Simmons set to launch environment practice with Travers partner hire

Simmons & Simmons is to launch a dedicated environment practice with the hire of Travers Smith's head of environment and planning Steven McNab.

McNab, whose start date is still being negotiated, will take the title of head of environment at Simmons. He has been with Travers since 2006, having previously practised with Jones Day and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.

McNab's practice focuses on environmental, planning and health and safety aspects of transactions and projects. He also has experience in the energy, waste, chemicals, manufacturing and climate change sectors and was the founding partner of climate change pro bono initiative Leapfrog, which launched last year.

He commented: "Simmons has great relationships with corporates in the energy, pharma, waste and manufacturing sectors, and a range of leading investor and governmental clients. I am looking forward to working with lawyers across practices and internationally to further develop their environment practice."

McNab was the only dedicated environment partner at Travers, although the firm has real estate partners that handle environmental issues. The firm is currently in the process of deciding on a replacement.

News of the hire comes after a number of recent partner departures from Simmons, including the loss of financial markets litigation head Jonathan Kelly, who is set to join Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton in April.

Other departures include Stephen Moller, who left Simmons' Frankfurt office to join US firm K&L Gates in London in January, and City real estate partner Rachel Francis-Lang and finance partner Bodo Schaar, who joined the London offices of Lewis Silkin and Salans respectively towards the end of last year.

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