Paul Rawlinson

The former global chair of Baker McKenzie, Paul Rawlinson, died by suicide, an inquest into his death heard on Wednesday, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.

The inquest, which took place virtually on Wednesday by the Surrey Coroner's Court in the U.K., heard that Rawlinson died by suicide last year after suffering an "acute depressive illness."

Rawlinson was being treated at Swiss rehabilitation center Kusnacht Practice in Zurich when he died at aged 56 in April 2019.

Rawlinson had temporarily stepped down from his role as global chair in October 2018 due to "exhaustion."

"Paul's sudden death in April 2019 was a tragedy, most obviously for his family, but also for Baker McKenzie, where he had been a long serving partner and inspirational leader in various roles. He was a man of enormous charisma and energy," Baker McKenzie said in a statement Wednesday. "The circumstances surrounding Paul's death are a private matter for his family and we continue to request appropriate respect for that. As painful as events have been for his many friends and colleagues in the firm, our thoughts throughout have been with Paul's wife and children, and will continue to be, as they move forward."

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