Shearman tax partner defects to Watson Farley in NY

Watson Farley & Williams’ New York office has raided Shearman & Sterling for a new partner for the second time in 12 months.

Stephen Millman, a senior partner specialising in tax and leasing, moves to Watson Farley’s New York office today (24 May). On joining he will be reunited with former Shearman partner John Imhof, who left the New York giant for Watson Farley last June.

The move follows Shearman’s decision to de-emphasise its leasing practice, which was effectively split up in January.

Millman said: “Watson Farley is a player in the US leasing market. I wanted to be in a place where I could have the corporate support for my leasing practice.”

The hire is a boost to Watson Farley’s structured finance practice, as the Bank of New York is among Millman’s chief clients.

The team now boasts three partners, including Patricia Landoli, who last year joined from Allen & Overy.