Ropes & Gray Enhances Derivatives Capabilities for Hedge Funds Clients with Addition of London Counsel

October 14, 2014
Attorneys:

The London office of international law firm Ropes & Gray has announced the appointment of counsel Anna Lawry to the firm’s hedge funds group. Ms. Lawry will focus her practice on derivatives and will enhance the firm’s current capabilities in this area to serve clients in the U.S., London and across the globe.

Ms. Lawry, who moves from her position as a senior associate at magic circle firm Slaughter and May, will be based in the firm’s London office and work closely with the asset management teams in Europe, the United States and Asia. In 1997, Ms. Lawry qualified in to Wilde Sapte’s banking and finance team. She moved to Slaughter and May in 2000, where she amassed over 10 years’ experience in derivatives.

In addition to her well-established derivatives practice, Ms. Lawry brings with her a wealth of experience in a broad range of finance work, including commodities trading and structured finance. She has advised primarily on large transactions, both cross-border and pan-European, as well as regulatory changes in the world of derivatives. She also boasts litigation experience in these areas. 

Ms. Lawry’s client base is wide ranging and includes financial institutions, large corporations, investment managers and pension funds. 

Mike Goetz, managing partner of Ropes & Gray’s London office, commented on the appointment:

“We are looking forward to Anna settling in to our London office and building our derivatives and hedge funds practices here. We are dedicated to serving our clients in all areas that they require.  Growing a derivatives capability here will not only allow us to service our internationally focussed client base across the U.S., UK and Asia but also allow us to have advisers available across all three zones.”

He added:

“We have made some significant hires over the past 12 months and will continue to do so.  Our new premises, which we will be relocating to this time next year, will allow for this exponential growth to continue.”

Leigh Fraser, co-head of the firm’s hedge funds practice, said:

“Strategically, Anna’s extensive derivatives, structured finance and trading experience will complement our existing client offering of derivatives regulatory and transactional advice in the hedge fund, asset management, finance and special situations space. Our goal is to serve our clients in relation to all of their legal needs across three continents, and Anna’s appointment cements our offering in Europe.”