Dechert snares Dewey capital markets pair as losses escalate
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Dewey & LeBoeuf is set to lose four partners in London and the Middle East including City capital markets rainmaker Camille Abousleiman, in the latest string of departures from the embattled US firm.
Abousleiman, one of the firm’s highest-profile City partners, is leaving the firm to join Dechert’s London office alongside fellow capital markets partner Louise Roman Bernstein.
They are set to be joined by United Arab Emirates corporate partner duo Gavin Watson and Chris Sioufi, who are understood to be leaving to join a rival firm yet to be confirmed. A source close to Dewey has indicated that their destination could also be Dechert, which currently does not have an office in the Middle East.
The departures bring the number of Dewey partners to leave the firm in 2012 to 58.
Abousleiman joined legacy LeBoeuf Lamb Greene & MacRae in 2007 from Dewey Ballantine, which ended up merging with his former firm less than a year later (17 January 2007). He is a key figure for the firm’s Lebanese and emerging markets practice.
The exits follow the resignation of Mark Davis and Russell Van Praagh to join McDermott Will & Emery in London, reported earlier today (16 April 2012).
Bernstein, Watson and Sioufi declined to comment. Abousleiman, Dewey and Dechert were unavailable for comment.
* See here for more on Dewey and the 2007 merger.
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Readers' comments (18)
Anonymous | 16-Apr-2012 4:52 pm
Put a fork in it ... Dewey's done.
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Anonymous | 16-Apr-2012 5:11 pm
This is never going to happen. Camille's move is likely to be motivated by money. Good luck to him but thats career suicide. Dechert doesn't have a Middle East strategy and Gavin and Chris will not defect to such a firm. Wishful thinking on Dechert's part. It's a sad state of affairs for Dewey & LeBoeuf.
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Blithering Fool | 16-Apr-2012 6:00 pm
Anonymous | 16-Apr-2012 5:11 pm is right about Abousleiman and Dechert - Gavin is a good guy and will hopefully land on his feet in the UAE. Its unfortunate for the individuals involved but the writing has been on the wall for at least 3 years.
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Anonymous | 16-Apr-2012 6:24 pm
Having worked opposite them on deals, I can say Dechert will have their hands full. However, these two London partners are a force to be reckoned with. Very tough negotiators and some of the best operators in emerging markets capitals markets at the moment.
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Dayglo Dave | 16-Apr-2012 6:36 pm
This is very sad. Like watching a train crash. A lot of people are going to get hurt by all this. We must now have reached melting point; the point when major clients become seriously concerned about giving a firm new work.
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Anonymous | 17-Apr-2012 7:44 am
Maybe this is LaBouef leaving Dewey and not a capitulation?
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Prepare for Rescue Mission | 17-Apr-2012 10:38 am
I think the London market is going to have to prepare itself for a new rescue mission. Not on the scale of Halliwells, but even so, there will be a lot of junior lawyers and staff needing a home very soon. It behoves the firms here to help if they can, especially if there are any trainees at the D&L office in London.
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Anonymous | 17-Apr-2012 2:03 pm
This will be the 3rd firm in 4 years for Gavin Watson. All was not well at the UAE office anyway, with Gavin loosing the title of managing partner already. Dechert will have there hands full with this one. Taking the whole office it seems now, for the second time. Also very annoying for clients.
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Anonymous | 18-Apr-2012 7:41 am
"Gavin and Chris will not defect to such a firm. "
Whoops, they just did! lolz
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Anonymous | 18-Apr-2012 10:03 am
Come on, spell Dewey & LeBoeuf right
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