Partners at global giant Clifford Chance (CC) have approved the proposed shake-up of its leadership put forward by chief executive officer Peter Cornell, effectively firing the starting gun for a series of elections for its top management roles in September.

Partners at the firm were informed of the result following a global partner vote, which closed on Monday (15 July).

One CC partner told Legal Director's sister title Legal Week: "The proposals have been accepted and we are now planning for the elections in September."

Under the new corporate governance model, all management positions appointed at the time of the firm's three-way merger in 2000 are up for grabs, including global practice heads and regional managing partners.

The proposed shake-up will see Cornell become managing partner of the firm with the currently vacant chairman's role to be filled by an elected senior partner.

As well as securing a fresh mandate for the team running the world's biggest law firm, the new model is intended to slim down CC's management, reflecting Cornell's pledge to lead the firm with more input from partners.

The recently-appointed chief operating officer, Philip Palmer, will, however, remain in his position for a further three years.

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