Camerons lands A&O pair to boost Moscow banking team

CMS Cameron McKenna has looked within the ranks of the magic circle to boost its Moscow office after Clifford Chance raided it for two key partners this summer.

Camerons' Moscow operation is taking two Allen & Overy (A&O) senior associates, making up one to partner on arrival.

Grant Williams will be a banking and international finance partner at Camerons. He is joined by fellow A&O senior associate Andrew Coddington, who will retain his title at his new firm.

Williams said: "The Moscow banking and international finance team has a proven record of expertise in the market. Both Andrew and I are looking forward to enhancing the group's practice."

The regional banking and international finance team has needed a boost since it lost its head Jared Grubb to Clifford Chance in July, along with regional head of energy and projects and former Moscow head David Griston (The Lawyer, 26 July).

The magic circle firm then returned to Camerons for a third time, taking senior associate Maria Oleinik in September.

The exits were a blow to Camerons, which has sought to build up its presence in the region recently. It is the first UK-headquartered firm to launch in Ukraine.