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.