Following the significant growth of its Financial Markets (FM) practice, international law firm Simmons & Simmons has announced that the single practice group will be expanded into two new divisions: Financial Markets and Real Estate (FMR) and Financial Services and Tax (FST).
Simmons’ market-leading FM practice is a major part of the firm’s global offering. It comprises over 540 expert legal advisers, operating across 15 of its offices worldwide. The group has more than doubled in size since 2010, creating an opportunity to expand into two, to facilitate future growth.
Taking effect from 1 November, the two new practices will create more focused group leadership, further strengthening international alignment:
- The new Financial Markets and Real Estate (FMR) practice will cover Banking, Real Estate, Structured Finance & Derivatives, and Debt Capital Markets.
- The new Financial Services and Tax (FST) practice will cover Investment Funds, Financial Services Regulatory, and Corporate Tax.
Two highly experienced partners have been appointed to lead the new groups:
- Michael Lorraine will lead the firm’s FMR practice. Michael heads the firm’s UK Structured Finance and Derivatives Group and co-heads the Asset-Backed Finance and Securitisation cross-border team.
- David Williams will lead the firm’s FST practice. David heads the firm’s UK Investment Funds team and co-chairs the International Investment Funds Group. He also leads the firm’s Private Assets sub-sector group.
David and Michael will succeed FM practice head Mahrie Webb, who has spearheaded the practice’s significant growth and international expansion in this area since 2020.
Michael Lorraine commented: “I’m delighted to lead the new FMR practice group. This allows greater focus on our market leading financial markets and real estate transactional practices as we look to significantly expand our capability across our international network, focusing on our key clients and aligned to our sector focus.”
David Williams commented: “Leading Simmons’ FST practice is a real privilege. Our expertise and reputation across funds, financial services regulation and corporate tax is second to none, but we have really ambitious plans to build on that success across our global business.”
