CC says 'see you' to junior partners

The revolving door is in full swing at Clifford Chance's London competition team. The group has lost two star partners from its junior ranks in as many months.

First to go was Sonya Branch, who was promoted to the partnership at the beginning of the 2005-06 financial year and who featured in The LawyerHot 100 earlier this year. It was a bittersweet departure for the magic circle firm, as although it lost one of its rising stars, she joined the Office of Fair Trading, where she will become a key contact for the firm.

We also hear that the team will no longer have the pleasure of partner Michael Bryceland, who has also recently quit to take time out from the law.

At least the ranks of junior partners were replenished by Jenine Hulsmann being made up in April. But the M&A boom needs merger control experts. Clifford Chance had better get promoting.