Quadrant raids 4-5 Gray's for banking trio

Quadrant Chambers has raided 4-5 Gray's Inn Square for a trio of barristers as it ramps up its banking and financial services practice for the expected influx of work following the credit crunch.

The set has recruited derivatives specialist Tom O'Riordan, who, before joining 4-5 Gray's Inn, worked as external counsel for Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft and was the transactional legal department chief at Nomura.

O'Riordan, who was called to the bar in 1992, is being joined by Anthony Dearing, who has also worked for Cadwalader as well as previously holding the role of enforcement counsel for the Financial Services Authority, and Turlough Stone, who was called to the bar three years ago.

Charles Haddon-Cave QC, who brought in the trio to Quadrant, said that this team has unrivalled expertise at the bar in derivatives, securities, capital markets and financial services, and will complement the set's existing banking and financial services practice.

"With the recent banking problems and the credit crunch, the three of them are joining at a good time," said Haddon-Cave. "Tom O'Riordan, for example, has unrivalled expertise in derivatives, which will boost our current practice."

Haddon-Cave explained that Quadrant's banking and finance practice will continue to expand as historically there has been a migration from shipping work towards banking and finance within chambers.