Linklaters scores major Paul Weiss coup in New York

Linklaters has landed two senior litigators from Paul Weiss in New York, in a major statement of intent as the Magic Circle firm continues to build its US practice.

Christopher Boehning joins after more than 30 years at Paul Weiss as chair of Linklaters' global sports practice and US strategic disputes practice. Daniel Levi arrives after more than 25 years at the firm as a partner in litigation, arbitration and investigations.

Boehning has served as lead counsel to FIFA, with the pair representing football's governing body on various matters including those relating to the 2026 World Cup.

Sports in focus

The hires come as top law firms race to strengthen their sports offerings amid growing private capital investment in the sector.

Just this week, Paul Hastings launched a dedicated global sports practice, appointing recent Slaughter and May recruit Mark Zerdin as practice chair alongside hires including the former general counsel of NFL team the Baltimore Ravens. Paul Weiss launched its own sports practice last year.

Alongside their sports work, Boehning and Levi are experienced commercial litigators with clients spanning the financial services, pharmaceutical and insurance sectors.

US expansion

The hires are another coup for Linklaters as it seeks to compete more aggressively with New York's elite law firms.

The firm has steadily expanded its US platform through a series of marquee lateral hires, most notably recruiting M&A rainmaker George Casey and a team of dealmakers from legacy firm Shearman & Sterling in early 2024. Casey was later appointed chairman of the Americas.

Earlier this year, Linklaters also hired A&O Shearman's Maria Zaino as chief operating officer of its Americas business and announced the expansion of its New York office footprint by more than 50% to over 150,000 square feet.

Senior partner Aedamar Comiskey said the recruitment of Boehning and Levi represented "a further significant step" in the firm's strategy of attracting “top talent” in all its markets.

Casey said the hires are “a clear signal of the scale of our ambition in the US.”

“They strengthen our offering at a time when clients are looking for elite capability across practices, and build on the momentum we have created,” he added.