Allen & Overy (A&O) has re-elected its top management duo, with senior partner David Morley and managing partner Wim Dejonghe automatically appointed after no one came forward to stand against them.

The firm's partners had been invited to nominate themselves to Electoral Reform Services, an external company independently managing the election process, with candidates due to be announced next week. However, since nobody is standing against the incumbents their reappointment is automatic.

It had been widely expected that the pair would be re-elected for another four-year term, which will begin on 1 May.

One A&O partner commented: "Partners are generally happy with the financial results and there is a very clear strategy at the firm. They also get on well as a team so there is no drama. They are both talented people that you want to keep in the business."

Morley and Dejonghe were appointed to their current roles in A&O's last management elections in 2008. During their time at the helm they have overseen expansion into Australia, Turkey, Indonesia and Morocco. The firm's financial performance has also been relatively strong, with revenue increasing by 6.7% in 2010-11 to £1.12bn and profits holding steady at £1.1m per equity partner.

News of A&O's management elections comes as Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) managing partner Neville Eisenberg's term is also set to come to a close in April 2012.

Eisenberg, who has already completed four three-year terms at the helm, is expected to run again, with a vote likely to take place in March this year.

Other potential candidates suggested by some within the firm include real estate head Robert MacGregor and banking and capital markets chief Matthew Kellett. No-one has formally put themselves forward to date and partners expect an uncontested election.

One BLP partner commented: "I can't think of a single partner who would say that they wouldn't vote for Neville to carry on. He has such strong support internally and has done a very good job for the firm over the last decade."

Eisenberg was elected as managing partner at Berwin Leighton in 1999 prior to its 2001 merger with Paisner & Co.