DWS makes two partner promotions in TMT group

Denton Wilde Sapte (DWS) is mounting a rearguard action to cling on to its dwindling technology, media and telecoms (TMT) practice, with two telecoms associates becoming partners.

It is understood that outgoing chief executive Virginia Glastonbury has indicated to two assistants, believed to be Nick Graham and Scott Singer, that they will be made up expeditiously.

The promotions come after 11 media partners quit for DLA, citing a lack of investment in TMT as a major reason for their defection.

DWS has made up just two partners in TMT in the past three and a half years.

The firm is also suffering departures in other areas. Paris public law partner Philippe Delelis has resigned to join Jones Day in November and one of the few remaining TMT partners, IP and IT specialist John Hull, is believed to be in advanced talks with Eversheds.

Last week Glastonbury announced that she would not be standing for re-election to the chief executive’s post. “I’m beyond the point of tiredness,” she told The Lawyer. “I’ve had a hell of a rollercoaster ride these past few years, with the merger, the redundancy programme, the Asian network [being disbanded] and our strategy review. I’ve just run out of steam.”

As yet, no candidates have indicated their intention to stand at the elections, which are set for the end of this year.