O'Brien withdraws as Freshfields election kicks off

The Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer senior partner election kicked off yesterday with partners set to choose German senior partner Konstantin Mettenheimer with either Guy Morton, Graham Nicholson or Philip Richards.

Corporate partner Barry O’Brien has withdrawn his candidacy. It is understood that O’Brien withdrew due to the ongoing Law Society investigation into Freshfields’ conflict of interest during Philip Green’s bid for Marks and Spencer.

The partners previously voted for the dual senior partner role to be maintained with partners from two different jurisdictions. As Mettenheimer is the only remaining candidate outside London he is assured of one of the roles.

The result of the first ballot is expected on Thursday afternoon. If one candidate does not win a majority the race will go to a second ballot with the result expected early next week.