Legal powerhouse Paul Weiss is stepping up its international game by launching its first office in continental Europe, setting up shop in Brussels, Belgium. Central to this new venture are two fresh hires – Ross Ferguson, previously a partner with Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, and Richard Pepper, a partner from leading UK firm Macfarlanes. As seasoned antitrust partners, their expertise will form the bedrock of Paul Weiss' new outpost.
Ferguson and Pepper's move to Paul Weiss is part of a bigger strategy that focuses on the firm expanding its non-U.S. business. The firm has not yet released the exact location and date for the office launch.
With notable clients such as Blackstone Infrastructure Partners and KKR on his portfolio, former Simpson Thacher & Bartlett partner Ross Ferguson will now be operating from Paul Weiss' Brussels office, according to a firm statement. Richard Pepper will divide his practice between Paul Weiss' offices in London and Brussels. Prior to his tenure at Macfarlanes, Pepper served as counsel at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton.
On the back of its success in London, overseen by London co-head Neel Sachdev, Paul Weiss has made considerable strides in establishing a significant private equity presence, a turnaround from the time the firm was left with just two partners.
Courtesy and professional regard from both Simpson Thacher & Bartlett and Macfarlanes followed Ferguson and Pepper’s move to Paul Weiss. Both firms wished their former partners the best in their new roles and expressed gratitude for their contributions.
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