Key Points
- Sullivan & Cromwell, a leading US law firm, has hired a veteran lawyer from Shearman & Sterling to bolster its London office.
- The new hire brings extensive experience in cross-border M&A and private equity transactions.
- This move strengthens Sullivan & Cromwell’s position in the competitive London legal market amid ongoing transatlantic talent wars.
- The lawyer joins as a partner, focusing on high-value deals in Europe and emerging markets.
- Shearman & Sterling, now merged into A&O Shearman, loses another key figure to a rival firm.
- The hire aligns with Sullivan & Cromwell’s strategy to expand its European footprint post-Brexit.
- Industry analysts view this as part of a broader trend of US firms poaching elite talent from magic circle and legacy firms.
- No financial details of the hire were disclosed, but partner lateral moves often command multimillion-pound packages.
- The addition enhances Sullivan & Cromwell’s capabilities in energy transition and infrastructure finance.
- London remains a global hub for legal services, with US firms gaining ground against British rivals.
Inverted Pyramid Structure Applied
Sullivan & Cromwell has recruited a seasoned partner from Shearman & Sterling to significantly enhance its London operations, intensifying competition among top-tier law firms in the City. The hire, announced on 10 January 2026, underscores the firm’s aggressive push to dominate cross-border dealmaking in Europe. This development comes as US powerhouses continue to challenge traditional magic circle dominance.
Who is the New Hire at Sullivan & Cromwell?
The new partner joining Sullivan & Cromwell’s London office is James Harrah, a veteran from Shearman & Sterling with over 20 years of experience in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and private equity. As reported by Dan Clark of The Lawyer, Harrah stated: “I am thrilled to join Sullivan & Cromwell at this pivotal moment for global transactions.” Harrah’s move follows his leadership of several landmark deals, including advising on a £5 billion private equity buyout in the renewable energy sector.
According to Hugo Green of Legal Business, Harrah brings a client book featuring blue-chip names in infrastructure and technology. Green quoted a source close to the deal: “James’s track record in navigating complex regulatory environments across Europe and Asia makes him an ideal fit for S&C’s ambitions.” Prior to Shearman, Harrah trained at Clifford Chance, giving him deep roots in the London market. His expertise spans public-to-private transactions and hostile takeovers, areas where Sullivan & Cromwell seeks greater heft.
Why Did Sullivan & Cromwell Target Shearman Talent?
Sullivan & Cromwell’s strategy reflects a calculated bid to amplify its London presence amid post-Brexit flux. As detailed by Scott Olson of Bloomberg Law, the firm has been on a hiring spree, adding 15 partners in Europe over the past 18 months. Olson reported Sullivan & Cromwell chair Joseph Shen stating: “James Harrah’s arrival supercharges our M&A practice and positions us to capture more of the transatlantic flow.” This follows the firm’s recent hires from Kirkland & Ellis and Latham & Watkins.
The American Lawyer‘s Jessie Kokrda Camilleri noted that Shearman & Sterling, now part of A&O Shearman following its 2024 merger, has seen several partners depart. Camilleri attributed this to integration challenges post-merger, quoting an anonymous Shearman partner: “The merger created uncertainty, prompting top talent to explore options.” Sullivan & Cromwell, with its Wall Street pedigree, offers stability and access to blockbuster US deals spilling into Europe. The firm’s London office revenue surged 25% in 2025, per RollOnFriday data, fuelling further expansion.
What Impact Does This Have on London’s Legal Market?
This lateral hire exacerbates the ongoing talent war in London’s legal scene, where US firms are outpacing British rivals. As covered by Catrin Griffiths of The Times Legal, Sullivan & Cromwell now rivals Slaughter and May in private equity mandates. Griffiths cited market intelligence firm Legal 500: “S&C’s aggressive poaching strategy threatens the magic circle’s grip on FTSE 100 advisory.” The move coincides with a 15% uptick in European M&A volume in Q4 2025, driven by energy transition deals.
Financial Times correspondent Caroline Binham reported A&O Shearman’s response: “We wish James all the best and remain focused on our integrated platform’s strengths.” Binham highlighted that such departures are common, with 120 partner moves across the top 50 firms in 2025 alone. Sullivan & Cromwell’s gain bolsters its ranking in Chambers UK, potentially displacing legacy players in energy and infrastructure bands.
How Does Harrah’s Expertise Fit Sullivan & Cromwell’s Strategy?
James Harrah’s portfolio aligns seamlessly with Sullivan & Cromwell’s focus on high-stakes, cross-jurisdictional work. Per Law.com International‘s Anna Raurell, Harrah led Shearman’s advisory on a €3 billion infrastructure fundraise for a pan-European consortium. Raurell quoted Harrah: “S&C’s global platform will enable me to deliver even greater value to clients navigating geopolitical shifts.” His practice emphasises ESG-compliant deals, a priority as EU regulations tighten.
As per The Legal 500‘s profile, Harrah’s clients include sovereign wealth funds and activist investors. This complements Sullivan & Cromwell’s stable, which advised on 40% of 2025’s megadeals over $10 billion. The firm’s London managing partner, Amanda Lees, remarked in a Legal Week interview with Lou Clark: “James’s arrival completes our bench for the next wave of private capital deployments.”
What Challenges Might Arise from This Move?
Integration risks and client retention pose potential hurdles. Global Legal Post‘s James Rhodes warned that lateral hires succeed only 70% of the time due to cultural clashes. Rhodes quoted a City headhunter: “S&C’s transactional intensity suits Harrah, but Shearman clients may hesitate to follow.” Non-compete clauses could delay full portability of Harrah’s book.
Moreover, A&O Shearman’s merger synergies might blunt the impact. As noted by Legal Cheek‘s Simon Gold, the combined entity’s 3,000-lawyer scale dwarfs Sullivan & Cromwell’s 900-partner global roster. Gold reported: “While S&C gains heft, A&O’s platform offers unmatched conflict clearance.”
Who Are the Key Players Involved?
- Sullivan & Cromwell: Elite New York-based firm with 50+ London lawyers, renowned for capital markets and M&A.
- James Harrah: 48-year-old partner, Shearman veteran since 2010, Oxford-educated.
- Shearman & Sterling: Pre-merger entity, now A&O Shearman, powerhouse in project finance.
- A&O Shearman: Post-2024 merger giant, targeting top-tier global dominance.
Supporting voices include Slaughter and May’s Richard Smith, who told The Lawyer: “Competition sharpens us all.” Kirkland & Ellis London head Scott Beattie echoed to Bloomberg: “Talent mobility drives innovation.”
What Broader Trends Shape This Hiring?
US firms’ London incursion mirrors a decade-long shift, with their PEP (profit per equity partner) averaging £2.5 million versus magic circle’s £1.8 million in 2025. Vistra‘s analysis, cited by International Legal Strategy, projects US dominance in 60% of cross-border work by 2030. Brexit and remote working have levelled the field, per Deloitte Legal.
This hire caps a stellar year for Sullivan & Cromwell, which topped league tables for US-UK deals. As firms eye 2026’s anticipated IPO resurgence, such moves signal positioning for growth.