Manches is to create a dedicated litigation practice following the exit of litigation stars Clive Zietman and Andrew Shaw to Stewarts Law, The Lawyer
can reveal.
Zietman joined Manches in 2004 and has since headed the commercial litigation and arbitration group.
One rival managing partner said his departure was a “massive blow” for Manches, which had built a litigation practice on the premise that Zietman was willing to sue banks for clients.
Zietman and Shaw were most recently instructed to represent 130 Dresdner Kleinwort employees in their quest to recover salaries from their former banking employer.
Manches managing partner Lois Manches said the firm is looking to pool its litigation expertise by bringing together litigation teams from the technology and property practices and combining them with the current commercial litigation practice.
He added: “We’re naturally disappointed that Clive and Andrew don’t wish to be part of our new strategy.”
The firm is now looking to make a number of hires into its litigation practice, starting with former Clyde & Co partner Philip Hooley.
The news comes just weeks after Stewarts Law raided Manches for family partner Debbie Chism (The Lawyer,30 March).
