Linklaters has confirmed the final line-up for its new senior partner election process, with three candidates remaining in the running.

Former corporate chief David Barnes and fellow London corporate partner Richard Godden have dropped out of the race, leaving global head of banking Robert Elliott, European managing partner Jean-Pierre Blumberg and global head of litigation John Turnbull in contention to take over from incumbent senior partner David Cheyne when he steps down in September.

The firm's international board confirmed the final three names after soundings of the partnership, with partners told at a meeting last week.

The trio will now outline their agendas for the firm to the partnership, with the winning candidate to be selected by a vote before the end of the current financial year.

All three candidates have been linked with the role for several months, with Legal Week reporting the preliminary five-man shortlist in January, shortly after the election process kicked off. Partners had until the end of last month to add further names to the initial list.

One partner commented: "Although Blumberg is hugely respected in Europe and the UK alike, it seems as if he is the token European candidate in a race dominated by Elliott and Turnbull."

However, another added: "All three partners have put forward their ideas, and come across as very strong candidates. All three have a distinct vision for the firm. Blumberg especially strikes me as someone who could drive the firm forward."

Cheyne took up the role of senior partner in 2006, seeing off competition from current candidate Elliott and then head of finance Giles White to succeed Anthony Cann in the post.