McGowanNew York’s legal elite this week reaffirmed its challenge to the top City firms as Shearman & Sterling secured a magic circle partner to launch its UK tax practice, while Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom raided Lovells for its first senior banking hire.

Allen & Overy (A&O) partner Michael McGowan resigned from the firm on Monday (19 November) to join Shearmans’ London office, becoming only the third partner to leave the City giant’s London base for a rival.