Eversheds chairman Alan Jenkins is facing a challenge to retain his role after three candidates put themselves forward for his position in a contested election.

The election process to appoint the firm's chairman kicked off last week, with transport chief and former London head Cornelius Medvei, international disputes head John Heaps and Cardiff head Alan Meredith all putting themselves forward for the role.

A decision is expected at the end of February, with the winning candidate set to start a four-year term on 1 May 2010.

Jenkins (pictured) saw his role split into three last year, with former chief executive David Gray appointed to the new role of chairman of Eversheds International and Stephen Hopkins taking on Jenkins' head of international role.

Jenkins retained responsibility for Eversheds LLP – which consists of the firm's offices in the UK, Paris, Copenhagen, the Middle East and Shanghai.

He took over the role of chairman from Keith James in 2004, and was re-elected in 2007 following an uncontested election.

Eversheds recently extended the duration of the chairman role from three to four years, while also setting a maximum of two terms, meaning that if Jenkins is re-elected, he can only serve one more four-year term.