Mayer Brown continues London lateral push with MoFo capital markets duo

Mayer Brown has continued its London hiring push with the addition of two long-serving MoFo capital markets lawyers.

Scott Ashton has joined the US firm as a partner, while Brian Bates has joined as senior counsel. Ashton spent 21 years at MoFo, including a decade as a partner, while Bates was at the firm for nearly 25 years.

The pair specialise in advising companies on debt and equity securities offerings, with a particular focus on cross-border private placements by non-US businesses to US institutional investors and pension funds.

Mayer Brown said Ashton and Bates have advised issuers on around 30% of cross-border US private placement debt issuance in recent years, “making them among the most prolific practitioners in this sector.”

The firm said institutional debt private placements are becoming an increasingly important source of financing, particularly for infrastructure and energy projects.

London hiring continues

The hires add to a busy period of recruitment for Mayer Brown as it builds out its London practice, including a broader push around private capital.

Earlier this month, the firm hired a three-partner leveraged finance and high-yield team from Baker McKenzie. Rob Mathews, David Becker and Ben Bierwirth joined to strengthen Mayer Brown's financing offering for private equity deals.

That followed the arrival of finance partner James Clarke from Baker McKenzie in August.

And the recruitment has extended beyond London. This week Mayer Brown also hired international trade partner Pablo Bentes and his team from Baker McKenzie in Brussels.