Herbert Smith: Kyriakos Fountoukakos new CRT managing partner

Kyriakos Fountoukakos (pictured) has been appointed as the new Managing Partner of Herbert Smith Freehills‘ global Competition, Regulation and Trade (CRT) Practice, effective from May 1. Fountoukakos will take over from Stephen Wisking, who will continue as a full-time practice partner in the firm’s London CRT team focusing on competition disputes and class actions and the TMT sector. 

Apart from his new role, Fountoukakos will continue as CRT Regional Head of Practice for EMEA and Brussels Office Managing Partner, working closely with the CRT Regional Head of Practice for Australia, Linda Evans. With over two decades of experience in EU and UK competition law, Fountoukakos has advised international clients in sectors such as TMT, life sciences, energy and mining, consumer products, financial services, and manufacturing on areas such as merger control (M&A and joint ventures), cartels, antitrust investigations and advice, distribution agreements, dominance, and competition litigation before the EU courts. 

Fountoukakos began his career at Herbert Smith Freehills and later worked as a European Commission official at the Directorate General for Competition’s Merger Task Force and as a Référendaire (legal assistant) in the cabinet of the President of the General Court of the EU. He then rejoined the firm in 2006 as a partner. In addition to his role at Herbert Smith Freehills, Fountoukakos is a visiting lecturer at University College London and serves as senior-vice chair of the IBA’s Antitrust Committee. 

Fountoukakos comments: “Our global competition and trade practice has gone from strength to strength under Stephen’s leadership, picking up major M&A and contentious mandates including a number of class actions. I’m looking forward to building on these great foundations as I take on this role. I am very privileged to be able to count on the support of a fantastic, high-quality team of colleagues in our global network. Our team thrives at working together seamlessly across borders to support clients in their most complex legal and commercial challenges as their trusted advisors.” 

Ian Cox, Executive Partner, Practices at Herbert Smith Freehills, says: 

“Kyriakos has shown a strong track record of leadership credentials with his various management roles in the firm. Coupled with his technical expertise as a highly regarded competition lawyer, he is well placed to build on our successes and drive the team forward in providing the best for our clients. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Stephen for his excellent leadership of the practice over the past six years.”