Latham raids W&C for banking team

The group includes Chris Kandel, who co-heads White & Case’s London bank finance group. He is moving along with partners Sam Hamilton, Brian Conway and Jayanthi Sadanandan.

The exit of the group raises questions about White & Case’s continuing relationship with several key clients in London, including Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs and Nordic Capital.

London office head Oliver Brettle admitted the exit of the four partners was “a serious blow” but was adamant that the bank finance ­practice would continue.

“Quite obviously this isn’t good news for the firm’s practice in London,” said Brettle. “But I can assure you that we’ll rebuild the practice. We remain ­committed to bank finance globally, in the region and within the London office.”

White & Case’s core bank finance team in London now features partners Magdalene Bayim-Adomako, Barbara Choi and Antonia Rawlinson plus around 30 associates.

Bayim-Adomako has taken over as head of the London group, which is part of the banking and capital markets section headed by David Barwise.

Brettle added that the firm is now looking for a senior bank finance partner.