Lovells recruits A&O counsel as partner to bolster expansion of Paris arbitration team

Laurent Gouiffes, who was a counsel in A&O's litigation department, has joined the top 10 City firm as a partner.

Gouiffes, who has headed A&O's Paris international arbitration practice since 2006 and specialises in technological and energy-related disputes, joins along with one associate.

Lovells launched its Paris arbitration practice at the beginning of 2008 with the hire of partner Jean-Georges Betto from local boutique Derains & Associes. The arbitration practice, which has 22 partners globally, falls under the remit of the dispute resolution group which, in Paris, is headed by Thomas Rouhette.

Patrick Sherrington, Lovells global head of dispute resolution, said: "The creation of a strong base for arbitration in Paris by Jean-Georges Betto has been a major success story for the firm, and the levels of instruction we have received have exceeded all expectation. However, we want to build on this by adding significant energy and bilateral investment treaty disputes knowledge."

Gouiffes' departure leaves A&O without any senior arbitration lawyers in Paris. However, the firm said it was still committed to the practice and would, for the time being, serve the market through existing dispute resolution resources in Paris, with support from London and other offices.

Stephen Jagusch, an international arbitration partner at A&O, said: "Most international arbitration practices have a European base in either London or Paris. Ours is currently London. That said, Paris is an important market for international arbitration work and we remain committed."