Gowling WLG appoints corporate partner UK chair as Witts steps down

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Gowling WLG appoints corporate partner UK chair as Witts steps down

Gowling WLG has elected a corporate partner chair of its UK LLP, with incumbent Andrew Witts standing down after more than eight years and multiple mergers.

M&A and private equity partner Andy Stylianou (pictured) will become the firm’s chair from May 2020 on a four-year term, the firm said today (12 November). He was already chair of Gowling’s UK partnership’s representative council and a founding member of its diversity forum. Continue reading “Gowling WLG appoints corporate partner UK chair as Witts steps down”

New brooms – Asian coup for Bakers as Clydes, HSF and TLT announce leadership changes

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New brooms – Asian coup for Bakers as Clydes, HSF and TLT announce leadership changes

Anna Cole-Bailey rounds up the latest management reshuffles at home and abroad

The autumn saw significant c-suite changes announced at Global 100 and Legal Business 100 (LB100) players, with Baker McKenzie voting in Milton Cheng as its new chair in a victory for the Asia partnership, while the figureheads of Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF), TLT and Clyde & Co will step down to pave the way for successors. Continue reading “New brooms – Asian coup for Bakers as Clydes, HSF and TLT announce leadership changes”

Rigotti to stand down in 2020 as HSF starts search for a new leader

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Rigotti to stand down in 2020 as HSF starts search for a new leader

Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) CEO Mark Rigotti is to stand down from his role next year, with the firm now priming itself to select a new leader once his term ends on 30 April.

The firm’s council will be the body appointing the new CEO, and is at the early stages of launching a selection process for Rigotti’s successor. The new incumbent will occupy the sole CEO position after the firm switched from a dual model in 2017. Continue reading “Rigotti to stand down in 2020 as HSF starts search for a new leader”

Clyde & Co further reshuffles leadership with internal CEO appointment

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Clyde & Co further reshuffles leadership with internal CEO appointment

Clyde & Co has completed its management turnover by replacing long-standing chief executive Peter Hasson with chief operating officer Matthew Kelsall.

Kelsall’s (pictured) appointment is effective from 1 January 2020 and comes after the firm elected Peter Hirst its new senior partner, replacing Simon Konsta from November 1. Hirst and the Clydes’ management board led the chief executive recruitment process. Continue reading “Clyde & Co further reshuffles leadership with internal CEO appointment”

Fantastic platform: TLT managing partner Pester to stand down after 19 years

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Fantastic platform: TLT managing partner Pester to stand down after 19 years

Long-standing TLT managing partner David Pester is to be replaced by corporate head John Wood (pictured) after 19 years in the top role.

The Bristol-based LB100 firm said today (1 October) Wood, who has been at TLT since 2000 and head of corporate since 2003, will take over from April next year. Pester will remain at the firm in a strategic role to be specified later. Continue reading “Fantastic platform: TLT managing partner Pester to stand down after 19 years”

Asia coup for Bakers as partnership chooses Hong Kong’s Cheng as new chair

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Asia coup for Bakers as partnership chooses Hong Kong’s Cheng as new chair

The partnership of global giant Baker McKenzie has voted in Milton Cheng to become the firm’s next chair.

A Bakers lifer, Cheng (pictured) currently serves as the firm’s Hong Kong managing partner, as well as chief executive for the Asia-Pacific region. Cheng will officially take over the role on 17 October, replacing acting global chair Jaime Trujillo, and is set to serve a four-year term. His appointment marks the first time a partner from the Asia practice has taken the top role at the firm. Continue reading “Asia coup for Bakers as partnership chooses Hong Kong’s Cheng as new chair”

Three in the race to be next Bakers chair as partners prepare to vote

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Three in the race to be next Bakers chair as partners prepare to vote

Baker McKenzie EMEA chief executive Fiona Carlin (pictured), Hong Kong managing partner Milton Cheng and North America head Colin Murray have made the final stage of the election process to become the firm’s next chair.

Bakers’ seven-strong appointments committee drew up the shortlist of three candidates earlier this week following soundings with partners over the summer, whittled down from a list of six contenders who had initially been in the running. Continue reading “Three in the race to be next Bakers chair as partners prepare to vote”

‘Focus and speed’: A&O to fast-track US investment after foiled O’Melveny merger with new hires imminent

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‘Focus and speed’: A&O to fast-track US investment after foiled O’Melveny merger with new hires imminent

Andrew Ballheimer, Allen & Overy’s (A&O’s) global managing partner, has promised heavy investment in its US practice in the wake of the City giant’s abandoned tie-up with O’Melveny & Myers, saying new US hires are on the verge of being announced.

Speaking to Legal Business on Friday (6 September), Ballheimer said the market could expect ‘more focus and speed of execution’ in the Magic Circle firm’s US recruitment push as new partners, including US lawyers, have recently been voted in by the partnership. Continue reading “‘Focus and speed’: A&O to fast-track US investment after foiled O’Melveny merger with new hires imminent”

Kennedys looks to ensure next stage of growth with first managing partner

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Kennedys looks to ensure next stage of growth with first managing partner

Kennedys has appointed its first global managing partner following a sustained period of growth which has seen turnover increase 70% in the last five years on the back of expansion into 37 international offices.

Suzanne Liversidge (pictured), who joined the insurance and shipping specialist as the head of its Sheffield office in 2010, was today (20 August) appointed the firm’s first managing partner. She will work alongside the firm’s senior partner of more than 20 years, Nick Thomas, who was re-elected to a fifth term in 2017. Continue reading “Kennedys looks to ensure next stage of growth with first managing partner”

Latham turns focus to Manhattan as chair Trobman relocates from London

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Latham turns focus to Manhattan as chair Trobman relocates from London

Latham & Watkins’ leadership is moving out of London after four years with City-based chair and managing partner Rich Trobman is set to relocate to his native US just over a year into his first term at the helm of the firm.

The firm confirmed today (29 July) that Trobman is moving to its New York branch almost 20 years after relocating to London in 2000 in a symbolic shift for the partnership of the Los Angeles-born firm. Continue reading “Latham turns focus to Manhattan as chair Trobman relocates from London”