Covington & Burling LLP is pleased to announce that Kristian Wiggert has joined the firm’s European corporate group as a partner in London.

Mr. Wiggert is a US-qualified lawyer with extensive experience in cross-border financings, mergers and acquisitions, private equity and securities. His practice covers a wide range of industries, with a particular emphasis in the life sciences, media and technology sectors. Mr. Wiggert’s securities experience includes representations of both companies and investors in growth-stage and public equity offerings and public and private debt placements. He also has particular expertise counselling investors and funds with respect to their US securities and investment company responsibilities.

Mr. Wiggert’s appointment strengthens the firm’s US transactional capabilities in London and underscores the firm’s commitment to growing its European corporate practice, following the addition of London-based partners Paul Claydon, Natalie Diep, James Gubbins and James Halstead in May 2011.

“We are seeing strong corporate activity in many industries, including life sciences and technology, as businesses seem to be taking advantage of the current economic climate to improve their strategic positions,” said Mike Kingston, head of Covington’s European corporate group. “Kristian will strengthen our corporate team and broaden the range of services we provide in corporate transactions with a US element.”

Peter Laveran, a US corporate partner resident in the London office, commented: “Kristian’s appointment will be welcomed by many of our clients who look to Covington for advice on complex cross-border transactions, be it M&A or capital markets. With dual US and UK capabilities in London, we are ideally positioned to help businesses navigate this complex environment.”

Mr. Wiggert added: “I am excited by Covington’s strategic vision for growth of the international practice out of London, and look forward to joining the expanding team at the firm.”

Mr. Wiggert is a graduate of Columbia University and Harvard Law School. He is a member of the State Bars of California and New York and has practised in London for over ten years.