Leading international law firm Clifford Chance announced today that Johan Ysewyn is to join the Firm’s highly rated Antitrust Practice as a Partner in the Brussels office.

Frost Brown Todd LLC is pleased to announce William D. (Bill) Hayes has joined the Environmental Law practice group as a partner in the Cincinnati office. Bill’s practice is focused primarily on air quality issues. He has provided his expertise to manufacturing clients regarding plant expansions and equipment and processing changes, has provided enforcement defense in matters brought by local, state and federal environmental agencies, and advises clients on TSCA compliance matters including nanotechnology and other regulatory developments.

Shearman & Sterling is advising long-time client Charter International plc on the US aspects of its proposed acquisition by Colfax Corporation. The acquisition values Charter’s fully diluted share capital at approximately £1,528 million. It is intended that the acquisition will be implemented by way of a court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement under Jersey law or a takeover offer to Charter shareholders at the election of Colfax. The acquisition will be funded from a combination of proceeds of an equity issue by Colfax, new debt facilities and Colfax’s existing cash resources.

Rajah & Tann LLP, one of Singapore’s leading law firms, today announced that its new office has started operating in Thailand, expanding its presence in the emerging Indochina region.

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. (Ogletree Deakins), one of the nation’s largest labor and employment law firms, continues to add depth and experience to the firm’s Employee Benefits Practice Group in welcoming Benjamin Delancy as a shareholder. Delancy will be based in the firm’s Washington and San Francisco offices. Delancy has more than 30 years of experience focused in sophisticated benefits matters, including extensive experience in executive compensation for public and private companies. Prior to joining Ogletree Deakins, Delancy was a partner at Morgan Lewis where his practice focused primarily on executive compensation, and also included qualified retirement plans, and health and welfare programs.

International law firm Stephenson Harwood has advised Piramal Healthcare in relation to the English law aspects of its acquisition of a strategic equity stake in Indian mobile phone operator, Vodafone Essar Limited (VEL) for $640 million.