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published JANUARY 20, 2010

Clifford Chance strengthens US firm with addition of new litigation partner

Leading international law firm Clifford Chance announced today that William E. Wallace III has joined the firm as a partner in the US Litigation & Dispute Resolution practice. He joins Clifford Chance from Milbank Tweed Hadley McCloy LLP, where he was a senior partner. Wallace will lead the US Corporate and Financial Services Litigation Group and will be based in the Firm's Washington, DC office. Wallace is a highly regarded litigator with significant trial experience. His practice concentrates on complex litigation with an emphasis on commercial disputes, insolvency and fraud litigation – an area where Clifford Chance's US Litigation team was recently recognized by the Financial Times for its deft handling of a Swiss money-laundering case involving Brazilian public officials. Wallace also has strong relationships in the REIT industry, where Clifford Chance's US practice is highly ranked nationally. Additionally, Wallace brings a strong record in trade secret and related litigation, and will work alongside former Federal Trade Commission General Counsel Bill Blumenthal, who joined Clifford Chance as Chairman of the US Antitrust practice last year. "Bill's background and expertise clearly supports our strategic focus," said Juan Morillo, who leads Clifford Chance's US Litigation practice. "His experience and success make him ideally suited to lead the firm's US Corporate and Financial Services Litigation Group, which is focused on high stakes commercial disputes expected to go to trial. At the same time, he has a number of attractive corporate relationships that provide us with new opportunities, both in litigation and other practice areas." "We tightened our US Litigation focus last year to concentrate on those areas where we're most competitive and, importantly, can leverage our unique cross-border capabilities," said Craig Medwick, Clifford Chance's Regional Managing Partner of the Americas. "Our US Litigation team is extremely busy and successful on several fronts. Bill's arrival is another indication that we're committed to the strategic growth of our Litigation practice in the US." "I am very pleased to welcome someone of Bill's reputation and experience to the firm," said Jeremy Sandelson, Global Head of Clifford Chance's Litigation & Dispute Resolution practice. "A strong US practice is an essential element of our global Litigation strategy. We have an outstanding team of partners working internationally across the firm and we will continue to build on that core group. Bill is an excellent addition to the team, and I very much look forward to working with him." "I am excited about the many opportunities that come with joining a leading international firm," said Wallace. "Clifford Chance has an unparalleled global network, and I look forward to working with the excellent lawyers we have in place in New York and Washington, as well as the firm's attorneys around the world." Before joining Milbank in 2001, Wallace was head of global litigation for Morgan, Lewis & Bockius. Wallace also worked for the US Department of Justice (Strike Force Against Organized Crime) in Boston, Massachusetts, for the US Attorneys Office in Miami, Florida, and clerked for a US District Court Judge in Miami, Florida.