Paul Friedman has become Morrison & Foerster’s first managing partner for Europe, overseeing 26 partners and 43 associates across London, Berlin and Brussels.
The securities and white-collar litigator has 32 years under his belt at the top 30 Global 100 firm, including 28 years as a partner, and will relocate from San Francisco to London to assume the role.
During his time at Morrison, Friedman has held numerous leadership positions, including co-chairing the FCPA and anti-corruption task force, which he also founded, chairing the litigation department and serving on the executive and partner compensation committees.
Friedman will be responsible for developing and implementing a growth strategy for the region and enhancing coordination between the firm’s London, Brussels and Berlin offices and 14 other offices throughout the United States and Asia. The establishment of this new position follows the 2012 appointment of Eric Piesner as the managing partner for Asia as the firm looks to share US clients across its overseas offices.
Corporate partner Trevor James, cartels specialist Rony Gerrits, tax lawyer Jens-Uwe Hinder and employment partner Hanno Timner will continue to serve as the managing partners of the London, Brussels and Berlin offices, respectively.
Morrison’s European coverage expanded last year when Hinder and Timner joined the firm as part of a Berlin team exodus from Hogan Lovells. Just a year after launching in the Germany, Morrison now has 26 lawyers based in Berlin. The firm’s London office, which launched in 1980, has remained its largest in Europe, with 14 partners, 23 associates and seven of counsel.
Morrison’s chair Larren Nashelsky said: ‘We’ve created this new role to build on our successes in Europe and support our commitment to growth in the region. When it comes to building cross-practice, cross-office teams to pursue deep client relationships, Paul is a leader with a long track record of working successfully among multiple practice areas and across regions, particularly in Asia. Paul’s experience and deep knowledge of the firm will help to enhance synergies between our European practice and U.S. and Asia practices.’
Friedman added: ‘Having a managing partner focused on Europe presents a great opportunity to further invest in the growth of our European practice. I’m excited about focusing my energies on further broadening our global practice.’
tom.moore@legalease.co.uk