White & Case has moved to bolster its London arbitration practice with a heavyweight partner hire from Lovells.
The US firm has recruited Lovells global international arbitration head Phillip Capper, who is set to join in May.
His arrival will take the number of partners in London covering arbitration to 10, but worldwide the team has around 170 lawyers, including 38 partners.
John Bellhouse, head of White & Case’s London dispute resolution department, told Legal Week: “We have a good arbitration practice but I want to enhance it and Phillip is part of those plans. He is a renowned expert in the engineering, construction and infrastructure fields, making him a much sought-after individual.”
Lovells partner Michael Davison is set to replace Capper as worldwide head of arbitration, leading a global team of 35 partners.
Lovells managing partner David Harris said: “Capper is well regarded as an arbitrator and academic. We are currently significantly growing our dispute resolution capability, including arbitration, and Michael’s appointment provides the opportunity to drive the practice forward with a new generation of leaders.”
The departure comes several months after veteran corporate partner Hugh Nineham quit to join McDermott Will & Emery.
Capper’s recruitment comes as White & Case continues its drive to move English law partners into ‘hot’ emerging markets. Recent transfers include energy, infrastructure and project finance partners Nick Collins, Chris Langdon and Evgenia Laurson to Abu Dhabi, Riyadh and Moscow respectively, while structured finance partner Simon Morgan is set to move to Moscow.
