Vinson & Elkins lands top finance partner

US-qualified Peter Gaines was on both the European and global steering committees for Baker & McKenzie's project finance practice. Before moving there in 1995 he had been a partner at Mayer Brown & Platt since 1982.
Vinson & Elkins has a strong projects practice and in London Gaines will be the firm's 30th lawyer.

		"Peter will bring us structured finance and acquisition finance capabilities" John LeMaster, Vinson & Elkins

London administrative partner John LaMaster said: "We've a strong projects practice firm-wide, but historically most of our London practice has been on the sponsor side. Peter brings more lender-side work, as well as structured finance and acquisition finance capabilities.
"That will fit well with our New York office - we've always had a goal of developing more synergies between the two offices."
Gaines's clients include a variety of banks and financial institutions.
LaMaster said: "He's very well connected within the finance community - we expect that he'll help us consolidate our relationships with our clients where our contacts are different to his."
At the start of this year Vinson & Elkins hired Hammond Suddards Edge dispute resolution partner Stephen York.