George, best known for his work with Land Securities Trillium, decided after a sabbatical during the summer to reassess his future.
George told The Lawyer: “Before I became a lawyer, I was a surveyor. I don't think it would be an exaggeration to say that I was the world's worst surveyor.”
However, his career in law has been much more successful, especially after winning Trillium as a client in 1996, before it was acquired by Land Securities.
George said that he had been considering his future for a while, adding that the senior management at Freshfields had been supportive of his decision.
He said: “Over the last couple of years I've been thinking that a change might be a good idea.
“I might move into the business side of property or even consider remaining a lawyer, although that might defeat the whole object of the decision.”
In terms of which Freshfields partner would take over the Land Securities Trillium relationship, George said that a number of lawyers had worked with the client over the years. But he added that partner David Ereira has recently been close to the company.
