Another star A&O partner quits for another US firm

Allen & Overy’s (A&O) London office has lost another partner, this time seeing corporate partner Vanessa Blackmore defect to Sullivan & Cromwell.

Blackmore, an equity capital markets specialist, who has been a partner since 1999 resigned earlier today (14 May).

Rodgin Cohen, chairman of Sullivan & Cromwell, said: “Vanessa’s arrival is the latest in a series of initiatives we have taken in London, Paris and Frankfurt over the past six years to strengthen our existing capabilities to serve our clients in Europe and worldwide, and once again demonstrates our commitment to Europe, which has long been part of our core practice.”

Blackmore is the latest in a series of partners to quit A&O recently. Her resignation comes hot on the heels of the depatures of star finance partner Stephen Gillespie who quit at the end of April to join the London office of Kirkland & Ellis and corporate partner Michael McDonald who is joining Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton.

Last year finance partner Tony Keal joined Simpson Thacher & Bartlett and banking partner Clive Wells signed for Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom.

Meanwhile, capital markets partners Julian Tucker and Angus Duncan left for Shearman & Sterling and Cadwalader respectively.