Charles Russell Speechlys has announced a significant round of internal promotions effective 1 May 2026, reaffirming its commitment to nurturing talent and strengthening its international footprint. In total, the firm has promoted nine new Partners, six Legal Directors and eighteen Senior Associates, with appointments spanning multiple jurisdictions and practice areas.
Commenting on the announcement, Senior Partner Bart Peerless highlighted how these 33 promotions reflect the firm’s intention to build a diverse talent pipeline capable of supporting client ambitions, while reinforcing its global strategy in the private capital sector and across key international wealth hubs.
Among the new Partners is Giovanni Angelini for Global Private Client in Italy, a practitioner focused on civil law for private clients, including wealth planning, succession, and the management of trusts and corporate structures—also in cross?border contexts—as well as real estate transactions. In France, Sarah Bergougnoux and Alix Taquet have been promoted in Tax, both advising entrepreneurs, families and investors on complex tax matters, including wealth structuring, asset transfers, international mobility and tax litigation. Also in France, Auberi Foy becomes Partner in Employment, bringing extensive experience in French employment law for international groups and in handling internal investigations and complex HR issues.
In the United Kingdom, Rachel Warren is promoted Partner in Commercial Dispute Resolution, specialising in financial crime and regulatory matters, while Gabriele Colombaioni joins the Partnership in International Private Client, focusing on Italian tax and cross?border issues for high?net?worth individuals. Isobel Edwards (McManus) and Mary Perham are promoted in UK Private Client, both advising families and entrepreneurs on succession planning and the management of complex trusts. Completing the group of new Partners is Ed Robinson in Corporate, with experience in M&A, private equity and corporate finance, including projects in Sub?Saharan Africa and structures such as Family Investment Companies.
As for the Legal Director promotions, Chris Busaileh steps into the role in Construction, Engineering and Projects, working across both transactional and contentious matters in the construction sector. Sarah Moore is promoted in Private Wealth Disputes, bringing strong experience in international trust and complex estate litigation. Lucy Wicksteed joins Commercial Dispute Resolution with a focus on high?value disputes in the financial, technology and energy sectors. Beth Cunniffe is promoted in Corporate Restructuring and Insolvency, advising a broad range of stakeholders in restructuring and insolvency scenarios. Olivia Gray assumes the role in Intellectual Property Litigation, specialising in the protection and enforcement of IP rights before major UK and European courts. Camilla Hart completes the group as Legal Director in Commercial Dispute Resolution, with expertise in international constitutional and administrative law and experience before the Privy Council.
The Senior Associate promotions span multiple offices and practices: in Italy, Daniele Mologni and Alessandro Leardini in Tax; in Luxembourg, Jorge Aleman Juarez in Corporate; in France, Jeanne Rochmann in Corporate; in the United Arab Emirates, Mo Nawash in Corporate; and in the United Kingdom, Ayman Shehata and Iwan Thomas in Corporate, Camilla Bunce and Jane Burrows in Construction, Engineering and Projects, Kelly Arnold and Ben Butterworth in Real Estate, David Gregory in Real Estate Disputes, Sydney Forster in Dev Sales, Jamie Rhodes in Corporate Restructuring and Insolvency, Jessie Davies in Private Wealth Disputes, Daniel McDonagh in Commercial Dispute Resolution, Jack Carter in International Private Client and Thomas Denny in UK Private Client.
In parallel, the firm has also announced new Head of Group appointments, also effective 1 May 2026. Robert Lundie Smith will lead Intellectual Property Litigation within the Litigation and Dispute Resolution division, while within the Private Client division Jamie Kennaugh will head Family and Naomi Nettleton will lead Private Property. Finally, within the Construction, Real Estate & Disputes division, Louise Ward has been appointed Head of Real Estate.
Overall, this promotion cycle underscores a clear strategy of organic growth and the strengthening of internal capabilities, with a strong international and multidisciplinary orientation aligned with the evolving needs of the firm’s global client base.
Charles Russell Speechlys is an international law firm with a strong focus on advising private clients, businesses and families, offering expertise in tax, corporate, real estate and wealth planning matters.
