Eversheds Sutherland España obtained AENOR's Diversity and Inclusion Management certification (SGD&I, based on ISO 30415), announced Monday 26 October. It is described as the first law firm in Spain to receive it. The firm has 21 partners and nearly 100 lawyers in Spain.
SourcesLawyerpressConfilegal
The Telegraph reported that London-based Thomson Heath Jenkins & Associates, lead solicitors for seven claimants in a privacy action against Associated Newspapers Limited, went bankrupt, called in insolvency practitioners and closed its office. Founder Mark Thomson owned 100% of its shares. The High Court dismissed the case in July.
SourceAustralasian Lawyer
Cooley advised Gattaca, a venture-backed blockchain infrastructure company based in London, on its acquisition of Blink Labs, a platform that helps wallets and applications route and protect users' transactions. Jonathan Cohen, Laurence Nelson, Maddie Drabble, David Wilson, Eerik Kukebal, Nicola Squire, Chris Stack, Kafeel Azher, Eric Davison and Caroline Hobson led the Cooley team.
SourceCooley — media feed
Jones Day advised Belgian family holding Alcopa on selling its majority stake in CAR ET BUS MAINTENANCE (CBM) to LFPI. The deal was completed on 15 October 2026. The Jones Day team was led by partner Alexandre de Verdun.
Orrick advised the Banque Ouest Africaine de Développement (BOAD) on a €200 million cross-loan agreement with PROPARCO, signed 14 October 2026. The loans are denominated in EUR and XOF. It follows a €600 million reciprocal financing agreement with the IFC, for €800 million in total.
Linklaters advised Sanofi in the European Commission investigation into its communications on enhanced flu vaccines. On 14 October 2026 the Commission made Sanofi's commitments legally binding under Article 9 of Regulation 1/2003. The case closed with no finding of infringement and no fine.
Confirmed items are announced by the firm or reported as fact by the cited outlets. Unconfirmed items are reports the firms have not confirmed. Every item links to its sources; we add nothing the sources do not say.
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