Pinsent Masons announces promotions and first senior hire of new financial year

Energy and mining expert Akshai Fofaria joined the firm as a partner from Jones Day's well-respected Africa team based in Paris. The move sees him relocate to London but continue to focus on Projects work in the oil and gas and mining sectors across the African continent, particularly on the development side.

Meanwhile, the firm has made up 13 new partners and 12 legal directors.  In keeping with the firm's strategic focus on four global sectors, six individuals with a background in the infrastructure matters have been promoted to partner, while three energy specialists, two financial services experts and two technology partners have also been made up.

Within this group, two individuals from the legacy McGrigors business have been promoted to partner while four were promoted to legal director in the new firm.

Speaking about the promotions, Pinsent Masons’ Managing Partner David Ryan said, “We are pleased to announce our latest round of promotions.  The combined firm will continue to nurture and invest in talent, ensuring that we have the capability to support our clients around the world.  All of our successful candidates should be extremely proud of their achievement."

Speaking about the appointment of Akshai Fofaria, Bob Ruddiman, head of Energy and Natural Resources at Pinsent Masons, said, "We are delighted with Akshai's appointment. His experience in development is a natural fit with our existing capability in the financing and construction sides of major energy projects and his international ambitions sit perfectly with our own. There are very few who have his mix of expertise in oil and gas, nuclear and mining in addition to international contacts across Africa, India, China and France. His pedigree is there for all to see and we are confident that he will be able to help meet increased client demand for this kind of experience."

Akshai Fofaria said, "I am pleased to be joining Pinsent Masons at an exciting time for the firm. The opportunity to work for a firm with a clear commitment to the Energy and Natural Resources sector on a global level was too good to resist, and I look forward to building a practice which will leverage our presence across the UK, Asia and the Gulf."

Partners

Effective from 1st May 2012, the new partner promotions include Edward Stead (Corporate); Hannah Brader (Corporate); Neil Black (Financial Institutions & Human Capital); Nick Stones (Financial Institutions & Human Capital); John Williams (Construction Advisory & Disputes); Shy Jackson (Construction Advisory & Disputes); Sam Boyling (Construction Advisory & Disputes); Kevin Joyce (Construction Advisory & Disputes); Richard Griffiths (Property, Planning & Environmental); Clare Murray (Strategic Business Services) and Richard Twomey (Litigation & Compliance).

Shirley Allen (Projects) and Gillian Frew (Projects) joined Pinsent Masons as new partners from McGrigors on 1st May.

Legal Directors

The firm has also announced the promotion of twelve candidates to the role of Legal Director: Michelle Kershaw (Corporate); Helen Corden (Financial Institutions & Human Capital); Sian Hughes (Construction Advisory & Disputes); Tom Eastwood (Property); Michael Smith (Property); Richard Parkinson (Strategic Business Services); John Skelton (Strategic Business Services) and Chris Wheeler (Litigation & Compliance); Mark McCall (Property) ; Alan Cassels (Financial Institutions & Human Capital); George Gilham (Litigation & Compliance) and Carolyn Miller (Financial Institutions & Human Capital).