Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer news, updates and analysis | Page 34 of 43

With next year being David Aitman’s final period as global managing partner at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer,  two partners are emerging as standout candidates to take on the management of one of the world’s largest and powerful law firms.

Two veteran partners separately cited City disputes head Chris Pugh and Berlin-based antitrust partner Helmut Bergmann as front-runners to take on the managing partner role when the firm focuses on its core leadership team in earnest in the spring.

The senior partner role is also up for grabs, as incumbent Will Lawes previously said he would only stand for one term. Head of corporate Edward Braham is the leading candidate for the role.

The senior partner role, which will go to a full partnership vote, will be key in deciding the managing partner brief as the incoming senior partner has traditionally appointed the managing partner directly at Freshfields.

Braham is currently seen as the clear standout candidate to secure the senior partner role, though it is unclear whether other rivals will emerge. Lawes had secured the role in 2010 in a contest against chief executive Ted Burke. Burke was subsequently named managing partner, though stood down from his role in 2013, with competition veteran Aitman stepping in.

Both Pugh and Bergmann have strong credentials, with Pugh enjoying strong backing in London having helped to build up the firm’s highly-rated disputes practice, while Bergmann has US experience and continental European support. Pugh has headed the global disputes team since 2009 but will step down at the beginning of next year. Current financial institutions disputes head David Scott will succeed Pugh, who has been at the firm for nearly 24 years.

One partner commented: ‘[Pugh] has been heading the disputes team for years and years and knows how to manage and run a team. Him as managing partner would work well.’

Competition specialist Bergmann also comes highly recommended. He was made up to partner at legacy German firm Deringer Tessin Hermann & Sedemund in 1996, having first joined the firm in its Cologne office as a trainee in 1987. He also has leadership experience, acting as managing partner of the Berlin office from 1998 until 2006, and as co-head of the firm’s global antitrust, competition and trade group from 2006 until 2010. At present, he is a member of the firm’s partner recommendation committee.

‘I wouldn’t be surprised if Helmut got it,’ said another London-based partner. ‘He has always been one of our fantastic lawyers with great client relationships.’

jaishree.kalia@legealease.co.uk

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