Rod Fletcher was a star of the white-collar industry.

Rod Fletcher, a prominent Herbert Smith Freehills partner, has died, the firm announced on its website on Friday.

Fletcher was one of the white-collar world's most acclaimed and experienced practitioners, who the firm described as "one of life's true gentlemen" and one who "made a tremendous difference" to the firm's business.

Described by his peers as a "talented but also kind, patient and supportive" man, Fletcher, who joined HSF six years ago, enjoyed a career that spanned 35 years, and saw him act on some of the decade's most high-profile business crime cases.

"He was a brilliant lawyer and a man of extraordinary integrity," the firm's memoriam reads. "He was generous with his time and expertise, and unflappable under pressure," it continues.

"He brought people together within teams and across offices, and led with a mixture of charm, humour, and persuasiveness – underpinned with a steely determination when required."

Before joining HSF, Fletcher spent 28 years at legacy Russell Jones & Walker – now a part of Slater and Gordon UK – where he headed the firm's business crime and regulation practice.

Joining HSF in 2013, he notably led a team acting for ICBC Standard Bank on the U.K.'s first-ever deferred prosecution agreement with the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) – with the presiding judge, Lord Justice Leveson, describing the victory as "the benchmark against which future such applications may fall to be assessed".

He also led a team advising former Barclays banker Roger Jenkins, following the SFO's announcement of fraud charges relating to the bank's capital-raising arrangements with Qatari investors during the 2008 financial crisis.

"He will be sorely missed by the entire firm," the memoriam ended.

James Palmer, senior partner at the firm, said in a statement: "Rod was a highly talented lawyer with a passion for the law and for the clients he served. Over a career spanning more than three decades, Rod became one of the UK's leading corporate crime and investigations specialists. His death is a huge loss to the legal profession.

"While it goes without saying that we will miss Rod's professional contribution, for many of us, this news also brings an enormous personal loss. Good-humoured and generous, Rod was the embodiment of what it means to be among the best in the business and also be the best kind of person.

"He brought people together across teams and offices; he gave his time freely and let others benefit from his expertise; he was patient and unflappable, even under pressure. Rod cared for and respected those around him – and was well loved and well respected in return. We will miss him deeply and our thoughts are with his family and friends."