Quinn Emanuel taps Milbank for financial disputes partner in London

Quinn Emanuel has added to its London bench with the hire of financial disputes and investigations partner William Charles from Milbank.

Charles brings a broad practice spanning commercial litigation and regulatory investigations, with a focus on disputes involving PE firms, credit funds, asset managers and financial institutions.

He started his career at Slaughter and May before moving to Milbank in 2014, where he made partner.

His arrival follows Quinn’s recruitment of Andrew Savage from McDermott in November and comes shortly after the firm announced its annual promotions round, which saw 12 lawyers made up to partner globally, with one promotion in London.

With Charles joining, the firm’s London office now numbers 32 partners, alongside 73 associates and seven of counsel.

Bigger than the Magic Circle

Senior figures at Quinn Emanuel have been clear that London remains a priority market.

Richard East, the firm’s London senior partner, said the hires of Charles and Savage would play a key role in pushing the office towards its ambition of becoming "the number one litigation firm in the City", noting that its London disputes revenues already exceed those of the UK practices at the Magic Circle firms.

Founder and chair John Quinn described Charles as a "great fit" for the firm’s fast-expanding London practice, pointing to his track record on major disputes as the kind of profile Quinn Emanuel continues to target as it builds out its City presence.