‘Adapt or die’ – K&L’s outspoken chief Kalis to stand down after 20 years at the helm of US giant

He has been one of the longest-serving and most outspoken law firm leaders in the conservative US legal market but Peter Kalis, the veteran head of K&L Gates, has confirmed that he is to finally step down after two decades running the US law firm.

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Cracking the whip: Addleshaws Joyce forced into action to push through recent partnership changes

Noted for introducing a more assertive style of management to Addleshaw Goddard since being elected as managing partner two years ago, it has emerged that John Joyce had to coax fixed-share partners to vote on recently agreed changes to the firm’s partnership deed.

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Q&A: Alan Mason – Freshfields ‘rest of continental Europe’ managing partner on Brexit, cross border M&A and more

Following his appointment as Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer‘s first regional managing partner for the ‘rest of continental Europe’ – for offices excluding Germany, Austria and central and eastern Europe – Paris-based corporate partner Alan Mason (pictured) speaks with Madeleine Farman about his plans to shape the role.

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Welcome to the John Joyce show: Addleshaws’ head aims to push national firm centre stage

Victoria Young and Kathryn McCann talk mergers, leaks and pay with Addleshaws’ no-nonsense head

For a firm until recently associated with dithering, drift and under-performance, Addleshaw Goddard has been in decisive mode of late. Over the last two years the national player has assumed a more assertive style under the leadership of managing partner John Joyce (pictured). Joyce, who took over after an unhappy period under predecessor Paul Devitt, quickly overhauled the firm’s strategy. But in truth, strategy changed little from that of Devitt and then senior partner Monica Burch. Transformed instead was the leadership style and managerial mood music from Joyce, a man who at times appears to be doing a parody of the bluff northerner but who pulls it off thanks to results and a good dose of humour and charisma. Not since Mark Jones at the height of his powers a decade ago has Addleshaws had such an unyielding operational grip on the tiller.

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