Herbert Smith Freehills expands New York offering with top litigation hire

Herbert Smith Freehills has further strengthened its New York offering with the hire of Partner Peter Behmke, a leading litigator in the market.

Peter joins the firm from Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle, where he was a partner.

Lauded by the legal directories as a "rising star," Peter has carved out a successful career as a commercial litigator, representing clients across a range of sectors in their most complex disputed matters, including in the areas of financial services, commercial contracts, commodities, securities, bankruptcy litigation, energy, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty and other business torts.  

He has successfully represented clients in state and federal courts at the trial and appellate levels throughout the United States, as well as in domestic and international arbitrations under the auspices of the AAA, ICDR, ICC and CPR.  

Some of Peter's significant cases include representing the estate of Lehman Brothers, where he led his prior firm’s litigation team in adversary proceedings that resulted in the recovery of more than US$12 billion of cash and securities for the estate, as well as representing an international accounting firm in one of the largest securities class action trials in the United States.  

Peter received his B.A. from Boston College and his J.D. from The University of Chicago Law School.

Since opening the office in September 2012, the firm has more than doubled in size to 13 partners, 3 counsel and over 30 fee-earners, along with a full team of business services and support personnel. Most recently it announced the appointment of James Robinson as the first Corporate partner in its New York office.

Scott Balber, Managing Partner of Herbert Smith Freehills New York office and US Head of Investigations and Financial Services Litigation said: 

"Peter is a great addition to our elite team in New York. His expertise in high-stakes litigation will further strengthen our New York offering and we are very pleased to welcome him to the firm."

Damien Byrne Hill, Regional Head of Practice, Dispute Resolution, UK & US, added: 

"We have seen significant growth in our New York office in recent years. We have more than doubled the size of our team by attracting a number of high-profile lateral hires. This reflects the fact that there is a strong client demand for our global disputes expertise in the US and this growth will continue."

About Herbert Smith Freehills' New York Office

The New York office of Herbert Smith Freehills includes a team of seasoned litigators as well as international arbitration specialists representing clients in a wide range of commercial litigation, investigations, cross-border matters and class actions throughout the United States. New York is also the hub for the firm's global Latin America practice with a focus on infrastructure and project finance matters. Additionally, New York has a cross-border M&A practice with a focus on outbound investments into Asia-Pac and EMEA.

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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