SJ movers and shakers

Linklaters' managing partner elect

Linklaters' partnership board has completed its consultation process to select the next firm-wide managing partner and has indicated Gideon Moore as its recommended candidate.

A vote to ratify the appointment will take place at the firm's partner's conference in London on 17 November.

Robert Elliott, the chairman and senior partner, said: 'The board's recommendation of Gideon Moore as firm-wide managing partner designate comes after an incredibly positive and constructive process involving all high-calibre candidates, who demonstrated clear and compelling visions.

'Having now reached a decision, we have every confidence that Gideon will prove an outstanding managing partner and look forward to our upcoming conference to bring together firm-wide support, upon which the next phase of the firm's development will be built.'

The firm has also announced that restructuring and insolvency lawyer Margot Schonholtz has been elected as a partner in the firm's global restructuring and insolvency practice, based in New York.

Schonholtz, who joins from Willkie Farr & Gallagher, is the second high-profile partner to join Linklaters' New York office this month, following Douglas Tween, who joined its global competition/anti-trust practice.

A new dawn at DAC Beachcroft

Virginia Clegg and David Pollitt have officially begun their new roles, as senior partner and managing partner respectively, at DAC Beachcroft.

Clegg takes over the senior partner role from Simon Hodson, while Pollitt replaces the outgoing Paul Murray. Their appointments, which were confirmed after an election process during the summer, carry a five-year term.

Clegg was previously regional senior partner for Leeds, while Pollitt was previously sector head for insurance and chairman of the firm's claims solutions group.

Slaughter and May advise on Rwanda banking giant

Slaughter and May is advising Atlas Mara on its subscription for shares in Banque Populaire du Rwanda (BPR), and the subsequent merger of Atlas Mara's wholly owned subsidiary BRD Commercial Bank Ltd (BRDC) with BPR.

The transaction is subject to customary conditions and local regulatory approval and is expected to complete by the end of the year.

Following completion, it is intended that BRDC will be merged with BPR to create Rwanda's second largest bank by assets, with Atlas Mara retaining a majority interest in the enlarged BPR entity.

The legal team is led by corporate and commercial partners Richard Smith and Robert Innes, who are supported by associates Natalie Cook and Jack Gray. The team also includes tax partner Gareth Miles, who is supported by associate Homyar Pahlan.

DLA Piper announce new Netherlands managing partner

DLA Piper has appointed Paul Hopman as country managing partner in the Netherlands, taking over from Richard Fens.

Hopman has been with the firm for 15 years with a practice focused on cross-border banking litigation, particularly the resolution of disputes between financial institutions and their retail and wholesale customers.

As country managing partner, Hopman is to focus on the development of the firm's staff in Amsterdam and its local and international clients.

DLA Piper has also appointed Okko Behrends to strengthen and grow its finance and projects practice in Frankfurt. Behrends joins from Latham Watkins.

Gateley forms sporting partnership

Gateley and the Sport and Recreation Alliance have announced a new corporate partnership.

The partnership will see Gateley become the main legal provider for the Alliance, an umbrella organisation for the governing and representative bodies of sport and recreation in the UK, representing 320 members, including the FA and UK Athletics.

Commenting on the partnership, John Burns, head of sports at the firm, said: 'Our team is already a member of the legal panel framework for UK sports governing bodies. We recognise the vital role that the Alliance plays within sport and we are excited at the prospect of getting more involved with the wide range of work they do.'

Fieldfisher shows that tech matters

Fieldfisher has announced the appointment of two new technology partners to its Manchester office with the hiring of Rob Sheldon and Sam Jardine.

Sheldon joins from DWF, where he was a partner and joint head of privacy for the Manchester office, while Jardine, a partner and head of commercial and technology at Watson Burton, will join in January 2016.

Baker Botts lures climate change specialist

Baker Botts has announced that Christopher Norton, a lawyer specialising in environment and climate change, has joined the firm's London office as special counsel.

Prior to joining Baker Botts, Norton was a partner with Baker & McKenzie and, more recently, Hogan Lovells.

From recruitment to law

City firm Carter Lemon Camerons (CLC) has welcomed property specialist Ed Zneimer to its team.

Zneimer has experience of both residential and commercial property real estate transactions. Prior to training as a solicitor, he enjoyed a successful career in the recruitment sector as a business owner and director, providing consultancy and recruitment solutions to organisations across the technology and service sectors.

Fladgate announces new immigration partner

Fladgate has revealed the appointment of immigration partner Sarah Gogan, who joins the firm from Mishcon de Reya.

Gogan has over 15 years' experience of advising businesses and ultra-high-net-worth individuals and their families on a range of immigration matters which often require bespoke solutions. Her work covers investors, entrepreneurs, exceptional applications, including those for settlement and nationality, rights under European law, and family-related applications.

Hyphen Law director wins Downing Street prize

Hyphen Law's Christine Bunting has won the prime minister's top volunteering award at a Downing Street reception for her work with Cerebra.

The director at the specialist Court of Protection firm is the 381st winner of David Cameron's 'Points of Light' award, which recognises outstanding individual volunteers - people who are making a change in their community and inspiring others

The prestigious event marked the launch of the newly formed 'London Minds' division of Cerebra, which was formed to raise awareness of the charity's work: helping to improve the lives of children and young people with neurological conditions through research and education, and directly supporting children, their families, and carers in the capital.

7 KBW poaches commercial litigation barrister

7 KBW has announced that Michael Ryan, formerly of 4 New Square, will be joining chambers with effect from 9 November 2015.

The commercial litigation and arbitration barrister has acted in a number of leading cases, including Cattles Ltd v PriceWaterhouseCoopers, the largest auditors negligence case to date, and the Apex Global Management v Global Torch, Re FiCall litigation, including the appeal to the Supreme Court.

Gavin Kealey QC, the head of chambers, said: 'We are absolutely delighted to welcome Michael as a member of 7 King's Bench Walk. The arrival of Michael will enhance and broaden the established commercial expertise of the set. It is a pleasure and a privilege that he has decided to move here.'