Walker Morris is set to conduct a management overhaul abolishing the chairman position to return to a dual management structure of non-executive chairman and managing partner.

Long-serving chairman Peter Smart, one of Yorkshire's best-known corporate lawyers, is set to stand down next month after nine years at the helm of Yorkshire leader when his third term as chairman comes to an end.

Smart (pictured), who turns 60 this year – the Leeds-based law firm's mandatory retirement age – will remain as partner in the corporate department until May 2011, when he will then become a consultant.

Smart will be replaced by pensions head Andrew Turnbull and corporate partner Ian Gilbert as non-executive chairman and managing partner respectively. The duo, who will split management duties in a bid to continuing fee earning, were appointed following a uncontested election.

Turnbull will deal with all internal governance issues while Gilbert will take an outward-facing role as well as overseeing the firm's strategic direction. The move will see a return to the management structure that was abandoned in 2001 following the appointment of Smart as chairman.

Smart commented: "When I became chairman we consolidated two roles and that worked very well, but now the thinking is that it will be a good idea to split them again to enable the individuals to continue interfacing with clients."

He added: "I have been enormously proud to have been involved in the management and development of Walker Morris over such a long time, but now it is the time for the next generation to take the firm to new heights."

The tenure of Smart consolidated Walker Morris's position as one of the UK's leading regional practices.