Addleshaw Goddard senior partner Paul Lee has announced that he is to step down at the end of his current term.

Lee told the firm today (8 December) that intends to step down at the end of April after 12 years at the firm's helm.

Lee (pictured) will remain at the UK top 20 firm as a partner and continue to build relationships with the firm's key clients and develop Addleshaws' international strategy as a member of the firm's international committee. He will also continue as a fee earner in the corporate practice.

A nominations committee consisting of non-executive board members Margaret Salmon and Philip Johnson and partner board members Simon Kamstra and Richard Lee has been set up to discuss succession issues.

The committee will consult with partners about the duties and responsibilities of the senior partner role and discuss candidates to take up the position going forward.

Lee became managing partner of Addleshaw Sons & Latham in 1991 and senior partner of Addleshaw Booth & Co in 1997, before the 2003 merger with Theodore Goddard when he took up the Addleshaws senior partner role.

Lee said: "After more than 12 years as senior partner, I believe this is the right time for a change. Today's announcement allows for an orderly succession plan to be implemented."

He added: "We have agreed the firm's strategy for the next five years, and it is appropriate that the implementation of this strategy rests with Paul Devitt, our new managing partner, and the next generation of partners who will take responsibility for leading the firm through the next important and exciting stages of its growth."