Dr Klaus Landry is to work on behalf of HSH Nordbank, overseeing and coordinating any major legal disputes that do not concern the bank's day-to-day business.

The appointment of Dr Landry emphasises HSH Nordbank's desire for a complete resolution of any such issues, some of which have received media attention in the past.

"Dr Landry's personality and impressive record make him the perfect candidate for this job, which is of vital importance to the bank. He will play a critical role in ensuring that all cases are comprehensively dealt with," said chief executive Dirk Jens Nonnenmacher.

"My task is to make sure that all matters are handled decisively and coordinated in a systematic, transparent and independent manner. In order to enable me to do this, the management board has given me far-reaching authority and the greatest possible degree of autonomy," said Dr Landry.

A lawyer and tax law specialist with more than 40 years' experience, Dr Landry is a partner at Graf von Westphalen. From 1990 to 1999, he served as President of the Hanseatic Law Society, and was also a member of the founding committee of Bucerius Law School in Hamburg. In addition to this, he is an honorary trustee of the Max Planck Institute for comparative and international private law.

More information can be found at HSH Nordbank's website.