CYK hires partners Jon Felce and Natalie Todd in anticipation of a busy 2022

31 January 2022

Dispute resolution boutique Cooke, Young and Keidan (CYK) brings two new lawyers into its partnership and gives an update on what the coming years will bring for the firm.

Natalie Todd and Jon Felce join from PCB Byrne.  They both have almost 20 years of experience specialising in complex multi-jurisdictional commercial dispute resolution and will start working at the firm from 1 April 2022.

Both Jon and Natalie are recognised by the legal directories as rising stars and have particular expertise in cases involving civil fraud, enforcement and asset recovery (involving both commercial and sovereign debt), and they have been heavily involved in the development of an international community for next generation asset recovery practitioners.  They are also regularly instructed in contractual, partnership, shareholder, joint venture, banking and insolvency disputes, and are recommended by the legal directories for their innovation, tactical acumen and client-facing skills.  They have worked successfully on disputes in a variety of sectors for a wide range of clients including sovereigns, institutions, corporate clients, high-net-worth individuals and insolvency practitioners.

CYK also expects to make further partner appointments from both within the firm and laterally to support its expansion in key strategic growth areas.

From 1 April 2022 founding partner Philip Young will be moving into a consultancy role focused on business development and, at the end of January, Managing Partner Robert Coffey will retire from the firm for personal reasons.

Sinead O’Callaghan, the acting managing partner at CYK, said:

“Natalie and Jon are two fantastic hires for us.  Their practice areas are complementary to CYK – they both have significant experience in the Firm’s key practice areas, and have worked cross-border in multiple jurisdictions, including Russia and the CIS.  At CYK, we’re known for handling complex, high-profile cases and Natalie and Jon’s experience fits our approach perfectly.  They are both very entrepreneurial and I know they are going to fit in well with CYK’s culture.

“We are expecting a busy year, with a predicted uptick in disputes in Financial Services, Fraud, Enforcement/Asset Recovery, Private Wealth, Arbitration and Technology, particularly in the crypto space, and so these will be key areas of focus for our firm, and areas where we expect to see the most growth. We will be focussed on the bedding down of the new partners, the development of the wider team and in the coming years we will be making further strategic appointments.

“This is an exciting time for CYK as we continue to grow. Our co-founder Philip Young has taken the decision to step down from the partnership and we are very pleased he will still be working exclusively with the firm on a consultancy basis, focused on business development. 

We are of course all very sorry that Robert is leaving us.  We wish him well and would like to thank him for his contribution to the firm during his tenure as managing partner.”

Commenting on his change in role, Philip Young, co-founding partner of CYK, said:

“CYK is striding into a bold new era. The firm is very excited about Natalie and Jon joining – it is a step change. For my part, since 2009, it has been a privilege to work at CYK and to see the firm prosper. While I will be stepping down as a full-time fee earner, not least because I wish to take a mid-career break and do some travelling with my family, I shall be continuing as a consultant with the firm, and I look forward to CYK’s growth in the years ahead.”

Robert Coffey, departing Managing Partner, said:

“It has been a privilege to lead CYK for the past four years, through an exciting period of considerable growth and transition. The firm has ambitious plans in place, and I have no doubt that it will continue to consolidate its position as one of the finest commercial dispute resolution boutiques.”

Sinead will act as managing partner for the firm, following Robert Coffey’s decision to retire.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

For more information please contact Adele Baxby Meehan at Kysen PR on adele.baxbymeehan@kysen.com or 07788 889843