Mr Freeh exited Pepper Hamilton in January after less than four years to restart his former firm Freeh, Sporkin & Sullivan, which unofficially combined with Pepper Hamilton in 2012. However, Mr Freeh's risk management company Freeh Group International has, until recently, remained a wholly owned subsidiary of Pepper Hamilton despite the former chairman's departure. The firm has now confirmed that on 31 March, ownership of the subsidiary was transferred back to Mr Freeh.

Potential merger

The reasons behind the formal separation are not immediately clear. Pepper Hamilton is gearing up for a potential merger with 1,600-lawyer firm Reed Smith, though the former firm has declined to comment on whether its split from Freeh Group International was at all motivated by the tie-up plans. 'Pepper and FGIS have enjoyed a long and mutually beneficial relationship, and we are pleased that this transaction will allow us to continue to work together to benefit our clients, while giving both firms greater flexibility,' said a statement from the firm. Source: The Legal Intelligencer