Lovells has hired Simon Atiyah, the last of Garretts' big-name practising partners. The only Andersen Worldwide partner yet to find a new position is ex-managing partner Tony Williams.
A source at Garretts said there was more good news, because the firm's financial projections indicate that existing liabilities can be covered without partners' equity taking a hit.
Atiyah, an investment funds lawyer whose clients include Invesco, Schroders and Lloyds TSB, joins Lovells' five-partner international financial services practice as an equity partner with his Garretts team of four assistants.