CMS Cameron McKenna managing partner Duncan Weston has secured a second term in the role following a partner vote which closed on Friday afternoon (25 November).

Weston, who stood uncontested, needed to receive the backing of 51% of the partnership in order to seal his reappointment on 1 May 2012.

It is understood that Weston's manifesto included proposals to review partners' share of the equity, but partners are unclear whether this will mean changing the firm's modified lockstep structure, moving people up or down or de-equitising some partners in order to boost shares for others.

Weston was elected managing partner of the top 15 UK law firm in 2007, when he stood against corporate partner Louise Wallace, property head Edward Benzecry, commercial head Nigel Moore and corporate partner Niall McAlister.

He formally took over from predecessor Dick Tyler in the post on 1 May 2008, having previously managed the firm's Central and Eastern European practice.

CMS' revenues rose by just under 5% during 2010-11 to £225m, with profits per equity partner rising by 10.7% £500,200. A number of partners were asked to leave the firm at the beginning of this year, with the firm also spending £4.5m de-equitisating 16 partners in 2009-10. Other notable management moves during Weston's term to date include the decision to outsource the majority of the firm's back office function to Integreon which took effect in April this year.

Commenting on the process, one CMS partner said he was unsurprised that Weston was standing unopposed. He said: "You have got to understand law firm politics and it is always hard to stand against an incumbent. I think he has done an ok job as far as I'm concerned and I don't think there is any chance that he will not secure the required endorsement."

The election comes after Tyler, who went on to become executive partner of the CMS European network after serving as managing partner, took over as senior partner from Richard Price on 1 May this year. Tyler fought off competition from runner up Louise Wallace after candidates Andrew Ivison (banking and project finance) and Robert Lane (energy) were eliminated.