Stewarts Law to launch offices in New York and Delaware

The firm, which is projecting turnover of £32m for the 2011-12 financial year, isto open offices in New York and Wilmington, Delaware, on next month (1 May), following the hires of securities litigators David Straite and Ralph Sianni, who will lead the US practice.

Both Straite and Sianni – who were formerly at Grant & Eisenhofer – will join Stewarts as US partners and executive committee members of the US LLP.

The two offices will initially focus on securities litigation, antitrust and commercial litigation, though the firm intends to add other practices later on.

In a statement, Stewart’s managing partner – and chairman of the US executive committee - John Cahill, said: “The opening of a US practice is an important strategic step for us. Expansion to the US will increase our global reach and international litigation capability.

“Our US practice will bridge a cultural gap for UK and European clients litigating in the US. We will continue to work closely with those US firms who have a proven track record in our chosen specialisations. We plan to remain litigation-only, highly specialist, and conflict free.”

Straite added: “Stewarts Law is an excellent fit and will enable Ralph and I to deliver outstanding litigation capability in the US for both UK and European institutional investor and corporate clients, we will provide a new voice for UK and European clients in the US litigation process.”

Stewarts already has a consulting office in New York – in addition to offices in London and Leeds – which it will move out of when it opens its new office in the City.

In July last year it was revealed that the firm’s equity partners had been asked to each pump in £50,000  to fund the firm’s rapid and continuing expansion. The cash injection meant the firm was able to merge with rival litigation boutique Masseys in July 2010 (18 July 2011).

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