Withers has hired leading barrister and former Attorney General, The Right Honourable Geoffrey Cox QC MP, as its Consultant Global Counsel, after the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA) completed its consideration of the appointment.
Mr Cox will work closely with the firm to enhance its advice to both its private and overseas government clients on international commercial litigation, fraud disputes, international arbitrations (both investment treaty and commercial) and public international law matters.
In addition to acting as a consultant for Withers, Geoffrey remains MP for Torridge and West Devon and a privy counsellor and will continue to practice as a barrister at his chambers, Thomas More Chambers. He was called to the Bar in 1982, appointed Queen's Counsel in 2003 and became Attorney General in 2018, stepping down from that role in February 2020 to return to private practice.
Peter Wood, chief executive of Withers' Dispute Resolution division, comments: "We are delighted to have Geoffrey joining us in this consultative role. As a lawyer he has an outstanding track record in core areas for us such as civil litigation, regulatory matters, fraud disputes, international arbitrations and investment disputes and in advising overseas governments. What's more, his experience at the sharp end in government will be invaluable to us and to our clients when strategic advice is required. Hussein Haeri and I in particular look forward to working with him on opportunities and issues around the world."
Geoffrey Cox adds: "Withers has a great pedigree as a leading source of comprehensive advice to successful individuals and institutions across the globe. In our discussions, we have identified many opportunities for collaboration, where the interests of the firm's clients and my experience and insights advising governments and international clients intersect in exciting ways, and I look forward to developing this further by providing advice to the firm and its clients on their activities."
Withers has developed a highly regarded investment treaty and public international law practice that advises governments, sovereign wealth funds, and investors around the world on major cross-border disputes. Co-led by partners Hussein Haeri in London and Emma Lindsay in New York, the practice is frequently recognized as a leader in this field.
