Clydes goes on hiring spree as Camerons aviation team arrives

Clyde & Co’s burgeoning aviation and aerospace group has been further consolidated with the imminent arrival of a team from CMS Cameron McKenna’s aviation group. Further lawyers are also joining from Clifford Chance and Shadbolt & Co.

Clydes’ main coup is the hire of Camerons’ head of aviation Tim Brymer to be its own new department head.

Brymer, who has been an aviation partner at Camerons for 13 years, brings significant expertise on aviation regulatory matters to Clydes. He said that Camerons’ aviation practice has been struggling against a shortage of senior staff, particularly since the retirement several years ago of its other aviation partners, Clive Browne and Mark Wadsworth.

“The [Camerons] group has continued to grow, but not at partner level. I needed more support at the senior level,” said Brymer. He has acted for some 40 airlines and several major airline insurers, including AIG and Swiss Re, as well as Lloyd’s syndicates.

Camerons managing partner Dick Tyler said: “After Brymer’s departure we still have specialists in aviation insurance, aviation financing and leasing. I wouldn’t say our aviation insurance work is unimportant, I would say it’s a niche market in the main.”

Clydes has also hired Tim Unmack from Shadbolt & Co. He was also senior partner at Beaumont & Son, the longest standing aviation practice, for more than a decade. Unmack joins as a consultant. He has particular expertise in Russia and Central Asia.

Clifford Chance senior assistant Gavin Hill, an aviation finance specialist, joined Clydes last Monday as a partner from the magic circle firm’s Frankfurt office.

Another joiner, Gareth Lewis, a senior Camerons assistant, is expected to be promoted to the Clydes’ partnership later this year.

The newcomers join Clydes’ existing London aviation partners Colin Franke and Jane Andrewartha. The firm also has a Paris aviation practice headed by Gerard Honig.