Skadden in shake-up of London groups

US firm Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom has launched a number of ­practice groups in London in a bid to insulate its ­business against changing market conditions.

The four new groups, which will utilise lawyers from existing practices in London, are tax controversy, financial services, investment funds ;and ;corporate ­investigations.

European ;managing ­partner Bruce Buck said: “Our lawyers have always worked together across practice areas, but formalising new groups will hopefully help clients understand our full range of services more clearly.”

Tax partner Tom Sanders is leading the tax controversy practice and, working alongside litigation partners Karyl Nairn and Bruce Macaulay, will target tax ­dispute work.

The investment funds team, co-headed by private equity partner Allan Murray-Jones and tax partner James Anderson, ;will ;target ­European fund managers and emerging markets fund clients. Until now the London office focused on private equity and hedge funds.

The firm is also planning to increase its focus on financial services regulatory work, having hired counsel Ned Swan from Simmons & Simmons last year.

Washington DC partner Gary ;DiBianco ;has ­transferred to London to launch the corporate ­investigations group.