Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has launched a global investigations practice to advise multinational corporates on regulatory issues relating to corruption and financial reporting.

The practice, which sits within the wider disputes group, will house 65 partners across 13 countries. It will be jointly led out of London and New York by litigation partners Geoff Nicholas and Adam Siegel respectively.

The 138-lawyer group includes individuals from the firm's corporate, competition, financial services and employment departments and will advise multinationals on compliance issues and internal corporate investigations.

Nicholas (pictured) commented: "The regulatory approach to multinational business is increasingly one with a large bite, cross-border reach and sharp teeth. Our global investigations practice brings together lawyers from all major jurisdictions to offer comprehensive legal support for companies navigating the increasingly globalised approach to regulatory enforcement."

Separately, the magic circle firm has carried out a survey of general counsel at FTSE 350 companies, finding that over a third of in-house counsel reported an increase in significant disputes over the last year.

Freshfields launched a US litigation practice in January last year with the hire of three partners, including Siegel. Since then the firm has recruited David Onorato, the former deputy general counsel and director of litigation with Bank of America.