Washington, D.C., October 24, 2005 – LAWFUEL – The Law News Network – Baker & McKenzie LLP announced today that Richard Dean and Jonathan Cahn, the leading partners of Coudert’s CIS practice, have joined the Firm’s Global M&A and Energy Practices as Partners.
They bring extensive experience in the oil and gas industry and the CIS region. Both were previously the managing partners of Coudert’s Moscow office, which Mr. Dean opened in 1988. Mr. Cahn founded Coudert’s Almaty office, the hub of Coudert’s energy and natural resources practice in Central Asia.
Mr. Dean has many years of experience in Russian law, and had managed Coudert’s CIS practice since he pioneered the firm’s entry into Russia. He focuses his practice on corporate transactions, including mergers & acquisitions, foreign direct investment and joint ventures. He also advises in corporate compliance and investigations, particularly relating to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Mr. Cahn focuses his practice on clients investing in Russia and Central Asia’s petroleum and energy sectors. He has advised on numerous exploration and production agreements, including PSAs, as well as the construction and financing of transportation and downstream infrastructure.
Commenting on the new additions, David P. Hackett , Baker & McKenzie’s North American Managing Partner, said, “The outstanding reputation of these lawyers and their extensive experience in advising major international players in the global oil and gas industry further strengthens the position of our existing practice in the CIS and North America. Their knowledge in the energy sector in the CIS as well as their focus on cross-border mergers & acquisitions will significantly enhance our capabilities, with greater practice integration for the benefit of our global clients.”
John Conroy, Chairman of Baker & McKenzie’s Executive Committee, said, “We are extremely pleased to welcome Rich and Jonathan to Baker & McKenzie. They have a well-established reputation in the CIS region, including its important oil and gas industry. Rich and Jonathan are two of the most highly regarded lawyers who are active in the Russia and Central Asia markets. As with their New York colleagues from Coudert, they represent precisely the caliber of talent we desire as we continue to expand our strategic practice and industry areas.”
The recruitment of this additional talent from Coudert comes approximately five weeks after Baker & McKenzie announced that it would acquire substantially all of Coudert’s flagship office in New York, more than doubling the size of its New York office with the addition of approximately 70 partners and other legal staff.
