Robert Nichols, a highly regarded government contracts lawyer, is joining Covington & Burling to co-chair and expand the firm’s government contracts practice group.

McGuireWoods LLP announced today that Christina Egan, former deputy chief assistant United States attorney in Chicago, has joined the firm as a partner in its Government, Regulatory and Criminal Investigations Department (GRCI). Egan will focus her practice on representing companies and individuals in matters dealing with criminal and civil investigations, by the government as well as by federal and state regulators.

Ashurst has advised leading Middle East jewellery manufacturer and jewellery and watch retailer Damas International Limited (Damas) on the US$445m proposed recommended cash bid by Mannai Corporation and EFG Hermes for the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Damas.

The global law firm Jones Day has announced that Jeffrey J. Bresch has joined the Pittsburgh Office as a partner in the Business and Tort Litigation (USA) Practice. He joins Jones Day from Reed Smith, where he was partner in the trial group. Mr. Bresch’s significant and diverse practice includes energy, intellectual property/trade secrets, and general commercial litigation, among many others. As first chair counsel, he has tried both bench and jury trials to successful verdict in a wide array of matters throughout the United States.

​King & Wood Mallesons has advised CHAMP Private Equity on their sale of the International Energy Services group to McAleese.

DLA Piper today announces the appointment of Prakash (PK) Paran to the firm’s London office as a partner in the Corporate group and member of the global Insurance and Reinsurance Sector Group, along with Roger Loo and Melanie James as counsel. The group joins DLA Piper from Dewey & LeBoeuf.

SNR Denton announced today that John R. Fernandez, former head of the United States Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration, has joined the firm to direct innovation initiatives designed to broaden the array of services offered to clients.