News
Former Freshfields tax partner Dame Sarah Falk appointed new Lady Justice of Appeal
Former Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (‘Freshfields’) tax partner, Dame Sarah Falk, has been appointed as a Lady Justice of Appeal in the Court of Appeal.
Dame Sarah has been a trailblazer throughout her career, qualifying as a solicitor in 1986 and becoming a partner at Freshfields in 1994. In 2018 she became one of only three solicitors to be appointed directly to the High Court bench from private practice, and the first woman to do so.
Freshfields’ Head of London Tax, Helen Buchanan said: “It is fantastic to see Sarah, who is undoubtedly one of the best lawyers of her generation, continue to trailblaze for women in the profession. It’s rare for a solicitor to be appointed as a High Court judge and to be elevated to the Court of Appeal is an incredible achievement. Naturally, we are all incredibly proud of her here in the Freshfields’ tax team.”
Senior partner Georgia Dawson commented: “I’m very pleased to hear of Dame Sarah Falk’s deserved appointment as a new Lady Justice of Appeal, demonstrating the growth of diverse representation and senior female role models within the judiciary. Sarah is an inspiration to talented lawyers across the profession.”
During her time at Freshfields, Dame Sarah advised on all aspects of corporate tax strategy and some of the highest-profile corporate finance transactions (including public and private M&A, demergers, IPOs and joint ventures) and restructurings in the market. She retired from the partnership in April 2013, though remained with the firm working as a Consultant. She was appointed as a Fee-paid Deputy Judge of the Upper Tribunal, Tax and Chancery Chamber in 2015.
Dame Sarah joins former Freshfields Tax alumna, Lady Justice Philippa Whipple on the Court of Appeal bench.