Eversheds is gearing up to install managing partner David Gray for a second three-year term, it has emerged, as the national giant moves to avoid another drawn-out management battle.

The national giant's management board is expected to this month complete the nomination process to elect the managing partner for when the new term begins on 1 April, 2006. However, no other serious candidates are expected to emerge to challenge Gray's re-election bid.

Eversheds chairman Alan Jenkins told Legal Week: {The current sense within the firm is that David [Gray] has done a very good job.{

He added: {It could also be that [any potential candidates] are keeping their powder dry for now, but as I see it there is no ground-swell towards a change at the firm.{

Jenkins heads up Eversheds' senior management election programme and is poised to nominate a partners' committee before the end of the month to oversee the election timetable, although a final decision is not expected until the end of the year.

The move reflects Eversheds' desire to avoid another contested election after what was regarded as a divisive contest in 2002 to choose a successor to outgoing head David Ansbro. The contest pitted Gray against London chief Michael Brown and former Birmingham senior partner Adrian Bland.

Meanwhile, in an unrelated move, Eversheds has installed Ipswich-based partner Jonathan Cripps as its new head of projects.

Cripps, who specialises in international project finance, PFI/PPP work and outsourcing, succeeds Stephen Matthew, who will return to full-time training.