Linklaters has strengthened its US presence by making key hires, including Kristina Trauger, a capital markets and M&A partner who joined from Proskauer. Trauger, who co-headed Proskauer's capital markets group for three years, previously worked at Shearman & Sterling with George Casey and Heiko Schiwek, both of whom moved to Linklaters in January 2024. These hires are part of Linklaters' broader strategy to expand its corporate offering in New York.
Further reinforcing its US team, Linklaters also recruited M&A partner Kristiina Lescouflair and antitrust litigator Joshua Soven from Paul Weiss. Lescouflair's departure is among several litigation exits from Paul Weiss, while Soven's move strengthens Linklaters' Washington office. These additions follow George Casey's appointment as Linklaters' first chairman of the Americas and Tom McGrath's reappointment as Americas managing partner in June.
The firm's commitment to US growth was reiterated with the extension of senior partner Aedamar Comiskey's and firmwide managing partner Paul Lewis's terms until 2029. Paul Weiss, meanwhile, has been recognized for its extensive work with FIFA, particularly in managing the fallout from a 2015 US Department of Justice corruption prosecution, serving as its lawyer of first resort for high-stakes matters and handling the $201 million in recovered funds. The firm also acts as the official law firm for the New York New Jersey World Cup 2026 Host Committee.
