Hogan Lovells has re-shuffled its international management committee (IMC), with incoming CEO Steve Immelt stepping down as co-head of litigation, arbitration and employment as he succeeds outgoing chiefs David Harris and Warren Gorrell.
Announced today (15 May), the IMC is responsible for setting and implementing the strategic direction and business operations of the firm. City-based finance partner David Hudd will also cease leading the finance practice group to become the firm’s deputy CEO, and will be replaced by Paris-based finance partner Sharon Lewis.
Other changes include Andrew Skipper and Stuart Stein finishing their tenures as corporate practice group co-heads, replaced solely by Baltimore-based partner David Gibbons. Denver-based Cole Finegan will become regional managing partner for the Americas, replacing Dennis Tracey. Finegan is currently a board member and the firm has confirmed there will be an election for his replacement.
Lastly, Christoph Kueppers will step down from the role of Continental Europe regional managing partner, handing the reigns over to Madrid-based Burkhart Goebel.
Led by the heads of the firm’s five practice groups across five administrative regions, several of the committee’s current members will remain in their roles, representing either their practice group or region. This includes government regulatory head Anges Dover; IP, media and technology head Andreas von Flack; Asia and Middle East head Patrick Sherrington; UK and Africa head Susan Bright; and Washington DC head Emily Yinger.
With the roles set to take effect from 1 July, the revamp signals further management streamlining by the firm since it decided to move towards a single leadership model.
Immelt (pictured) said: ‘The changes that I am making are designed to build on what we have achieved under the leadership of David and Warren. They are designed to reinforce the foundations for the continued growth and development of the firm.’
sarah.downey@legalease.co.uk
Upcoming IMC line up:
CEO – Steve Immelt
Deputy CEO – David Hudd
Corporate practice group leader (PGL) – David Gibbons
Finance PGL – Sharon Lewis
Government regulatory PGL – Agnes Dover
IP, media and technology PGL – Andreas von Falck
Litigation, arbitration and employment PGL – Michael Davison
Americas regional managing partner (RMP) – Cole Finegan
Asia/Middle East RMP – Patrick Sherrington
Continental Europe RMP – Burkhart Goebel
UK and Africa RMP – Susan Bright
Washington, DC RMP – Emily Yinger