Ropes defections continue as funds partner leaves firm

Ropes & Gray partner Michelle Moran has become the latest lawyer to leave the US firm’s London office.

Funds partner Moran is joining K&L Gates’ investment management, hedge funds and alternative investments practice.

She joined Ropes as a partner in 2013 from Dechert’s financial services group in London and Dublin.

She was formerly in-house at Invesco for eight years, where she was head of legal for the UK and Ireland.

Moran advises European and US clients on the establishment and management of retail and investment funds in the UK, Ireland, Luxembourg and Jersey.

Clients include Pacific Management Company, Providence Equity, 3i and Cenkos Security.

Moran joins a three-partner investment management team in K&L Gates’ London office – alongside Natalie Boyd, Andrew Massey and Philip Morgan.

Ropes & Gray yesterday announced this year’s promotions round, with two London lawyers made up in hedge funds and banking.

Ropes’ London office has been rocked by a series of defections this year, starting with the departure of former City senior partner Maurice Allen to DLA Piper. Mark Wesseldine joined Wheeler to King & Spalding, while restructuring partner James Douglas started at Linklaters.

Chris McGarry also joined White & Case’s finance group, with Kirkland picking up a series of partners globally including funds lawyer Anand Damodaran and a five-partner team from the investigations practice in London, the US and Hong Kong.