CC sends duo abroad in emerging markets push
Clifford Chance has again pushed emerging markets work to the forefront of its strategy following the relocation of two of its most experienced London partners to Saudi Arabia and Russia, while re-emphasising its desire to see juniors spend time in different jurisdictions.
Nick Munday
London litigation chief Nick Munday and co-head of finance Tim Plews will relocate to Moscow and Riyadh respectively. Part of their remit is to encourage other fee-earners at all levels to think about relocating to further their careers.
The move is an echo of managing partner David Childs’ commitment to a more mobile partnership. In 2007 he said he would expect any associate with partnership ambitions “to have done a stint” overseas.
Plews, who will move to associate firm Al-Jadaan & Partners in the autumn, told The Lawyer that the move “reiterates that there’s increasing potential across the firm for people who want to relocate”.
Senior partner Stuart Popham, who himself spent three years in Singapore prior to making partner, said the move was part of an ongoing strategy.
“It’s a manifestation of a policy approach that we’re encouraging from the most senior partner to the newest trainee,” he said.
Popham confirmed that the magic circle firm would look to increase headcounts at all levels across their offices in the emerging markets.
He added: “You wouldn’t need to be a betting man to see that there’s more economic expansion in the emerging markets than in developed ones.”
Readers' comments (15)
Cutting Edge | 26-Apr-2010 8:33 pm
What a development for the Kingdom.
I guess this is a sign that CC are taking control of the finance practice in Saudi to try and stop the constant loss of lawyers from Al Jadaan.
Interesting to see if a corporate partner will follow.
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Cutting Edge | 26-Apr-2010 8:39 pm
I heard the entire corporate team below partner level changed last year except for one expat. Retention in the finance team isn't much better.
There is a huge disconnect between partners and associates throughout the practice.
Not that clear what Mr Plews is supposed to do about this.
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Envy | 26-Apr-2010 8:42 pm
Al Jadaan must be doing something right because they have won every award going in the last few years and are head and shoulders above the rest. The above comments are petty (no mention of a CC finance partner who to my knowledge has already "stuck it" in Riyadh for 3 years) - but a predictable reaction from people who seem to be playing in Al Jadaan's shadow. Plews deserves to succeed.
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Once Bitten | 26-Apr-2010 8:45 pm
Hey Envy. A man of your obvious intelligence should be able to see that all of the above comments refer to associate retention not partner retention. You are right. Not a single partner has left Al Jadaan.
But lets not forget the headcount below partner. How many associates over the last 3 years or so? Give us the figures please. Tell me while you are at it how many associates over the last three years have made senior associate?
No-one is denying that Al Jadaan wins awards. But what has that to do with the tunnel-vision leadership, hyper-critical environment and lack of Associate development.
Plews may well deserve to succeed and no-one wishes him ill. But the question is whether he will be allowed to succeed. Maybe you have the answer to that too.
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Once Bitten | 26-Apr-2010 8:48 pm
While we wait for Envy to take instructions, we can ponder another fact.
Al Jadaan was formed in 1996 and between then and now not a single associate has made senior associate.
Is there any other law firm in the world which claims to be No. 1 in its jurisdiction ("head and shoulders above the rest" says Envy) and which can boast of such an achievement?
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Seven Sins | 26-Apr-2010 8:52 pm
Hey Envy,
I can tell how many associate have left the firm within the last three years. There were more that 16 associates left the firm out of 19 lawyers!
No one of those lawyers stayed at the firm more than 18 months in total. In fact, some of them run away from the first 6 months.
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Cutting Edge | 27-Apr-2010 8:33 pm
Ben. There is a separate thread on White & Case in Riyadh elsewhere on this website. I would suggest that you post your questions there rather than deflect attention away from this extremely enjoyable discussion about Al Jadaan.
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Seven Sin | 27-Apr-2010 8:35 pm
I do believe that more enjoinments are coming over the next few months at Aljadaan and this is Tim's job to evaluate the situation and give final image to London management rather than Dubai management.
But, the question now is:
Where has the mouse gone!?
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Ben | 27-Apr-2010 8:37 pm
Ah ah, noted...
(While enjoyable, however, this discussion doesn't really explain how Al Jadaan manages to stay on top while bleeding associates and never "making senior associates". I'm curious about that...)
Cheers
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Anonymous | 29-Apr-2010 5:06 am
The only way CC will be able to stop the constant loss of lawyers from Al Jadaan is to loose, or at least control, Al-Jadaan himself. It remains to be seen just how long Mr Plews will be able to stick it in Saudi.
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Once Bitten | 29-Apr-2010 5:11 am
Where to start - the whole Al Jadaan saga would fill three volumes.
Cutting Edge clearly doesn't know Mohammed Al Jadaan. No way will he let CC get any influence in the practice in Saudi Arabia. Like Anonymous, I'd give Tim Plews 6 months before he goes home in total frustration.
As for a corporate partner, everyone knows that the last 3 expat managers on the corporate side didn't manage two years between them. Who'd volunteer for that gig?
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Once Bitten | 29-Apr-2010 5:15 am
It really isn't rocket science how Al Jadaan wins awards. Joint projects with CC, a global giant and one of the largest ME practices.
Who need associates when you can just add a Saudi partner to a CC transaction team.
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Ben | 7-May-2010 5:32 am
As a Saudi associate who used to work previously.....What goes around, comes around.. ....like this beautiful comments....the Saudi associates are paid below market rate compare to other firms in riyadh (and jeddah, shame.....) .....is that how a No. 1 firm in saudi pays associates to stay "head and shoulders above the rest" says Envy....:)
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Anonymous | 11-May-2010 10:03 am
A little birdy told me...
that Clifford Chance's associate firm in Saudi, Al Jadaan, is suffering from something of a retention problem. CC are sending a senior partner out there ostensibly to ramp up their presence in the area. But insiders tell RoF that it won't do anything to stop the flood of fleeing associates?
Envy, Roll on Friday is rolling and we heard no tiny bit of rebuttal from you. It appears Al Jadaan is darn for sure.....or maybe RoF is interviewing you right now?!
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Anonymous | 11-May-2010 10:05 am
Some more facts. Expat turnover in past 12 months now at 90%. Saudi turnover below partner level in past 12 months 60%.
Someone should poll for current associate job satisfaction. On a scale of 1 for happy and 10 for miserable the result would be about a 12.
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