Travers Smith senior partner Chris Hale has been re-elected for a second term to run from 1 July this year. Hale, who will return for a second term of two years, has been with the firm since 1983 and was made a partner in 1987.
A specialist in UK and international M&A, Hale acted as head of corporate since 2003 before being elected senior partner for the first time in 2013.
Managing partner David Patient said: ‘Over the years Chris has made a huge contribution to our firm, and in the last few years has brought tremendous energy and leadership to the role of senior partner.
‘I look forward to continuing to work alongside Chris in an exciting period in the firm’s development, and a fascinating time for law firms in the UK generally.’
Hale added: ‘During my second term I will continue to drive our firm’s focus on achieving excellence in everything we do. This includes providing first-class client service across sectors and practice areas, professionalisation of our support services and the further development of a truly diverse and inclusive culture to continue to attract the best people to Travers Smith.’
Hale, along with Patient has been successful in charting a course for Travers that has seen it become one of the top-performing firms in the City in recent years, a strategy that Hale outlined when appointed senior partner four years ago: ‘To be the best, or among the best, in the areas of practice on which [the firm] focuses, advising principally on English law from one main financial centre, London. This model is shared by two other law firms in particular, Slaughter and May and Macfarlanes.’
As a former head of corporate, Hale has maintained his strong reputation for client work. In September 2016, Hale was instrumental in a $1.1bn deal that saw Canada Pension Plan Investment (CPPIB) buy Ascot Underwriting Holdings, a Lloyds of London insurer linked to American International Group (AIG). Hale represented Travers Smith in advising Ascot, leading a team that included tax partner Kathleen Russ.
The experienced partner also provided expertise to Argus Media during their £1bn buy-out buy US company General Atlantic in May 2016. Travers Smith’s team was led by Hale, working alongside private equity partner Ian Shawyer and tax partners Jessica Kemp and Russell Warren.
tom.baker@legalease.co.uk