1 August 2018 – KWM announces three exciting developments that underline its sustained commitment to growth and its visions for the London office.
First, litigator Darren Roiser has been named as the London office’s Managing Partner. Darren also leads the London office’s investigations and fraud practice and earlier this year was included in The Lawyer’s UK ‘Hot 100’ for 2018. By appointing a young energetic partner to the role, Asia’s number one firm continues an approach that has served it well in many of its PRC offices, and shows a real commitment both to “home grown” talent and to innovation. Darren will serve a three-year term.
Second, KWM’s London office will shortly be moving to new landmark offices on the 11th floor of 20 Fenchurch Street (the “Walkie Talkie” building). This is to accommodate further growth, predominately across its corporate, banking and finance and dispute resolution practices.
Third, KWM London is delighted to announce the arrival of the following new partners Alix Prentice, Mark Schaub and Meg Utterback.
Alix Prentice - Alix has over 18 years of regulatory experience (including within enforcement authorities) across a range of industries and asset classes. Her expertise includes alternative investment funds and private equity and regulated mergers and acquisitions. Having spent more than a decade at US law firms Alix has considerable expertise assisting both US and other overseas financial services businesses investing in the UK. Alix joins us from Withers’ London office.
Mark Schaub – Mark was the first foreign lawyer to join KWM in 2000 and, following nearly two decades of being involved in some of Asia’s largest deals, he joins the London office from KWM Shanghai. Mark who is fluent in English, German and Mandarin, specialises in foreign direct investment, private equity, M&A and restructuring. He has advised on foreign investment projects in all major sectors across China with a cumulative value exceeding US$ 20 billion. Mark is an exceptional lawyer who has an encyclopedic knowledge of Chinese investment.
Meg Utterback – Meg also joins the London office from KWM Shanghai where she has practiced for over eight years before which she was Managing Partner of Pillsbury’s Shanghai Office. Meg who is fluent in English and Mandarin brings not only extensive experience but also a “top draw” roster of clients from across her practice which spans International Arbitration, trade and white-collar matters.
Wang Rongkang, Managing Partner of KWM EUME, said: “I am delighted to congratulate Darren Roiser on his appointment. Darren has made an exceptional contribution to the firm over recent years and I am confident that the office will thrive under his leadership.”
Darren Roiser, KWM London Managing Partner, comments: “I am delighted to take on the role of Managing Partner but also humbled by the support I have received from my Partners in London and across the wider KWM network. The move to the new office together with the addition of three outstanding and experienced partners, with their strong international and Chinese connections, underlines KWM’s commitment to and on-going investment in our London practice. This really is an exciting time and I look forward to us all working together to grow the London practice and further deepen our client relationships.”
Wang Rongkang adds: “The addition of Alix, Mark and Meg to our London team gives us a number of distinct strengths. Mark provides in-depth knowledge of the China market across policy, M&A and regulatory developments. Alix provides access to valuable regulatory expertise which is critical to many deals involving Chinese investment in the UK and across Europe. Adding to the strength of our already highly regarded dispute resolution team in London, Meg brings quite simply exceptional skill and world class capability.”