Ex-Deacons defector quits White & Case for HK firm

One of the White & Case lawyers who was part of the team that was embroiled in a lengthy court battle over its departure from Deacons has now quit the US firm.

Litigation partner Robin Darton, who joined White & Case from Deacons in 2002, is leaving the firm to join four-partner Hong Kong-based firm Tanner De Witt. It is understood that Darton has not yet agreed a leaving date with White & Case.

Darton joined White & Case with former Deacons’ insolvency and restructuring partners Mark Fairbairn and Edward Cairns and corporate partner Jeremy Leifer.

White & Case lost out in the bitter court battle started by Deacons after the US firm recruited the team in mid-2002 (first revealed on www.thelawyer.com, 24 October 2003).

Deacons settled the litigation last October, just two weeks before the appeal hearing was due to start (first revealed on www.thelawyer.com, 25 October 2004).

White & Case confirmed Darton’s resignation but declined to comment further. Tanner De Witt was unavailable for comment.