Goldman Sachs deputy general counsel David Greenwald is rejoining Fried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson as co-chair of the US firm.

Greenwald, who also holds the post of international GC at the bank, will serve alongside Valerie Jacob, current chair of the New York-headquartered firm, until February 2015.

Greenwald, whose start date at Fried Frank is as yet unconfirmed, will subsequently serve as sole chairman, with Jacob moving into the role of senior partner.

Greenwald worked as an M&A and private equity lawyer at Fried Frank before joining Goldman Sachs in 1994, later becoming a managing director and partner. He also co-chaired a number of groups within the bank, including the suitability committee, which sets standards for clients and financial products.

"I am pleased that our initiative to have David rejoin the firm has been successful," said Jacob. "His 19 years of experience…[at] our client Goldman Sachs, one of the world's preeminent financial institutions, will be a tremendous benefit to our clients and to our firm."

Greenwald paid tribute to Jacob, a partner at the firm since 1986. "Valerie has been the longest-serving chair of the firm and under her leadership the firm has grown and is well positioned for strong performance going forward," he said.

Goldman Sachs GC Gregory Palm added: "We have benefited enormously from David's good judgment and wise counsel, and I am very pleased that we will still be able to call on his advice in his new role at Fried Frank, a firm which has ably represented us for many years."