The international practice has named former Attorney General Geoffrey Cox QC as global counsel advising overseas governments and private clients.

International law firm Withers has added public office fire-power to its ranks naming Conservative MP and former Attorney General Geoffrey Cox QC as consultant global counsel.

Cox is expected to work closely with the firm advising private and overseas government clients on international commercial litigation, fraud disputes, international arbitrations (in investment treaty and commercial) and public international law matters, the firm said in a statement on Monday.

Withers has built a strong reputation for advising international governments, sovereign wealth funds, and investors on cross-border disputes. The team is co-led by partners Hussein Haeri in London and Emma Lindsay in New York.
 
The larger than life Cox, known for his flourishing Commons deliveries, notably over the fractious legalities of leaving the EU, will continue serving Torridge and West Devon as a Conservative MP and undertaking his barrister duties at Thomas More chambers. He was made Attorney General in 2018 and sacked by Downing Street in February in a post-Brexit reshuffle.

"His experience at the sharp end in government will be invaluable to us and to our clients when strategic advice is required," Peter Wood, chief executive of Withers' Dispute Resolution division, said.

The move comes at the same time as another former cabinet member and head of the Treasury Select Committee Nicky Morgan is joining her old law firm Travers Smith in an advisory role in the firm's technology group.

On Cox's appointment, Wood said: "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."

Cox responded: "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."