Sullivan & Cromwell Makes Strategic Statement with Rare London Lateral Hire of A&O Shearman Partner
In a highly notable move within the legal sector, U.S. firm Sullivan & Cromwell has made a rare lateral hire in London, appointing Barnabas Reynolds, a senior partner from A&O Shearman. Reynolds, who co-headed the global financial services regulatory group and led the financial institutions sector team, brings decades of experience and a formidable reputation in the financial regulatory space.
A recognised Legal 500 Hall of Famer for non-contentious financial services, Reynolds was a key figure at legacy Shearman & Sterling, where he built and led the firm’s global financial services practice. Following Shearman’s merger with Allen & Overy in 2023, he continued in a similar leadership role at the newly formed A&O Shearman.
This lateral move is highly unusual for Sullivan & Cromwell, particularly in London, where the firm has traditionally focused on organic growth. Reynolds’ arrival suggests a strategic recalibration, likely aimed at enhancing the firm’s regulatory capabilities amid a shifting and increasingly complex global financial environment.
His addition is also expected to strengthen Sullivan & Cromwell’s presence in post-Brexit Europe, where financial institutions are navigating heightened regulatory scrutiny and jurisdictional divergence. Reynolds’ expertise and client relationships could significantly bolster the firm’s cross-border advisory work in this domain.
For A&O Shearman, the departure of such a senior figure shortly after the merger may raise questions about post-combination integration and long-term retention of key partners. Nonetheless, the firm remains well resourced in the financial regulatory space.
Reynolds’ move marks one of the most high-profile lateral transfers in London’s legal market this year and underscores Sullivan & Cromwell’s intent to remain competitive at the very highest levels of financial regulatory counsel.
