Cravath Swaine & Moore has made a dramatic U-turn on its 62-year-old no-lateral policy with the top New York firm hiring Willkie Farr & Gallagher tax expert Andrew Needham directly into its partnership.

Needham will be the 87th partner at the US firm when he starts in April. The tax partner has advised clients including Zurich Insurance Company, Midamerican Energy Holdings and Teva Pharmaceuticals.