London firm Mishcon de Reya has lost seven senior lawyers to international firm Greenberg Traurig ahead of its London float, including six partners specialising in white-collar crime.

Partners Kathryn Garbett, Jo Rickards, Claire Broadbelt, Annabel Thomas, Martin Shobbrook and Hannah Blom-Cooper, together with legal director Matt Hancock, have joined Greenberg Traurig as ‘shareholders’, a role that is similar to partner.

Garbett and Broadbelt will co-chair the civil fraud and business disputes practice at Greenberg Traurig in London, while Rickards will chair the capital's white-collar defence & investigations practice.

Mishcon de Reya

Proposals to press ahead with a public listing of the firm passed a partner vote last month

Source: Alamy

Greenberg's London litigation practice is now made up of 40 fee earners, including nine shareholders.

‘When combined with other recent strategic hires across the firm’s European offices, the timely arrival of Kathryn, Jo, Claire, Annabel, Martin, Hannah, and Matt, delivers on the firm’s strategy of continuing to grow our dynamic London office and our litigation capabilities across Europe,’ said London litigation practice chair Masoud Zabeti.

‘We look forward to working with our new colleagues to exceed client expectations both in terms of managing risks and resolving the global challenges and disputes they face.’

A number of senior lawyers are due to leave Mishcon de Reya ahead of its initial public offering, plans for which passed a partner vote in September.

Earlier this month, it was reported that two other disputes partners are leaving the firm, while Karel Daele, head of the firm’s international arbitration practice, is reportedly poised to join Taylor Wessing.