US firm Hunton & Williams has appointed cybersecurity and privacy partner Aaron Simpson as its new UK head.
Simpson joined the firm in 2003 from Skadden Arps Slater Meagher & Flom, and was sent to London last year to “guide multinationals through unprecedented UK and EU challenges”.
He succeeds current managing partner Bridget Treacy, who was office managing partner for over five years.
Simpson said: “I’m excited to be taking on such an important role for the firm. The UK is a critical market for so many of the firm’s clients, and the years ahead promise to present many challenges and opportunities.”
According to information from The Lawyer’s Global 200 2016 report, the firm currently has six partners and 18 fee-earners in its London office, which is the smallest of the firm’s entire network and the only one outside of the US. The firm’s biggest office by partner headcount is Richmond with 73 partners, followed by Washington DC with 57, New York (43) and Dallas (37).
This appointment comes amidst rumours that Hunton & Williams is searching for a UK merger. Last year, The Lawyer reported that CMS Cameron McKenna was in merger talks with Hunton & Williams after revealing its tripartite merger with Olswang and Nabarro. It is understood that Hunton & Williams also entered into discussions with Addleshaw Goddard, but neither of these negotiations have ended with a merger.
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