The partners, Karl Clowry, Conor Downey, Michelle Duncan, Justin Jowitt, Tom O’Riordan, Christian Parker and Charles Roberts, announced their mass walkout on January 14th. They are headed to rival US firm Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker.
Through London firm Lewis Silkin, Cadwalader presented the team with letters before action, alleging that they have breached the confidence terms of their partnership deed.
Under British employment law, Paul Hastings may also be obliged take on more of the Cadwalader associates than originally anticipated. Cadwalader believes all of the associates connected to the departing partners are covered by the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations (TUPE).
There are currently 23 associates in Cadwalader’s London office and it is thought that more than half will follow the team of partners.