A&O snaps up Norton Rose Dutch heavyweight

Allen & Overy (A&O) has reaped the spoils of Norton Rose's failure to integrate Dutch construction star Arent van Wassenaer.

The ex-managing partner of Norton Rose's Amsterdam office is set to join the magic circle firm's projects practice in the Dutch capital.

Van Wassenaer, who was instrumental in establishing Norton Rose's Dutch office in 2002, had been practising in the banking department since stepping down as managing partner in 2005.

Norton Rose Amsterdam managing partner Ep Hannema said: "He wasn't a typical banking lawyer - his practice is very specialised. There wasn't much interaction between the corporate finance and banking finance lawyers and his practice."

A&O London projects head Graham Vinter said: "It's about having the right resources in the right places."

The appointment comes just three weeks after The Lawyer revealed that A&O was set to slash the number of equity points awarded to its London project finance partners in a bid to keep the practice competitive (23 January).

Van Wassenaer has more than 20 years' experience, specialising in domestic and cross-border construction.