Charles Russell Speechlys hails 'defining moment' with US launch
Charles Russell Speechlys has launched in the US, opening offices in New York and Connecticut to establish its first permanent North American presence.
The expansion strengthens the firm's private capital practice and follows recent office launches in Singapore and Milan as it continues its international growth strategy.
Charles Russell Speechlys has launched in the US, opening offices in New York and Connecticut as the private capital specialist continues its international expansion.
The move gives the London-headquartered firm its first permanent North American presence, taking its global office network to 16 locations across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the US.
US expansion
The New York office combines lawyers relocating from London with lateral hires from Withers.
Private client partner Phillip Colasanto and senior counsel Reaz Jafri have joined from the rival private wealth firm, while international private client partner Kurt Rademacher will lead the office. Global head of litigation Stewart Hey and private client partner Sangna Chauhan will relocate from London.
In Connecticut, the firm has recruited a six-partner team from Withers led by tax disputes specialist Shannon Smith.
Global managing partner Simon Ridpath described the US launch as "a defining moment" for the firm.
“The United States is the world's most significant private capital market, and our global clients - families, entrepreneurs and private capital owners whose lives and assets span multiple jurisdictions - have long needed a trusted adviser based here,” he said.
Private capital strategy
The US launch marks the latest step in Charles Russell Speechlys' international expansion strategy, which has focused on growing its private capital offering in key global wealth centres.
The firm opened in Singapore in 2023 and Milan in 2024, while New York gives it a foothold in the world's largest private capital market.
Unlike firms focused on private equity sponsor clients, Charles Russell Speechlys uses "private capital" to describe its work for wealthy individuals, entrepreneurs and family offices whose personal and business interests span jurisdictions.
The move also follows a similar expansion by fellow private wealth specialist Macfarlanes, which opened a representative office in New York earlier this year as UK firms look to strengthen relationships with US-based private capital clients.
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