After bringing in a slew of US veterans to lead its push stateside, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has revamped it global leadership, appointing new disputes, corporate and employment heads.
Financial institutions disputes head David Scott will replace global dispute resolution head Chris Pugh, who has been in the role since 2009, while German partner Rick van Aerssen will take over from Edward Braham as corporate leader. In addition, Caroline Stroud will succeed Nick Squire as employment, pensions and benefits head.
All three appointments are four years long, with van Aerssen’s and Stroud’s new roles going into effect on 1 November 2014, and Scott taking up his position on 1 January.
Scott specialises in banking and financial services litigation and regulatory proceedings while van Aerssen is a corporate and finance partner in the firm’s Frankfurt and Munich offices, and focuses on capital markets and M&A advice to listed companies and financial institutions. Stroud, on the other hand, is known for defending employers in big-ticket employment disputes where the company’s reputation is at stake as well as large sums of money.
Freshfields managing partner, David Aitman, said: ‘These appointments see the stewardship of our global corporate, dispute resolution and employment, pensions and benefits practices handed over to three highly skilled and extremely well respected partners. I have no doubt that under their leadership, Rick, David and Caroline will ensure that we continue to anticipate and service our clients’ needs across the globe, as well as help to maintain our excellent market standing in these areas of expertise.’
The management reshuffle comes as the firm revamps its leadership, predominantly in London and New York. Most recently, the firm hired former Shearman & Sterling partner Peter Lyons as co-head of its global public M&A group, after hiring Skadden and Wachtell veterans in September to take leading roles.
In Spring earlier this year, the firm named Julian Long as its new London managing partner, who took over from incumbent Mark Rawlinson who returned to client work.
jaishree.kalia@legalease.co.uk
