White & Case hit by Paris raid

French independent firm Veil Jourde has launched a real estate practice, raiding White & Case’s Paris office for a three-lawyer team.

Litigation partner Emmanuel Rosenfeld is leading the move to Veil Jourde, taking associate Christophe Bouchez and of counsel Véronique Prévôt-Leygonie, who joins as partner.

The hires are a coup for Veil Jourde, which is rebuilding after a series of raids by US firms.

In 2006, a total of 13 lawyers defected to Gibson Dunn & Crutcher and Mayer Brown Rowe & Maw.

In 2005 Veil lost rated corporate partner Patrick Jaïs to Fried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson.

Rosenfeld specializes in litigation advice to real estate clients. Prévôt-Leygonie’s practice focuses on real estate transactions, with Bouchez providing contentious banking, real estate and M&A expertise.

A White & Case spokesperson said: "Emmanuel decided to join Veil Jourde for personal reasons and we wish him well... We have another three other partners and six associates in real estate. The fact that Emmanuel is leaving does not affect our desire to grow in this area."