Allen & Overy has hired employment specialist, Vicky Wickremeratne, as a partner in London. She joins from Simmons & Simmons where she became a partner in May 2015.
Prior to rejoining Simmons & Simmons in 2013 (she was first hired by them in 2003), Vicky was based in Hong Kong as managing director and senior counsel, Goldman Sachs (Asia) L.L.C. In this position, she managed the Employment Law Group across the Asia-Pacific region. Previously, she has held other roles at De Beers Group, Pinsent Curtis and Linklaters.
A&O’s employment practice sits at the intersection of strategic employment law and financial services regulation. Vicky will work closely with other A&O practices to deliver high value, complex employment risk management matters (contentious and non-contentious). She will focus on cross-jurisdictional matters for global businesses.
Vicky has primarily advised financial services clients, regularly acting for leading banks and funds and asset management businesses. She has also worked with leading companies in the life sciences and TMT sectors.
Head of London employment Sarah Henchoz comments: “The Employment market is becoming increasingly sophisticated as clients seek lawyers they can trust with the real asset of their businesses – their people – whether in a period of growth or recession. For financial services clients, in particular, there has never been a greater need for expert employment lawyers given the extensive cross-over with regulatory issues. We are delighted Vicky is joining us – her arrival will cement our capacity to help clients focus on the headline-making issues of culture, transparency and corporate accountability”.
Global head of litigation Karen Seward added: “Clients require a team which has breadth and a high level of specialisation across all areas of corporate culture. This is at the very top of boardroom agendas in an environment of increased governance, accountability and good corporate practice. Our Employment practice is market-leading and Vicky is the natural choice to join us in taking the practice forward. With her senior in-house experience and depth of expertise in helping clients navigate both conduct contrary to organisational values and setting a tone from the top, her arrival strengthens our commitment to grow a best in class employment practice.”
The appointment follows the promotion of Robbie Sinclair to partner in May 2019.
Vicky was named in the Lawyer’s 2019 Hot 100 list in the Litigators category.
Source: www.allenovery.com
