In Contested Election, Baker McKenzie's London Head Wins Second Term
An antitrust London partner had contested Alex Chadwick for the position.
November 19, 2019 at 06:27 AM
3 minute read
The original version of this story was published on Law.com
Current Baker McKenzie London managing partner Alex Chadwick has been re-elected following a contested election.
He fought off competition from antitrust partner and fellow London management committee member Samantha Mobley to be named to a second three-year term in the position.
The duo were the only candidates for the role, according to people with knowledge of the situation.
Chadwick has spent his whole career at the firm. According to his LinkedIn profile, he joined the firm as a trainee in 1990 and made partner nine years later. He led the firm's tax practice in London from 2006 to 2016 before being appointed London head, succeeding Paul Rawlinson.
Commenting on Chadwick's first term, one current partner at the firm said he has done "tremendously well."
"The partnership is very supportive of him," particularly given the tumultuous couple of years through which he guided the London office, the partner added.
That period included the sudden passing of Rawlinson, who was the firm's global chair, and the emergence of an allegation of sexual assault against former London head Gary Senior.
Chadwick said in a statement: "I am very honored to be elected managing partner of Baker McKenzie in London once more. I am grateful to have an opportunity to build on the progress we have achieved so far and to continue expanding Baker McKenzie's presence in London, as the City remains a vitally important financial center for the firm."
One current partner said he has been a "good leader." Another said he has done "amazingly well" in his first term, and that people in the London office are "happy with his appointment."
Speaking to Legal Week two years ago, Chadwick said the firm was aiming for more "substantial growth" during his time in the role. He aimed to boost partner head count in its London transactional teams.
Since then the firm has hired a number of high-profile transactional partners in London, including tax partner Prabhu Narasimhan and capital markets partners Rob Mathews and David Becker from White & Case, longtime Ashurst corporate partner Nick Bryans, and, most recently, Kirkland & Ellis private equity partner Justin Hutchinson.
Last year, the firm grew its London turnover by 15% to hit £216.3 million ($280 million), while its operating profits rose 13% to reach £91.5 million ($118.4 million).
The election is the most recent senior appointment within the international firm.
Last month, Baker McKenzie voted in a new chair to replace acting head Jaime Trujillo. Hong Kong managing partner Milton Cheng took up the role, which had been occupied by Trujillo since Rawlinson died in April.
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