Dewey raids Bryan Cave to rebuild depleted employment group

10 March 2010 | By Matt Byrne

Sarah Linton, a Bryan Cave partner who was formerly head of the firm’s UK employment practice, joined Dewey today as head of the London employment group.

Linton advises on all aspects of employment law, including termination agreements, disputes and employee representation issues as well as business-related immigration law.

Dewey chairman Steve Davis (pictured) said: “London’s the firm’s second-largest office and offers a full service to UK and international clients. Employment law is an integral part of this offering for our clients, and Sarah brings great skills and experience in this area.”

Davis’s comments contrast with those of Matthew Howse, Dewey’s former employment group head, who left the firm last week for Morgan Lewis (4 March 2010) highlighting “the opportunity to join a firm where the employment practice is right at the core”.

“There’s an absolute commitment to employment at Dewey in London,” countered Linton. “The firm prides itself on being a full-service firm and employment’s recognised as being essential. Is it as essential at Dewey as insurance? Probably not. But I’m more than happy at the prospect of being here.”

Linton added that one of the lawyers who was due to leave Dewey with Howse, Lindsay Boreham, ultimately stayed at the firm.

“We’re also looking to hire,” added Linton.

Linton is understood to have joined Dewey just 10 days after initially being approached by the US firm.

Bryan Cave was not available for comment.