Herbert Smith Freehills today announced the re-appointment of James Palmer as Senior Partner and Chair of the Global LLP Council for a second term. The appointment, which follows a partnership vote, will take effect from 1 May 2018 for a term of three years.
James is one of the UK's most highly regarded corporate lawyers and currently chairs TheCityUK's Legal Services Group and is a member of TheCityUK's Advisory Board and its Senior Brexit Steering Committee. He is also a member of the FCA's Markets Practitioner Panel.
As Senior Partner he has continued to advise clients and lead transactions, and the substantial majority of his time going forward will continue to be spent with clients.
James Palmer commented:
"I am delighted and greatly honoured to be taking on a second term as Senior Partner. Our partners and staff continue to help the firm build its reputation and success, winning and helping clients around the world through a deep commitment to our service to them. I look forward to working with all our colleagues and our leadership team in pursuing our strategy and ambitions. The firm continues to perform well in our markets globally and remains superbly placed to strengthen still further."
CEO Mark Rigotti added:
"The Senior Partner has an integral role to play in representing Herbert Smith Freehills externally with clients as well as working with the Global Council to ensure the ongoing success of the firm, and James has done a fantastic job to date. The re-election of James will bring a degree of stability and continuity to the implementation of our strategy. I look forward to continuing to work closely with James in our vision to become a world class professional services business bringing together the very best people to achieve the best results for our clients."
James has spent his entire career at the firm, having joined Herbert Smith in 1986 as a trainee. He became a partner in 1994, focusing on corporate transactions. He was Global Head of Corporate from 2010 to 2012. During 2002 to 2006 he was also a member of the Herbert Smith Partnership Council.
James regularly advises clients such as BP, BAT, National Grid and the Weir Group and has worked on many high-profile transactions.
He has had extensive experience in the development of business regulation in the UK and EU and of working with governments and regulators on developing new law and regulation. He was deeply involved in the development of the Companies Act 2006, including the enactment of statutory directors' duties, as well as in developments to UK takeover law and regulation over the last twenty years, and the development of the UK listed company regulatory regime.
He advises clients across all sectors but has particular experience in the financial services sector, across banks, investment banks, insurers, asset managers and regulators.
About Herbert Smith Freehills
Operating from 27 offices across Asia Pacific, EMEA and North America, Herbert Smith Freehills is at the heart of the new global business landscape providing premium quality, full-service legal advice. The firm provides many of the world’s most important organisations with access to market-leading dispute resolution, projects and transactional legal advice, combined with expertise in a number of global industry sectors, including Banks, Consumer products, Energy, Financial buyers, Infrastructure & Transport, Mining, Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare, Real estate, TMT and Manufacturing & Industrials.
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