A&O boosts New York tax practice with Us partners

Allen & Overy has poached two US partners from Arnold & Porter to strengthen its New York office.

Robert DeJoy and Jack Heinberg joined last week, bringing Allen & Overy's international tax department to 50 tax professionals, including 15 partners, worldwide.

DeJoy was previously senior tax partner at Arnold & Porter, representing Fortune 500 companies. His practice included advising on corporate joint ventures, inbound and outbound investments, acquisition divestitures and separations and global tax minimisation planning.

Heinberg was a tax partner at Arnold & Porter's New York office.

The moves follow last week's recruitment of Stephen Fiamma, former managing partner of Jones Day Reavis & Pogue's London office, to become a tax partner (The Lawyer, 13 March).

New York managing partner Carl Sheldon says that the practice has been looking for US tax lawyers for a long time.

He says: "US tax law is now included in all kinds of cross-border transactions and corporate deals. We were subcontracting the work out to US firms, a situation that was becoming less satisfactory so it was time for us to get the right US tax capability.

"In addition we foresee many key clients starting to approach risk management on a global basis and tax risk management is a key part of that."

Heinberg had worked with Allen & Overy on tax matters in the past.

"I joined because for me the most attractive aspect was to be part of building a cross-border tax practice, particularly with an international law firm," he says.

Head of the US law group Jeff Golden says: "As the practice has broadened we have seen more and more transactions with a very significant US tax component.

"The arrival of Stephen, Bob and Jack will enable us to provide clients with a complete service in these circumstances."

DeJoy was unavailable for comment.

The US law group of Allen & Overy now has 22 partners and 90 lawyers worldwide.