Field Fisher adds first non-UK member to top-level board

Field Fisher Waterhouse has appointed its first board member from outside its London headquarters in a bid to further integrate its European offices.

The firm has named Brussels managing partner Eric Cusas to the eight-member body, with Cusas gaining a three-year seat to represent the Brussels, Hamburg and Paris offices.

Field Fisher made its first move into Europe in 2007, when it ended a five-year alliance with a number of firms on the continent to open offices in Germany, Belgium and France.

The launch saw the firm open in Brussels with three partners from former alliance member Verhaegen Walravens including Cusas, four partners from German ally Buse Heberer Fromm, and a team from historic French partner Dubarry.

Field Fisher's board, which is chaired by managing partner Moira Gilmour, is responsible for driving the firm's operations and global strategy.

Cusas joins intellectual property and technology head Mark Abell, corporate head Tim Davies, real estate head Paul Houston, regulatory and competition head Matthew Lohn, litigation and employment head Paul McNeil and operations director Douglas Peniston on the board.

Gilmour said: "Our focus is to continue to build on our European strategy, providing clients with an alternative to larger international firms through our offices in the main European jurisdictions. Eric's appointment to the board is a further step forward in the integration of our European offices as we continue to grow our operations on the continent."

Cusas added: "The move reflects the success of the offices launched in 2007 and the firm's commitment to integration and international growth."

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