Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (‘Freshfields’) has appointed partner Andrew Austin as London head of dispute resolution, effective 1 May. Andrew will succeed Mark Sansom who has recently been appointed as London Managing Partner. Austin will lead the London disputes practice alongside his client work. Austin advises on commercial disputes, consumer law issues, and product liability litigation within the tech, life sciences, FMCG and retail sectors. He has acted on some of the most complex, multi-jurisdictional mass claims of the last decade. Austin is also a prominent contributor to diversity and inclusion initiatives at the firm, including Freshfields’ global LGBTQ+ network group Halo. Commenting on the appointment, Global Head of Disputes, Sarah Parkes, said: “I am delighted to announce that Andrew will assume leadership of our disputes team in London. Andrew is a natural successor to drive forward the success of our market leading practice as a longstanding litigator advising on complex, cross-border mass claims.” Austin added: “I am excited to have been appointed as London disputes head and would like to thank Mark Sansom for his excellent leadership in the role. From commercial disputes to class actions, arbitration to patent litigation, white collar defence to shareholder litigation, ESG to restructuring, we have an incredible disputes practice here in London, serving an amazing set of clients. I look forward to working with colleagues across London, Manchester and beyond to continue its strategic growth.” The change in London leadership for disputes follows Freshfields’ appointment of fellow litigator, Mark Sansom, as London Managing Partner, succeeding Claire Wills who has completed her term in the role and will return to client advisory work.