Haynes Boone has appointed longtime Partner William Cecil as United Kingdom General Counsel, reflecting the firm’s continued growth in London and the increasing scope and complexity of its international legal and regulatory operations.
In his role, Cecil will work closely with Haynes Boone General Counsel Ben Mesches and the rest of the Haynes Boone Office of the General Counsel in Dallas, strengthening coordination for cross-border compliance and internal legal efforts.
Cecil, who previously served as London office managing partner, has been with the firm since 2016, when his prior firm, CDG, merged with Haynes Boone. He will continue his active shipping dispute resolution practice while assuming the expanded internal legal and compliance responsibilities associated with the firm’s UK and international operations. Corporate Partner Nick Davis who joined the firm as co-office managing partner last February, will continue that role on his own.
“As our London office and international platform continue to grow, so does the volume of international matters,” said Haynes Boone Managing Partner Taylor Wilson. “Will has played a central role in the evolution of our London office and has long been deeply involved in both legal and regulatory matters there. This appointment formally recognizes his leadership and ensures we have trusted, on-the-ground support aligned with our U.S.-based GC team.”
The UK general counsel role reflects both the firm’s expansion in London and the highly regulated environment in which UK-based law firms operate. Cecil’s new title acknowledges the broader scope of legal work tied to the firm’s international growth and increasing cross-border activity.
“Over the past decade, I have worked closely with colleagues across the London office as it has grown from a small group into a much broader, international practice,” said Cecil. “This role recognizes the growth of our outpost in London, and it is ultimately about supporting the people doing that work.”
Haynes Boone’s London office relocated at the end of 2025 to support expanded corporate and international activity across the Eastern Hemisphere. The firm recently advised on the largest U.S. IPO in London by market cap since the beginning of 2015 and is recognized for advising the largest number of companies listed on the London Stock Exchange’s Alternative Investment Market.
