Hogan & Hartson hires third Dorsey partner in a month

Hogan & Hartson has decimated Dorsey & Whitney’s London finance and capital markets capability after poaching their third partner from the firm in the space of a month.

Capital markets and M&A partner John Basnage joins former Dorsey London head Peter Kohl and partner Jeffrey Hurlburt at Hogan.

The trio expect to bring a valuable book of business with them, including clients such as the Carlyle Group, Credit Suisse First Boston, Doughty Hansen and Goldman Sachs.

Basnage told The Lawyer: “We talked to all our clients before we went and they have all been very supportive and even encouraged it.”

Hogan & Hartson’s eight European offices offered the partners a European platform that Dorsey, with its sole European base in London, could not match. “Hogan’s extensive European office network adds a tremendous boost to my practice,” said Basnage.

Basnage’s practice focuses on capital markets work and M&A for investment banks, while Kohl and Hurlburt provide advice on private equity deals for the venture capitalists.

The raid is completed with associate Julie Lasso also joining the team from Dorsey. Hogan’s aggressive strategy has the ultimate aim of doubling the size of the office in the next year. The arrival of Basnage brings the number of partners in London to 15.

Dorsey & Whitney did not return calls for comment.