Simmons loses team of seven

SIMMONS & Simmons is closing its immigration department following the loss of its entire team to Kingsley Napley this week.

The highly regarded team, which includes partner Hilary Belchak, four assistants and two secretaries, left Simmons & Simmons on Friday and began work at Kingsley Napley today (Monday).

Belchak says her team wants to be a major part of a small firm, as opposed to a small part of a large firm.

William Dawson, employment department managing partner at Simmons & Simmons, says the team is "relocating" because the firm is focusing on its core business.

Simmons will refer all its immigration work to Kingsley Napley. Dawson describes it as a win-win situation.

The team's move is the latest in a long line of departures for Simmons, which has lost 16 partners in the last 13 months.



see Dickinson profile, p15