White & Case partner Hatfield set to quit firm

White & Case partner Rachel Hatfield has announced that she is to leave the firm.

The banking and capital markets partner is understood to have been considering her future for some time and has decided to leave the firm to reassess her career options.

Hatfield, a highly-regarded figure at White & Case, headed up the high yield practice from 2005 to 2008 and was co-head of capital markets from 2002 to 2005. She is also a former member of the firm's executive committee.

She joined White & Case in 2000 from Weil Gotshal & Manges with a team of lawyers headed up by Maurice Allen, which went on to build a hugely successful practice in the City. Allen, along with fellow banking partner Mike Goetz, made a high-profile move to Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer a year ago.

White & Case's Western Europe, Middle East and Africa head of banking and capital markets, David Barwise, commented: "While it is always sad to lose a highly valued colleague and friend, we respect Rachel's decision to leave the firm. Rachel can be justifiably proud of her achievements during her nine years at White & Case, where she has played a significant role in the growth and success of both the London office and our banking and capital markets practice."

"In particular, Rachel has been pivotal in helping us achieve a strong position in the high yield market and in the emerging markets, where we are now viewed a leading firm, both by clients and market observers."

White & Case and Hatfield have stressed that her decision is unrelated to the recently announced firmwide restructuring which could see up to 95 lawyers and support staff laid off. A number of partnership roles are also under threat as part of the review.

Meanwhile, London-based bank finance partner Kate Allchurch is set to relocate to White & Case's Singapore office in the Asia banking, capital markets and restructuring practice in early April.

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