Clifford russell

International law firm Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP), has promoted partners Roland Fabian and Russell Clifford (pictured) to its board.

Fabian is managing partner of BLP Germany and part of the Real Estate & Infrastructure team and Clifford is the practice group head of BLP’s global Asset Finance group.

Fabian, who is based in Frankfurt, becomes the first international member of the BLP board. He joined from Linklaters in 2011 to spearhead BLP’s German capability, opening offices in Berlin and Frankfurt in the same year. As a Real Estate and Infrastructure partner, he specialises in advising on cross-border real estate transactions with a focus on real estate related tax issues and has extensive experience of restructuring both German and international real estate.

Clifford is one of the leading practitioners in UK and international structured asset finance and leasing markets. Previously at Allen & Overy, Russell joined BLP in 2009 and has lead the Asset Finance team since November 2010. Since then he has built an international team who advise clients on big ticket transactions from the financing and operation of shipping and other maritime assets to aviation and railway rolling stock.

Commenting on the appointments, BLP Chairman Robert MacGregor said: “Both Russell and Roland will bring valuable skills and experience to the board and will play hugely positive roles in the continued development of our international firm. They have both built successful international businesses and I look forward to working with them on the board.”

In addition to these appointments, BLP has also recently confirmed the appointment of Neville Eisenberg as senior partner from May 1, 2015. These announcements follow BLP’s promotion of five senior associates to the partnership, and the hires of nine laterals since January 2015.