Travers Smith has appointed a senior counsel in its dispute resolution practice as its first dedicated full-time pro bono director.

Sam Cottman has been at Travers Smith since 2006 and will oversee the firm's pro bono projects alongside corporate social responsibility (CSR) partner Donald Lowe.

Cottman recently co-led the team that successfully defeated the high-profile claim brought by property tycoon Robert Tchenguiz against Mr Jóhannes Jóhannsson and Grant Thornton, following the collapse of Kaupthing bank.