It is difficult to imagine a more sideways move than Simon Glee-son’s jump from Allen & Overy (A&O) to Clifford Chance (CC) last month. Both firms have strong financial regulatory practices and act for similar clients. In fact, the two teams are even located near to each other at Canary Wharf.
Even accounting for A&O’s recent departures, magic circle laterals are rare. The last move of this kind was also between these two practices, when CC senior associate Matthew Huggett led an investment funds team of six associates to A&O in 2004.
