Simmons & Simmons

Simmons & Simmons
LLP
Industry Law
Founded London (1896)
Headquarters London, with 20 other offices worldwide
Products Legal advice
Number of employees
 over 1,500[1]
Website www.simmons-simmons.com

Simmons & Simmons is an international legal practice with over 1,500 people and 21 offices located in major business and financial centres throughout Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Its largest office is located in CityPoint, off Moorgate in London, where almost half its legal staff are based.

The firm undertakes significant cross-border and highly complex matters and transactions alongside work in local markets. It delivers services from across its corporate, dispute resolution, employment and financial markets departments, and it has a particular focus on work in financial institutions, asset management & investment funds, and in the life sciences and technology, media & telecommunications (TMT) sectors. It also focuses on the energy & infrastructure market, in particular through its international projects and construction teams.[2] In the run up to the UK decision to leave the European Union, the firm launched a microsite that considers the legal implications of this decision and key issues for businesses.[3]

The current senior partner is Colin Passmore, and the managing partner is Jeremy Hoyland. The firm was the highest ranked law firm on the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index for six years before being awarded Star Performer status in December 2014 [4] and Global Star Performer status in January 2016.[5] The firm also features in The Times Top 50 Employers for Women, a list of UK organisations leading the way in gender equality in the workplace. The firm and its lawyers receive regular recognition in independent legal directories and awards for the practices and sectors on which it focuses.[6]

Simmons & Simmons has spent over 25 years building a collection of art from modern British and international artists. It has a policy of supporting young artists at the beginning of their careers by acquiring significant work. The offices in London are home to several works by Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin.[7]

Private Eye and The Guardian revealed that Edward Troup, executive chair of Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs since April 2016, was a former partner with Simmons & Simmons, whose clients included the Blairmore Holdings, Inc., the Panama-registered fund created by Ian Cameron, David Cameron's father.[8][9] Papers obtained by the Süddeutsche Zeitung and the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists reveal Simmons & Simmons' work with offshore companies and major overseas property owners, including an investment company run on behalf of Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah Al Thani (then the foreign minister for Qatar), while Troup was its senior tax partner.[10] The Papers also reveal that Simmons & Simmons worked until 2003 as director and agent for a company in the Virgin Islands called Chale Ltd., which owned properties in Park Place, Piccadilly, and Rex Place in Mayfair. The company also allegedly advised Blairmore on moving its location away from Panama.[10]

References

  1. ↑ Simmons & Simmons facts and figures
  2. ↑ Chambers Student Guide
  3. ↑ "Brexit microsite"
  4. ↑ Stonewall Star Performers
  5. ↑
  6. ↑ Awards & Accolades
  7. ↑ Art Collection
  8. ↑ "New Troup movements at HMRC". Private Eye (1413). Archived from the original on March 21, 2016. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  9. ↑ "HMRC chief was partner at law firm that acted for Cameron offshore fund". The Guardian. April 11, 2016. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  10. 1 2 "Troup Manoeuvres". Private Eye (1416). 15 April 2016. p. 8.
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