No politics, please – Macfarlanes names new head two years before high profile chief stands down

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No politics, please – Macfarlanes names new head two years before high profile chief stands down

For most law firms, nailing down your c-suite successor two years in advance may look excessive, but when your leader is a veteran who could give Nigel Knowles a run for his money in industry prominence, it may be a wise move.

Such appears to be the logic at mid-tier thoroughbred Macfarlanes, which has confirmed today (8 January), that its print-friendly senior partner Charles Martin (pictured) will be succeeded in April 2020 when his latest term ends by private client partner Sebastian Prichard Jones. Continue reading “No politics, please – Macfarlanes names new head two years before high profile chief stands down”

He took the high road: Brodies ushers in next generation as veteran leader Drummond steps down

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He took the high road: Brodies ushers in next generation as veteran leader Drummond steps down

Hyperbole and cliché over the end of an era can be justifiably deployed this morning (5 January) with news that Brodies’ figurehead Bill Drummond is to step down in April after 20 years as managing partner of the Scottish firm he joined as a trainee in 1980.

Drummond (pictured) will make way for current real estate head Nick Scott, representing a handover to a younger generation of leadership after a hugely successful run that has seen Brodies emerge as the most successful independent Scottish firm. After driving some phenomenal financial growth as managing partner, Drummond’s immediate plans include taking a break and spending time with family. Continue reading “He took the high road: Brodies ushers in next generation as veteran leader Drummond steps down”

Better Call Saul: Osborne Clarke re-elects veteran senior partner

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Better Call Saul: Osborne Clarke re-elects veteran senior partner

Osborne Clarke (OC), one of only three firms in the current UK top 100 to have more than doubled its revenue organically since 2012, has seen Andrew Saul re-elected as senior partner for a second four-year term.

Saul (pictured), a corporate partner at the firm for more than 21 years and head of that team for seven years, was voted in unopposed to the position he first took on at the start of 2014. He will remain a member of OC’s international council with his re-election. Continue reading “Better Call Saul: Osborne Clarke re-elects veteran senior partner”

Dentons re-elects Cohen as UKME chief as UK managing partner steps down

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Dentons re-elects Cohen as UKME chief as UK managing partner steps down

Jeremy Cohen will lead Dentons’ UK and Middle East operations until 2021 after the partnership approved him for a second term following an election in which he stood unopposed.

Meanwhile, the firm also announced today (14 December) that UK managing partner Brandon Ransley has decided to step down from his role in April 2018 and retire from the partnership. Continue reading “Dentons re-elects Cohen as UKME chief as UK managing partner steps down”

Taylor Wessing elects new senior partner as season of change for firm continues

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Days after veteran managing partner Tim Eyles announced he is stepping down next year, Taylor Wessing has elected Dominic FitzPatrick as its new senior partner, effective immediately.

Private equity specialist and a former head of the firm’s energy group, FitzPatrick replaces Adam Marks after six years. Continue reading “Taylor Wessing elects new senior partner as season of change for firm continues”

‘It’s no different to being a deal lawyer’ – Jacobs reflects on a year at Linklaters’ helm

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‘It’s no different to being a deal lawyer’ – Jacobs reflects on a year at Linklaters’ helm

Last October, Linklaters’ Charlie Jacobs took over as senior partner amid high hopes that the rainmaker would bring flair and dynamism to leadership at a City giant that looked in danger of losing its way. One year on, Legal Business sat down with Jacobs to discuss progress made.

On taking the senior partner role:

‘When I stood for senior partner, I had a lot of questions: “Why are you doing this? Why don’t you wait a few years?” I wanted to set the tone. There is a lot going on in our industry and we could do with someone dynamic and at a young age. Continue reading “‘It’s no different to being a deal lawyer’ – Jacobs reflects on a year at Linklaters’ helm”

Focus: A confident handover for its veteran MP but Taylor Wessing still faces some big decisions post-Eyles

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With an three terms under his belt it was not a shock that Taylor Wessing’s UK managing partner Tim Eyles has ruled himself out of another run but the impending handover will still be a significant changing of the guard.

‘This is a firm where nine years is a very long time,’ says one partner. ‘Tim thought it was time for a new pair of hands on the job.’ Another adds: ‘Tim broke the mould in doing a third term. He has done a transformational job on the firm.’ Continue reading “Focus: A confident handover for its veteran MP but Taylor Wessing still faces some big decisions post-Eyles”

Eversheds Sutherland elects Thompson chair in second female C-suite move in City Law this week

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Eversheds Sutherland elects Thompson chair in second female C-suite move in City Law this week

Eversheds Sutherland has elected the first-ever female chair of its UK-based international business, with financial services product head Pamela Thompson chosen today (5 December) over ‘a number of very strong candidates’.

Thompson will take the position of chair of the Eversheds Sutherland International LLP for a term of four years from next May, after incumbent Paul Smith did not stand for re-election.  Her main areas of practice include investment fund structuring and establishment and financial services regulatory work. She said: ‘I am honoured to have been elected chair and I would like to thank my partners for the trust they have placed in me.’ Continue reading “Eversheds Sutherland elects Thompson chair in second female C-suite move in City Law this week”

Clifford Chance re-appoints Layton as managing partner – will the steady hand play as safe in his second term?

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Clifford Chance re-appoints Layton as managing partner – will the steady hand play as safe in his second term?

Clifford Chance (CC) has reappointed managing partner Matthew Layton for a second term.

Layton’s second term will run from 1 May 2018 for four years, coming after an uncontested election that reflects the substantial popularity he has at the City giant. Continue reading “Clifford Chance re-appoints Layton as managing partner – will the steady hand play as safe in his second term?”

NRF appoints first female chair as City veteran Parish steps down

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NRF appoints first female chair as City veteran Parish steps down

While Norton Rose Fulbright’s (NRF) chief executive Peter Martyr is closing in on two decades leading the firm, its C-suite will see a new face with Tricia Hobson becoming its first female chair and Stephen Parish stepping down as EMEA chair next spring.

NRF announced that Australia head Hobson will take over as global chair at the end of the year from the London-based Parish. Continue reading “NRF appoints first female chair as City veteran Parish steps down”