SJ Berwin EU and competition head Stephen Kon has become the first candidate to put himself forward for the firm's senior partner role following Jonathan Blake's announcement that he will not stand for a third term.

Blake, whose tenure will come to an end on 30 April, informed SJ Berwin's partners earlier this month (3 February) that he would not seek re-election.

SJ Berwin partners expect that further candidates will step forward to contest the role before the end of the nominations process, which is being led by managing partner Rob Day.

It is understood that no-one else has yet officially thrown their hat in the ring, although potential candidates cited include City litigator Hilton Mervis, who previously stood unsuccessfully for the managing partner role, and litigation head Craig Pollack, although the lattter is currently on sabbatical from the firm.

As previously reported by Legal Week, Kon has been identified as the most likely successor to Blake following his longstanding role as co-ordinator of the firm's international strategy. He resigned last year with the intention of joining US firm Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy's London office but was persuaded by Blake to stay on at the firm.

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 its senior partner can serve.

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