White & Case UBS relationship partner Rachel Hatfield has left the firm after becoming disaffected with its strategy.
White & Case UBS relationship partner Rachel Hatfield has left the firm after becoming disaffected with its strategy.
Banking and capital markets partner Hatfield has announced her departure internally and is due to leave the firm in early April.
Earlier this year The Lawyer reported that White & Case had embarked on a strategic review that will result in its partnership being scaled back (16 March).
A source close to the firm said: “A lot of people are very unhappy with the lack of direction at the firm. I think many partners are evaluating their position and options. It’s not surprising that Rachel has decided to move on.”
Hatfield, who has been a crucial part of the firm’s relationship with UBS and JPMorgan, has not made any decisions on her next move.
Hatfield joined White & Case from US rival Weil Gotshal & Manges in 2000.
The exodus of partners leaving White & Case has begun. Expect many of the partners of White & Case to start leaving the firm like “rats jumping off a sinking ship”!
Any firm which goes from all out expansion in a bull market to a policy of rapid scaling back in a bear market appears to lack any long term strategic direction.