Transatlantic firm Squire Patton Boggs has appointed Jane Haxby as its new European managing partner, taking on the role from Peter Crossley who is set to step down at the end of the year.
Haxby will take on the role from January serving a three year term. She was previously head of the firm’s Manchester office and chair of the firm’s global corporate group for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Haxby has spent most of her 23-year career in the Manchester office, where the firm has a strong history.
In September, Legal Business revealed Crossley was set to step down from his leadership role but remain at the firm. He confirmed to the partnership his retirement from the role earlier in the year, ending his 12 years leading the European branch having first been elected as legacy Hammonds managing partner in 2004.
Under Crossley’s watch, Squire has moved into the top 40 of the Global 100 with a turnover of $929.1m and a presence across the US, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
Crossley helped guide legacy Hammonds through its US merger with Squire, Sanders & Dempsey in 2011 and a merger with influential Washington DC lobbying firm Patton Boggs in 2014. A further merger with California disputes boutique Carroll, Burdick & McDonough in February this year added 50 lawyers creating a 1,500 lawyer firm with around 500 partners.
Haxby said: ‘I am delighted to take on this exciting new challenge. Having worked with many colleagues across the globe during my career with the firm it is clear that we are well-positioned to serve the evolving needs of our clients and unlock even greater potential from the vast talent and resources within our organisation.’
Global chair and chief executive Mark Ruehlmann said: ‘As the legal services industry goes through fundamental change, Jane will continue to bring fresh thinking that will advance our focus on collaboration, performance and delivering top-notch service to clients.’
The firm has also appointed top sports lawyer Fred Nance as its US global managing partner, based in Cleveland, succeeding Steve Mahon.
matthew.field@legalease.co.uk
For the full interview with Crossley from earlier this year, see ”We have enough of a say’: Squire’s Peter Crossley on retirement, leadership and the US’
Read Peter Crossley’s Life During Law here.