LeBoeufs hires finance specialist

FLEDGLING multinational partnership (MNP) LeBoeuf Lamb Greene & MacRae has boosted its ranks with the signing of Morgan Grenfell International deputy chair David Suratgar.

London-based Suratgar has resigned his appointment as of counsel to San Francisco's Morrison & Foerster and Paris firm Salans Hertzfeld & Heilbronn. He took up a similar post with the new MNP - part of the established New York firm - last week.

A specialist in project fin-ance, Suratgar trained in the UK before moving to the US, where he worked on Wall Street and later with the World Bank. In 1973 he returned to London, establishing and heading Morgan Grenfell's project finance and international advisory services departments.

His experience has included advising governments, central banks and state agencies on cases involving matters such as international privatisation, project finance and external debt management.

Suratgar moved to the post of deputy chair three years ago to develop the bank's international business. He will continue with Morgan Grenfell while working at LeBoeufs.

"Both Salans Hertzfeld & Heilbronn and Morrison & Foerster are excellent firms," said Suratgar. "The problem for me was the need to work with a team of people who were operating from London and who had project finance skills and capabilities.

"I've always maintained a consultant relationship with a law firm since I came back to England from the World Bank and I've gone to LeBoeuf Lamb because it has the critical mass of people here in London who have experience in project finance."

LeBoeufs partner Alan Jones, who joined the MNP from Clifford Chance earlier this year, said Suratgar's appointment continued the firm's plans to expand its international corporate and project finance practices.

The MNP currently includes four partners - three UK-trained lawyers and partner in charge, US insurance law specialist Jeff Johnson.

Further appointments, including lateral hirings for partners, are expected.

"There is a big commitment to building up the London office to focus on developing the practice in the international market," said Jones.

"We have a steady and clear growth plan and we are talking to people all the time because we want to build up an English capability in those areas we are dedicated to here in London."