Herbert Smith's former senior partner David Gold has been appointed by the US Department of Justice (DoJ) to act as a corporate monitor of BAE Systems.

The position was approved by the US Attorney General's office yesterday (30 August) and will see Gold act in an independent capacity to assess and monitor BAE's compliance with a plea bargain agreement it entered into with the DoJ earlier this year.

The appointment takes effect form 1 September and will last for a minimum of three years, during which time Gold will commit at least three days a month to the role.

Gold will remain a partner at Herbert Smith until his retirement on 30 April 2011, sitting within the top 10 UK firm's advocacy unit. Gold became a qualified mediator earlier this year after taking a course at the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution.

Gold commented: "This is a complete change of my life, having been with Herbert Smith for 37 years. I did not run for senior partner as I wanted to look at other things out there."

He added: "I will use my skills as a litigator to test and challenge BAE's systems, processes and people to make sure that the company is following the right policies. I also look forward to joining the advocacy unit and providing advice to clients."

Herbert Smith senior partner Jonathan Scott, commented: "This appointment is a mark of some distinction not only for David, reflecting as it does his international standing as one of the City's leading lawyers, but also for Herbert Smith. We offer David our best wishes in his new role."

BAE Systems' high-profile corruption case, saw the defence group in February agree to pay fines totalling more than $400m (£250m), handed roles to firms including Linklaters and Allen & Overy (A&O).

BAE's agreement with the DoJ and the UK Serious Fraud Office settled a six-year investigation into the company's alleged corruption in arms deals.

Linklaters advised BAE on the settlement with the DoJ, while A&O advised on the SFO settlement in the UK, which saw the arms company agree to pay £30m and plead guilty to one charge of breach of duty to keep accounting records in relation to payments made to a former marketing adviser in Tanzania.