Simmons & Simmons has created a brand new head of European consumer relations function in an effort to help continental shoppers within the post-Brexit panorama.
The place will likely be stuffed by the agency’s present German nation head and longstanding international disputes chief, Hans-Hermann Aldenhoff. Aldenhoff, who has run the agency’s disputes operate for 13 years, will likely be winding down his fee-earning to give attention to the brand new function.
Aldenhoff advised Authorized Enterprise he will likely be encouraging the cross-selling of shoppers all through Europe, in addition to aiding shoppers with post-Brexit transitions. He mentioned: ‘Half of our revenues are originated outdoors of the UK. We’re not making an attempt to interchange the UK after all, however the dominance of London is barely dwindling. “Decline” can be too robust of a time period for London, however it’s principally a consequence of Brexit. Our shoppers are on a twin observe nowadays, fairly than placing all their eggs into the UK basket.’
UK disputes chief Emily Monastiriotis has been named as Aldenhoff’s successor for the worldwide function, and she or he advised Authorized Enterprise: ‘The UK follow makes up roughly half of the agency’s international dispute decision income, and I really feel like I’ve guided the UK follow into a great place. Now’s the time for me to give attention to the opposite half – with Brexit and the horrible scenario in Ukraine, our worldwide follow is extra necessary than ever.’
Monastiriotis outlined her three key priorities – first, she hopes to boost Simmons’ model consciousness and profile throughout the continent. Secondly, Monastiriotis will encourage the worldwide disputes workforce to ‘suppose as one workforce with out borders’ as a way to collaborate with the agency’s worldwide shoppers. And eventually, she’s going to more and more leverage Simmons’ authorized tech arm, Wavelength, to raised serve shoppers.
Final week, Simmons unveiled stable monetary outcomes, headlined by a 6% progress in international turnover. Managing companion Jeremy Hoyland outlined the significance of the agency’s European community, which was underpinned by the lately established Munich patent prosecution follow: in January, Simmons employed a gaggle of attorneys from the Munich workplace of Isenbruck Bösl Hörschler.
Tom.baker@legalease.co.uk