Simmons lures CC banking associate

Simmons & Simmons has continued its strategy of ­hiring magic circle associates as partners with the addition of Marc Thorley from Clifford Chance.

Thorley, who is currently on secondment to Barclays, will join the Simmons ­partnership this autumn, leaving Clifford Chance after eight and a half years.

Simmons litigation chief Colin ;Passmore ;hailed ­Thorley as a “pretty good catch”, adding that he will be a great addition to the firm’s banking litigation team.

Asked about Simmons’ targeting of senior associates, Passmore said there is a lot of good talent at magic circle firms who are finding it difficult to make partner.

“It’s easier to attract ­people that are in this type of situation,” added Passmore.
Between ;May ;2007 and ;the ;end ;of ;April this year seven of the 13 Simmons partner hires were ­associates, including Alexander Shepherd from Linklaters.

In ;the ;past ;month ­Simmons expanded its China disputes group with the appointment of Allen & Overy consultant James Kwan as a partner.