Competition litigation expert Jon Lawrence is Brick Court bound
One of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer’s most experienced lawyers has revealed he’s leaving the magic circle outfit to pursue a career at the bar.
Jon Lawrence (pictured), who joined Freshfields way back in 1984 and currently heads up its competition litigation team, confirmed he will join Brick Court Chambers next autumn. However, like any budding barrister, Lawrence will have to complete pupillage at the London set before he can become a fully-fledged tenant.
How does baby barrister pay stack up against City lawyer salaries? Legal Cheek’s Chambers Most List shows Brick Court Chambers’ pupillage comes with an award of £65,000, one of the highest in the country. Meanwhile, 2016-17 financials released by Freshfields earlier this month show the average partner pockets a whopping £1.5 million.
But don’t feel too sorry for Lawrence. Once qualified, the Cambridge-educated lawyer will likely see his earnings rocket, thanks in part to his 30 plus years experience at one of the world’s leading law firms.
Speaking to Legal Business, the soon-to-be barrister revealed the move was about taking on “a new challenge”. Continuing, he said:
I’ve always wanted to do some advocacy. Brick Court is a tremendous set of chambers and if I am able to take up the tenancy in autumn 2018 they will give me the opportunity to do so whilst not letting down my existing clients.
Lawrence isn’t the first Freshfields lawyer to be lured to the bar. Last year litigation partner Raj Parker joined Matrix Chambers as an associate member, while former managing partner Ian Terry joined One Essex Court as a mediator.
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