International law firm Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) has solidified its Public Sector Group with the appointment of legal director Dean Murray, who joins the firm’s Newcastle office to lead WBD’s subsidy control practice.
Joining from Ward Hadaway, Dean is an experienced commercial lawyer who specialises in subsidy control and competition law. He has more than 20 years’ experience advising a wide range of clients in the public, private and third sectors on State aid and subsidy control issues. Dean will lead on advising public bodies, providing assistance to businesses (whether via grants, loans or other support measures) and advising the recipients of such assistance.
Dean’s appointment represents his return to WBD, having spent 15 years at legacy firms Dickinson Dees and Bond Dickinson. He also has extensive experience of EU and UK competition law, advising clients on contentious and non-contentious matters covering anti-trust issues, merger clearance and State aid. He has a strong track record advising public sector clients on procurement and outsourcing issues and has also acted for many businesses in the private sector including utilities, chemicals, fast moving consumer goods, logistics, motor vehicle manufacturing and education clients.
Kevin Robertson, Head of WBD’s Projects & Procurement Team, commented: “We’re thrilled to welcome Dean back into the firm. Dean’s reputation and expertise, particularly in State aid and subsidy control issues, precedes him so we are delighted that he has chosen to re-join our business. His experience and specialisms will be of great benefit to our clients across the private and public sectors.”
Dean added: “WBD has a strong reputation across the UK with an impressive client portfolio, particularly in the public sector arena, bringing many opportunities to work on very exciting national and regional projects. I am delighted to be re-joining our growing Newcastle team and to be reuniting with many former colleagues.”
Ranking in the UK’s Top 20 law firms, WBD advises clients across 12 sectors of expertise and also works closely with UK local and central government bodies, as well as other organisations in the wider public and third sector. The firm has a wealth of experience in the public sector and advises many UK Government Departments and Agencies providing a full range of legal expertise across a range of disciplines. Last October, WBD was appointed to the Crown Commercial Services (CCS) new Public Sector Legal Services Framework, which covers a broad range of legal services including commercial, corporate, non-complex finance and investment, property and construction, IT, data protection, employment, litigation and public procurement.