Freshfields names replacement for Lawes as FIG co-head
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has named disputes partner Andrew Hart as joint leader of its global financial institutions group (FIG), replacing senior partner-elect Will Lawes.
Will Lawes
Hart will take up the position immediately, working alongside current FIG chiefs corporate partner Gunnar Schuster in Frankfurt and London-based finance partner Sean Pierce.
Lawes was elected as the magic circle firm’s senior partner in September and will take over from current joint senior partner Konstantin Mettenheimer and Guy Morton in the New Year.
Hart has been a partner at the firm since 1997 and has previously been co-head of the financial institutions disputes group.
Managing partner Ted Burke said: “Andy’s vast experience in the financial services sector, global outlook and leadership ability make him particularly well suited for this job. He brings a different perspective because of his focus on contentious regulatory matters, a perspective that is well suited to the current environment.
“Our financial services practice is extremely important to us and we feel that our leadership team for this sector reflects our commitment to provide a full service offering to our financial clients.”
Hart added: “The regulatory changes will fundamentally affect the way in which our FIG clients do business, what products they sell and how they sell them. Our clients will need coherent solutions which take into account all the complexities caused by the lack of a single global regulatory response. I look forward to helping steer our outstanding worldwide practice in this area to enable clients to address the challenges ahead.”
