The Law Faculty is delighted to announce the appointment of Professor Richard Hooley, a highly distinguished legal academic with extensive practical experiences, as the academic with principal responsibility for undertaking Corporate Transactional teaching on the Masters of Corporate Law (MCL). The one fully compulsory element of the MCL, known as the 'Deals Course', is a cornerstone of the programme. Having an academic of Professor Hooley's stature assume responsibility for the Deals Course is one of most significant developments in the history of the MCL, which began operation in 2012.
The Deals Course combines a strong practical dimension and a rigorous academic approach to provide insights concerning the interaction of legal and market dynamics in transactional settings. Professor Hooley, who will take up an appointment as a University Lecturer in Corporate Law in September 2014, has ideal credentials as the Law Faculty academic teaching the course. He has since 2003 been a professor of law at King's College, London, specialising in commercial law and banking law. Prior to joining King's he was University Lecturer in Law at Cambridge for eight years. During his time at King's Professor Hooley retained substantial connections with Cambridge and is currently President (Vice-Master) of Fitzwilliam College.
Professor Hooley has, throughout his career, had strong connections with practise. He practised for 14 years (full-time and part time) as a barrister from Fountain Court Chambers, specialising in commercial law and finance law. Since 2000 he has been a consultant to the banking department at international law firm Allen & Overy LLP. His responsibilities at Allen & Overy include the provision of in-house training on the structure and content of financial and security transaction documentation.
Professor Hooley will take over responsibility for the Deals Course from Dr Rafal Zakrzewski. Dr Zakrzewski, who launched the Deals Course as a fixed term lecturer in corporate law and transactions, is returning to practise with the international law firm Clifford Chance and will likely be involved with the MCL on a part-time basis from 2014-15 onwards.
In addition to teaching the Deals Course, Professor Hooley will serve as MCL Director in 2014-15.