High-profile litigator and former Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) CEO Sonya Leydecker has started working with Linklaters' disputes team.

Leydecker is working with the magic circle firm on client matters, having left HSF in 2017 to become a consultant.

Her departure followed the Anglo-Australian firm's decision to move to a sole CEO model. She had served alongside Mark Rigotti as co-CEO since 1 May 2014.

Previously, she was head of disputes at legacy Herbert Smith from 2005 to 2012 and became global head of disputes at HSF following its merger with Australian firm Freehills in October 2012.

It is unclear in what capacity she is working with Linklaters or which clients she is advising. The firm listed her on its website but has since deleted the page.

A Linklaters spokesperson confirmed she was working with the practice but declined to provide further details. Another person close to the situation emphasised she was advising on client matters, not advising the firm.

In 2004, Leydecker acted for oil giant Shell on a dispute with the Financial Services Authority (now the Financial Conduct Authority).

On her LinkedIn profile, Leydecker describes her current work as a mix of coaching, consulting work and pro bono work. She also says she uses her litigation and management background to "deliver strategic advice to GCs and individual clients involved in complex matters".

Linklaters' disputes practice has close to 300 litigation and arbitration lawyers globally, according to the firm's website. The team made a number of new hires in 2017 and 2018, including former Goldman Sachs managing director Andrew Chung in Hong Kong, and new Moscow disputes head Vladimir Melnikov from HSF.