The candidates to take over as Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer's next chief executive have emerged as Ted Burke and Will Lawes set out their case to take the senior partner role at the firm's partnership conference in Paris.

Current chief executive Burke (pictured) has indicated that he would appoint Cologne-based global tax head Stephan Eilers as his successor if he were to be elected as senior partner.

However, Burke has agreed to remain in his role as chief executive as his rival's chosen appointment if financial institutions group head Will Lawes wins the senior partner role.

Under Freshfields' governance structure, the incoming senior partner appoints the firm's chief executive and managing partner, which is set to be vacated by Peter Jeffcote.

The senior partner election is set to kick off imminently with the firm expecting a decision by October.

In June the firm confirmed its final shortlist of candidates for the senior partner role after initial nominations from the partnership. The initial line-up included competition partner Deirdre Trapp and former global corporate head Andreas Fabritius; however, Burke and Lawes were the only two to confirm their intention to stand for election.

Earlier this year the firm also decided to phase out its legacy dual senior partner model – which it inherited following its 2000 merger with top tier German practice Bruckhaus Westrick Heller Loeber – in favour of a single position. Current co-senior partner Guy Morton and Konstantin Mettenheimer are to step down later this year.