Clayton Utz partner Simon Truskett has been elected chair of independent law firm network Lex Mundi.

Truskett, a senior partner in the Australian firm's corporate and M&A group, was elected to the role by the international network's board of directors at its annual meeting in Vienna this month (10 September).

He takes over the position from Houthoff Buruma partner Michiel Wesseling, who will continue to serve on the body's executive committee.

Truskett commented: "I look forward to enhancing the visibility of Lex Mundi and its member firms and to demonstrating the strength of Lex Mundi as an unparalleled network of top-tier firms around the globe for handling complex cross-border transactions and disputes for multinational clients."

At the same meeting, Lex Mundi also elected Bass Berry & Sims public finance partner Keith Simmons to the position of chair elect and Gide Loyrette Nouel corporate partner Nadege Nguyen to secretary.

The network also elected four new members to the board of directors, comprising Baker Botts commercial partner James DeMent, Jun He Law Offices corporate partner Audrey Chen, Alston Bird corporate finance partner Christopher Mangum and Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice chairman Keith Vaughan.

Former chairs of the Lex Mundi alliance include ex-Maclay Murray & Spens chairman Michael Walker and Noerr dispute resolution head Michael Molitoris.