Lawyer Monthly - October 2021 Edition

LAWYER MOVES María José Menendez, Ashurst’s CEMEA corporate transactions head and leader of its corporate team in Spain, has joined the firm’s board. Ashurst global chair Karen Davies stated that Menendez’s appointment will help to drive continued global success for the firm. “[Menendez’s] expertise, leadership and insight will play a critical role in our continuing global success and in helping us to fully capitalise on all of the fantastic opportunities ahead for Ashurst and our clients,” Davies said. Menendez has specialist expertise in M&A matters, commercial contracts and joint ventures. She also has experience in the financial services sector, commercial arbitration and insurance, having played a part in a number of deals in the Spanish insurance industry over the past two decades. Prior to 2019, Menendez was managing partner at the firm’s Madrid office. She is also Band 1 in Chambers for insurance work and Band 2 for corporate work. “ I look forward to contributing to the firm's future strategic decision making and working with the board and executive team to deliver on our ambitious plans,” Menendez said in a statement. With Menendez’s appointment, 40% of Ashurst board members are female, up from 30%. Ashurst CEMEACorporate Transactions Head Appointed to Board Former European commissioner Phil Hogan has joined DLA Piper as a senior strategic and political advisor at its Brussels branch. Hogan was the European commissioner for agriculture and rural development from 2014 and 2019 before becoming the European commissioner for trade. He resigned from this position in August 2020. He also held a seat and various high-level offices within the Irish parliament for 25 years. DLA Piper stated that the addition of Hogan will strengthen the firm’s capabilities in government affairs and global advisory. It added that he would be tasked with leading a team of policy, legal and sectoral experts and offering a "holistic" perspective on regulatory, political and corporate risk management. “Global businesses are operating in increasingly challenging environments around the world and this will only increase over the coming years,” Hogan said in a statement on his appointment. “Their ability to understand and adapt to international public policy and societal trends will make the difference between success and failure and DLA Piper’s commitment to providing advice in this area is compelling.” DLA Piper announced that Hogan started work during the same month as his hiring. Former EUCommissioner Joins DLAPiper inAdvisory Role 11 OCT 2021 | WWW.LAWYER-MONTHLY.COM