The resignation of Charlie Geffen from Ashurst this week is not a shock. His defeat to Ben Tidswell in last October’s chairman election paved the way for intense year-long speculation on his next move. Throughout, the assumption both at Ashurst and in the wider market, was that remaining at the firm was not an option for the former senior partner.
The decision to move to the London office of Gibson Dunn & Crutcher, along with fellow private equity star Mark Sperotto, may be a bit more of a surprise. Given his profile, and the fact he had spent five of the last six years in a full-time management role, many would have expected Geffen to move in-house, or to a role with one of his clients. Offers will not have been in short supply.
