McDermott set for City private client practice launch with two senior hires

Former LG senior partner drafted in for launch of dedicated private client team in City

McDermott Will & Emery is to launch a private client practice in the City through a double partner hire, including LG’s former senior partner.

Martyn Gowar will join McDermott from Penningtons, where he has been a part-time consultant since April 2008. He was previously a partner with Lawrence Graham (now LG) for 33 years, including a stint as senior partner between 1997 and 2002, and is a consultant on LG’s website. Once he joins McDermott, however, he will no longer consult at LG.

Gowar will be joined at McDermott by partner Andrew Vergunst, who has been with professional services firm Maitland since 1997, holding various positions, including group director, law partner and head of the private client department.

The pair will join the firm on 1 October along with one associate, with another set to join the group from the tax department. They will sit within McDermott’s broader private client group, which is headed by Chicago-based partner Carol Harrington and advises wealthy families, charitable institutions and private companies.

The firm already has private client capability in Germany and Italy, although in some locations this is carried out by lawyers sitting within the tax practice.

London head Doron Ezickson commented: “In recent months we have been focusing our efforts on building the London practice with high-calibre partners in our key areas of strength. Private wealth has become a global business and it makes sense to serve clients on both sides of the Atlantic.”

The hires make McDermott one of the first major US law firms to launch a private client practice alongside Baker & McKenzie, which has an established practice.