In brief: Kirkland’s Ruth Knox moves to Paul Hastings to lead ESG practice

Ruth Knox, a former partner in Kirkland and Ellis’s ESG and Impact practice, has moved to Paul Hastings. She is a partner and takes on the role of global co-chair of the firm’s ESG & Sustainable Finance practice.

Other co-chairs of the practice at Paul Hastings are partners Tara Giunta and Jon Drimmer. The practice is undergoing a rebrand: it was previously called the ESG Risk, Strategy & Compliance practice, a source close to the firm told New Private Markets.

London-based Knox joined Kirkland and Ellis in 2021 after 11 years at Linklaters, including eight years in Linklaters’ Environment and Climate Change practice.

Kirkland and Ellis recruited Ariel Vita Giumarelli, a former associate at Paul Hastings, as a partner in its ESG and Impact practice in August. The firm also promoted Mackenzie Drutowski, an associate in the practice, to partner last month.