Global law firm White & Case LLP has expanded its Global Commercial Litigation Practice with the addition of Laura Durrant as a new partner in London. She began her career as an associate with Herbert Smith Freehills, and brings nearly 15 years of experience.
“White & Case is a leading law firm for cross-border litigation and investigations and has represented clients on their most important matters in complex litigation, concerning regulatory issues and in some of the most significant enforcement actions arising from the financial crisis,” said White & Case partner Glenn Kurtz, head of the Firm’s Global Commercial Litigation Practice. “Looking ahead, our clients will continue to need support from leaders in bank litigation and enforcement who guided clients through the crisis and are able to apply their expertise and experience in the new landscape, and Laura’s addition adds further strength and depth to the service we provide.”
Durrant arrives at White & Case from the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), where she spent more than eight years and was most recently Head of Litigation & Investigations. In that role, she took the lead on contentious regulatory and financial crime issues, working with the bank’s businesses globally across a range of issues including actual and threatened litigation, business-as-usual but higher risk supervisory reviews and various enforcement and internal investigations. Durrant also advised on investigations, enforcements and prosecutions by authorities in the US, Europe and Asia.
“The last decade has been a very busy time for us, advising financial institutions on the most complex contentious issues arising from the financial crisis. The litigation and enforcement environment for banks is now in a period of change; with the arrival of Laura and Chris Brennan, we are equipping White & Case to support clients in addressing the challenges that they will face,” said White & Case partner John Reynolds, who co-heads the Firm’s Global Financial Institutions Industry Group. “Laura and Chris worked together for a number of years and are now joining forces at White & Case. We look forward to introducing our clients to our expanded and experienced litigation and regulatory enforcement team.”
White & Case partner Charles Balmain, Regional Section Head, EMEA Disputes, said: “As we continue to compete toe-to-toe with the magic circle, it’s exciting to welcome an experienced and accomplished lawyer like Laura, who has a strong market profile and excellent relationships with key figures in the banking industry. We expect financial services regulatory enforcement and litigation to continue to grow, and Laura joins a London litigation team which has continued to expand during 2018 with the arrival of partners Hannah-Field Lowes and Chris Brennan.”
Oliver Brettle, London-based member of White & Case’s global Executive Committee, said: “Our 2020 strategy focuses on driving profitable growth in London, in the global financial institutions industry, and in our disputes practice. The addition of Laura, who has gained tremendous experience at both RBS and previously at Herbert Smith Freehills, represents further progress in all three areas.”
Source: www.whitecase.com
