SJ Berwin senior partner Jonathan Blake will not stand for a third term at the firm's helm, he confirmed earlier today (3 February).

Blake told partners today that he will step down from the role when his term closes on 30 April this year, ending months of speculation about whether not he would be seeking re-appointment.

SJ Berwin said Blake would now focus on leading the firm's funds practice and international expansion plans.

Blake was voted in as senior partner in 2005, replacing David Harrel. He was most recently re-elected for a three-year term in 2008 in an uncontested vote, with the term formally starting in 2009. SJ Berwin does not have a cap on the number of terms the senior partner can serve.

As previously reported by Legal Week, competition head Stephen Kon has been floated as a likely successor to Blake. Kon, who heads up the firm's international strategy, resigned last year with the intention of joining Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy's City office but was persuaded by Blake to stay on at the firm in the autumn.

A spokesperson said: "The partners of SJ Berwin thank Jonathan for his time and energy leading the firm over the last six years."

Managing partner Rob Day has started the process of selecting Blake's successor. Day took over his role in November 2010 when his predecessor Ralph Cohen stepped down 18 months ahead of the end of his term.