McGrigors rocked by loss of QC and partner

McGrigors’ London office has suffered a dual blow, with one banking and finance partner quitting and barrister Jonathan Fisher QC returning to chambers after just six months at the firm.

SJ Berwin has hired banking and finance partner Stuart Brinkworth, who starts with the firm on 19 March.

In July last year The Lawyer revealed that Fisher was joining McGrigors’ tax litigation and regulatory team in September 2006 from 18 Red Lion Court, with a view to requalifying as a solicitor. He quit the firm last month and has returned to the bar at 23 Essex Street.

A leveraged and acquisition finance specialist, Brinkworth was made partner at McGrigors last year after joining from Ashurst.

SJ Berwin head of finance Gillian Smith said: “Stuart’s appointment underlines our strategic commitment to grow our leveraged finance capability and builds upon the recent hire of fellow acquisition finance partner Karl Woolley.”

A McGrigors spokesperson wished the pair good luck and said the firm hoped to continue working with Fisher.