Kirkland & Ellis has hired a Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom partner duo in its New York office.
David Fox and Daniel Wolf have joined Kirkland’s New York corporate group. While at Skadden Fox and Wolf led a team advising BHP Billiton on the US aspects of its failed bid to acquire Rio Tinto.
Thomas Yannucci, chair of Kirkland’s management committee, said: “These highly talented and experienced attorneys will enhance Kirkland’s already strong and growing M&A group.”
The departures are unusual for Skadden, which rarely suffers partner defections.
The New York elite firm last lost a partner in December last year when Sao Paulo partner Jonathan Bisgaier defected to Brazilian investment banking firm Banking and Trading Group (BTG) (10 December).
This year the firm hired Shearman & Sterling partner Dick Aldrich to bolster its Sao Paolo office (16 February).
A Skadden spokesperson said: “We wish Daniel and David well in their new endeavour to help develop Kirkland & Ellis’ M&A practice.”
