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Case Studies...
The City arm of West Coast giant Morrison & Foerster (MoFo) has made its first lateral partner hire in two years with the recruitment of Arnold & Porter’s highly–rated European bio-tech head.
Julian Thurston, one of the UK’s top life sciences specialists, joined MoFo on Tuesday (19 April [2004]) after five years with the Washington DC-based firm.
…Thurston told Legal Week: ‘MoFo has a presence in the world’s major life sciences centres, particularly the Bay Area of San Francisco and San Diego and Tokyo. This, combined with the firm’s transactional and patent capability, makes it a highly attractive proposition for any bio-tech lawyer.
MoFo aims to expand signficantly in London and Continental Europe and this is one hell of an opportunity for me.’”
As a first instruction from a new client, searching for a leader for their life-sciences practice, an area in which the firm has an excellent global brand, this assignment was an exciting one for us.
Early interest was shown by probably the highest profile partner in the sector. Frustratingly, a trip to the US, earlier than normal in the process, went badly and the target terminated discussions! It took several weeks to convince the target to recommence discussions but a momentum developed and a second trip to the States proceeded well. Negotiations began in earnest and after substantive issues had been resolved, a deal was signed.
