Clifford Chance names Sharis Arnold Pozen as its new Americas Managing Partner

Clifford Chance names Sharis Arnold Pozen as its new Americas Managing Partner

Clifford Chance, a UK Magic Circle law firm, has appointed Sharis Arnold Pozen as its new regional managing partner for the Americas, effective May 1. Pozen, who currently serves as co-chair of Clifford Chance's global antitrust practice, will be the first woman to hold the position. She will be taking over from Evan Cohen, who has led the firm's Americas division for the past decade.

She will be responsible for growing the firm's US platform, which is a key strategic goal for all four global Magic Circle UK law firms as they aim to increase their profitability by expanding into the highly lucrative US market.

Charles Adams, Clifford Chance's global managing partner, announced Pozen's appointment to the leadership team of the firm in the US. "The Americas is a key priority for the firm and the region is awash with opportunities for our clients and people. I have had the privilege of working closely with Sharis in her role as co-chair of the antitrust practice and her rich leadership experience in government, private practice and in-house on the client side will deliver real value in driving our growth strategy," Adams said.

She quit as Vice President of global completion law and policy at General Electric to join Clifford Chance in 2019 as co-chair of its antitrust group. Prior to GE, she served as a partner at Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom and held senior positions the US Department of Justice and the US Federal Trade Commission.

Pozen currently heads the firm's antitrust group from Washington DC alongside Dusseldorf-based partner Marc Besen and advises various clients such as GE, Shell, and Pfizer.

"I am incredibly proud to be appointed to lead our Americas region into what is a very bright future. We are an ambitious team, and I am eager for us to work together to continue our strong momentum from Evan's leadership," Pozen said.

Clifford Chance currently has 360 attorneys including 82 partners spread across its offices in New York, Washington DC, and Sao Paulo.

Evan Cohen, who has been serving as the regional managing partner for the Americas for the past decade, is stepping down from his role and will return to his practice at Clifford Chance. Cohen, who is based in New York, will focus on acquisition and leveraged finance, project finance, syndicated lending, and restructurings. He joined the firm in 1999, coming from Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy.

"It has been an honour to lead our Americas team over the past decade," Cohen said. "It is an exciting time for us in the region and Sharis' energy and experience captures what makes us stand out in the market – I'm confident that Clifford Chance will continue to grow under her leadership."