Sept 5 (Reuters) – Rohan Weerasinghe, who retired as Citigroup’s longtime general counsel at the end of 2021, is heading back to his old law firm, Shearman & Sterling, as it plans to merge with London-founded firm Allen & Overy.
Shearman said Tuesday that Weerasinghe rejoined the New York-founded firm as an of counsel. He previously practiced at Shearman for 35 years, including seven years leading the firm as its senior partner before departing for Citigroup in 2012.
Shearman and its larger counterpart Allen & Overy in May announced their proposed merger, which they said would create a firm with about 3,900 lawyers in 49 offices and combined global revenues of about $3.4 billion. A partner vote on the deal is expected in October.
Weerasinghe said the planned merger was a motivating factor for returning to Shearman after taking time off to travel, spend time with family and advise on other matters after retiring from Citi. It is a “really exciting opportunity” to be part of what will be one of the largest firms globally, he said.
He said he will work with leaders at Shearman — and later the combined firm — on developing client relationships and advising clients’ CEOs, boards and other executives at a senior level.
Prior to cementing the proposed merger, Shearman had lost partners in a series of individual and group departures. The firm has also seen a few lawyers leave following the merger announcement.
Shearman last month added Alejandro Gordano from Linklaters as a capital markets partner in the firm’s Latin America group, based in New York.
Allen & Overy recently tapped a new leader after global managing partner Gareth Price unexpectedly stepped down in July. Khalid Garousha, the firm’s regional managing partner in the Middle East and Turkey, began Sept. 1 in the interim role for eight months.
Reporting by Sara Merken
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Source: reuters.com
