Skadden appoints Kate McGill Davies as its commercial arbitration practice

Skadden appoints Kate McGill Davies as its commercial arbitration practice

Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom has appointed Kate McGill Davies QC, who is one of the Magic Circle firm's rising stars.

This move comes as a response to the recent loss of its London arbitration partner, David Herlihy, to Allen & Overy.

Davies was earlier working with Allen & Overy as a Partner Davies joined A&O from Wilmer Hale as a counsel in 2013, was made a partner in 2016 and became a QC in this year's silk round. Her expertise in commercial arbitration and investor-state dispute settlement will benefit Skadden's global arbitration practice as well as maintaining its investment in solicitor advocacy, Hong Kong-based partner Daniel Gal having also made silk this year.

Her arrival will not only help compensate for the loss of Herlihy, but also that of former arbitration and disputes co-head Karyl Nairn QC, who retired from the partnership this year.

"Kate's advocacy skills are a perfect fit with our leading practice," said global co-head of disputes David Kavanagh QC. "Our clients will benefit from her experience of working on complex cross-border disputes, across numerous sectors such as life sciences and TMT. Following the retirement of Karyl Nairn QC early this year, Kate will play a significant role in the continued success of our practice."

Davies, who was regarded by A&O as among its next generation of arbitral leaders, is the second arbitration partner to leave A&O's flagship London team this year following the departure last month of business and human rights specialist Suzanne Spears to set up her own boutique.

The firm also lost an experienced Belgian partner last month when Werner Eyskens was signed up by another US rival, Crowell & Moring.

The London team, which is co-led by Mark Levy QC and James Freeman, can, however, point to Herlihy'a high-profile hire as well as the promotion to the partnership this year of Guled Yusuf.

A spokesperson said: "We continue to have a first-class practice in London, with Mark Levy QC and James Freeman and which has been bolstered by the recent hire of David Herlihy from Skadden and the promotion of Guled Yusuf."