Allen & Overy‘s veteran leader David Morley remarked sometimes that in running a law firm, success or failure is less about the decisions you make and more the ability to communicate what you are doing and why. Though directed at his own firm, the observation speaks to much of what ailed Linklaters over the last four years as a chasm opened between its leadership and partnership.
In the race: A&O announces candidates for upcoming management elections
Allen & Overy (A&O) has confirmed eight candidates for its upcoming management elections which are to take place in February.
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After Harvard Kool-Aid and lost years can Moore galvanise Linklaters?
Allen & Overy (A&O)’s veteran leader David Morley remarked sometimes that in running a law firm, success or failure is less about the decisions you make and more the ability to communicate what you are doing and why. Though directed at his own firm, the observation speaks to much of what ailed Linklaters over the last four years as a chasm opened between its leadership and partnership.
In managing partner Simon Davies and senior partner Robert Elliott, Linklaters had intelligent and energetic leaders intent on taking tough decisions to reposition the firm after the banking crisis. What was forgotten during a series of restructurings was that the partnership needed to be brought along to achieve their purpose. A decision can be absolutely valid but still entirely wrong if you can’t get the majority of your partnership to believe in it, not just grudgingly rubberstamp it.
Continue reading “After Harvard Kool-Aid and lost years can Moore galvanise Linklaters?”
‘A straight shooter’: Linklaters partners vote in Gideon Moore
Banking head takes over as Davies departs for Lloyds
Linklaters global banking head Gideon Moore defeated five other candidates to be appointed as the firm’s new managing partner in November, ending a four-month search.
Having been selected by Linklaters’ 13-strong partnership board as its next leader earlier in the month, the Magic Circle firm’s 450 partners gathered at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower in London to endorse his appointment on 17 November.
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The last champions – meet the leaders intent on sealing Freshfields’ place in the global elite
Freshfields remains the most potent of the City’s big four but modernising the 270-year-old institution has always been a delicate business. Legal Business meets the leadership team tasked with sealing its place in the global elite.
A City veteran, previously a partner at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, sums up the task ahead for the firm’s incoming leadership. ‘The biggest challenge it faces is how it will retain its leading position in an increasingly competitive market. They are running a few initiatives to tackle this and have been reasonably creative. They are willing to challenge a few taboos but are taking their time. Time they don’t have.’
Guest post: The future is uncertain – how to still make the decisions you’re putting off anyway
Presumably you make decisions all the time, in managing your matters, selecting strategies and tactics, and of course outside the work environment as well – with your spouse or significant other, family, and pets; in the context of your church, synagogue, club, neighbourhood; and on and on.
‘Tremendously positive’: Linklaters partners vote in Gideon Moore as its next managing partner
The 450-strong partnership at Linklaters gathered today at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower in London to pass through the appointment of Gideon Moore as the Magic Circle firm’s new managing partner.
Senior partner Stedman to retire as Nabarro prepares for spring election
Nabarro has announced today (17 October) its senior partner Graham Stedman will retire from the firm next April, and an election for his successor will be held in the spring.
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Six frontrunners emerge from pack in A&O management race
With next year set to be senior partner David Morley’s and global managing partner Wim Dejonghe’s final terms at Allen & Overy (A&O), three names have emerged as primary candidates to take over each role one month ahead of formal nominations.
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Business as usual: WLG’s Andrew Witts wins contested election for chair
Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co (WLG) chairman Andrew Witts has been re-elected to serve as chairman for a further four years, after serving an initial two-year term after the merger between Wragges and Lawrence Graham (LG).
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