Freshfields partner takes EC policy role

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer competition partner Vanessa Turner is to leave the magic circle firm to take up a post at the European Commission.

Turner will join the cabinet of European Commissioner for Competition Neelie Kroes, where she will be member for merger control and antitrust issues.

Freshfields anti-trust, competition and trade global co-head David Aitman said: "It's unusual for a senior policyrole like this to be filled by someone from private practice, which indicates Vanessa's strong reputation and breadth of experience."

Turner is based in Freshfields' Brussels office where she has been a partner since 2000. She takes up the new post on 1 April.