Four more years: Addleshaws elects Joyce for second term as managing partner

Addleshaw Goddard managing partner John Joyce has been re-elected uncontested for a second term as the firm continues its growth through mergers.

Legal Business revealed in November that Joyce was standing again as partners at the firm voted to acquire HBJ Gateley’s three Scottish offices in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Joyce, who was appointed into the role in May 2014 for a three-year term, will stand for another four-years beginning in May, following recent changes to the firm’s partnership deed that extended the terms of both managing partner and senior partner by a year.

Widely touted as a galvanising force for the top 20 firm, Joyce has led Addleshaws through current discussions with full service German firm Luther, which has ten offices across Germany. Luther’s turnover is €124m globally. If merger talks are successful, Addleshaws would easily reach its goal of achieving £250m in fee income by the financial year 2017/18. Since Joyce’s appointment, revenue at the firm has grown from £171.4m in 2013/14 to £201.8m in 2015/16.

‘Three years ago we set out a plan to improve business focus, performance and returns,’ said Joyce. ‘Despite the challenging economic and market conditions, we have made substantial progress in developing and improving our business across numerous fronts, most recently through the combination with HBJ – just one aspect of our strategic ambitions and we remain committed to further expansion internationally and in the UK.’

The firm is also in merger talks with US firm Hunton & Williams, which are reported to be going from strength to strength, despite previous speculation that the discussions had been called off.

madeleine.farman@legalease.co.uk