Dechert builds Paris corporate team with Morgan Lewis raid

Dechert has beefed up its Paris corporate and securities practice with the hire of Morgan Lewis & Bockius partner Stephan Alamowitch.

Alamowitch, who joined the office last week after two and a half years with Morgan Lewis, has brought three finance associates with him - Adil Guessous, Jelena Vodjevic and Christophe Garcia.

According to Alamowitch, he was attracted to Dechert by the strength of its M&A practice.

"The firm also has a very strong finance practice in London and the US," he added. "I've only been here a few days and already I'm working on the unwinding of a securitisation structure.

"I can do complex work here with people who are used to complex structures."

Alamowitch added that Morgan Lewis's focus on organic growth meant the firm did not attract people with the right expertise for the more complex work.

"Dechert's Paris office has 44 lawyers and there's a plan for global expansion," said Alamowitch.

As part of this growth strategy the firm is looking to further integrate its global offices, with Vodjevic set to spend six months in New York.

Prior to joining Morgan Lewis, Alamowitch spent more than a decade at Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe.