Addleshaw Goddard has overhauled its management structure with litigation partner Monica Burch taking over from senior partner Paul Lee at the helm after a contested election.

Burch (pictured) will take on the newly-created role of chairman of the board on 1 May for a three-year term when Paul Lee steps down as senior partner. Lee will remain as a partner in the corporate department.

Burch beat two high-profile candidates to take the post – litigation head Simon Twigden and the divisional managing partner of the firm's contentious and commercial division, Malcolm Pike.

The election process was initially kicked off in December, with the partnership informed of the result yesterday.

The role of chairman of the limited liability partnership, previously held by former managing partner Mark Jones, will now be incorporated into the new position. Burch will also be handed responsibility for governance aspects and client development.

Burch joined legacy firm Theodore Goddard as a trainee in 1988, and became a partner in 1999.

Lee commented: "With Monica as chairman and Paul Devitt as managing partner, the firm is in very good hands. They have the support of our partners and the wider business to help us to deliver on what really matters to our clients and create the best possible environment for the firm's talent to flourish."