11 October – LAWFUEL – The Law News Network – As US Regional Managing Partner, Joe has overall responsibility for the firm’s US practice, which comprises more than 80 fee earners working from offices in Chicago and New York. He also sits on the firm’s International Executive, which has responsibility for developing Lovells’ strategy across its practice areas and regions and for the full range of business driving issues.
Joe’s reappointment comes at a time when Lovells is reinforcing its commitment to the US market. The firm aims, through judicious expansion, to cement its reputation and profile in the US as a leading international practice. In keeping with this expansion, Lovells will significantly increase its New York office space with a move to 590 Madison Avenue early in 2006.
Over the last three years, Lovells’ US practice has grown considerably. Existing practices in banking, business restructuring and insolvency, capital markets, insurance and reinsurance, complex commercial litigation, international arbitration and tax will continue to be developed to enhance the firm’s international capability and its ability to compete effectively for premium work in the US.
Joe McCullough (49) has been a partner at Lovells since 1995, when he joined the firm from Sidley & Austin. Joe heads the firm’s US Insurance and Reinsurance Practice and for two decades has devoted his practice to representing insurance and reinsurance companies. He has acted as counsel to insurers and reinsurers in dozens of arbitrations and court proceedings across the US, Asia, Europe and Bermuda.
Joe’s reappointment follows a consultation with the Partnership led by Lovells’ Managing Partner, David Harris, and a vote by the partnership which closed on 28 September 2005.
Commenting on the outcome, David Harris said:
“The firm’s US practice is a key part of our international development, strategically and operationally. Joe’s reappointment is testament to his outstanding leadership of the practice. During his three years at the helm, Joe’s team has grown the practice effectively, in terms of legal talent as well as profitability. I look forward to working with him through this next phase in the expansion of the practice.”
Joe McCullough added:
“This is an incredibly exciting time for Lovells generally and, in particular, for the firm’s US region. I am grateful to my partners for their support and look forward to working with our excellent US team to enhance our practice and profile.
Notes for editor
Joe McCullough studied at Georgetown University and Northwestern University School of Law, later receiving a Masters in European Law from the University of Ghent, Belgium, and participating in the International Business Legal Studies programme at Exeter University, England.
Lovells’ United States offices are located in New York (established 1977) and Chicago (established 1995). Lovells has developed a US law capability in areas that enhance the firm’s international practice, and currently has more than 65 lawyers in the US, covering banking, business restructuring and insolvency, capital markets, insurance and reinsurance, litigation and tax.
In recent years the US practice has won the following awards:
* The International Who’s Who of Insurance and Reinsurance Lawyers: named number one firm in the world for reinsurance legal expertise in 2004.
* International Association for Continuing Legal Education’s (ACLEA): for the firm’s in-house ‘TransAct’ training programme. ‘Professional Excellence’ award for ‘Best Programme’ is the top award in that category and is one of only 16 annual awards granted to ACLEA members representing more than 300 organisations.
