LeBoeuf snaps up Weil Gotshal man

LeBoeuf Lamb Greene & MacRae is taking on projects finance partner Bruce Johnston from Weil Gotshal & Manges following the latter's decision to close its London project finance practice.
Johnston, who was head of international project finance at Weil Gotshal, will head up the project finance team at LeBoeuf. He will take between three and five associates with him.
Johnston has a broad range of experience in a number of sectors including infrastructure, electricity, oil and gas, telecoms, transportation and waste and water.
He said he had chosen LeBoeufs above a number of other firms because of its reputation in the field.
"The firm is well-known in the energy and financial services industries and is recognised as a major player in international project finance for the energy industry," he said.
His departure leaves Bill Rubin, who joined Weil Gotshal from the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development, as the sole project finance partner.
Weil Gotshal has no project finance practice elsewhere and the decision to axe the London practice came from the US.
However, according to Johnston, it was a busy and profitable office. His work has included helping Enron on its European energy projects and advising the bidders on the Greek Tour Road project.
At LeBoeuf he will be responsible for building the firm's project finance practice and further hiring is expected.