Linklaters has overhauled its international board, with partners electing seven new members to represent both regions and practice groups on the firm's main oversight body.

Three of the changes are in London where corporate partner Charlie Jacobs, banking partner David Ereira and tax partner Lynne Walkington – who each held one of the two places held for London corporate; London finance & projects and London commercial respectively – stepped down from the board when the vote was confirmed last week (18 May).

They have been replaced by William Buckley for London corporate; intellectual property partner Ian Karet for London commercial; and co-head of structured finance Nick Syson, who takes over from Ereira in the finance post.

Outside London, Asia board member Andrew Carmichael, who is planning to return to London later this year, has been replaced with Hong Kong- corporate partner Teresa Ma.

In Continental Europe Paris finance partner Philippe Herbelin is the new board member for France, with local finance partner Nathalie Hobbs coming off to focus on fee-earning work. Duesseldorf-based Ralph Wollburg, who represented Germany on the firm-wide supervisory body, has been replaced by Munich insurance partner Wolfgang Krauel. Southern Europe representative Jorge Bleck, who is based in Lisbon, will also step down from his role, with Milan finance partner Davide Mencacci replacing him.

Meanwhile Benelux board member Pieter Riemer has been re-elected to serve another three-year term on the international board, which is chaired by senior partner Robert Elliott.

All of the new appointments are for three years, with partners able to serve a maximum of two terms. Linklaters made five changes in 2009 and two changes in 2006.

This larger shake-up this year follows partner discontent at the way Linklaters' management communicated plans including the firm's recent partner restructuring.

The unhappiness meant managing partner Simon Davies initially failed to achieve the 75% majority vote required to secure his reappointment due a partner protest at the way management handled decisions. He was reappointed at the firm's partner meeting in April.

Fourteen of the board's 16 members are elected, with seven partners representing core regional practices and seven representing core practice areas. They sit alongside Elliott and Davies.

Linklaters International Board in full:
Simon Davies – managing partner
Robert Elliott – senior partner
Davide Mencacci – South Europe
Alberto Luzarraga – Americas
Teresa Ma – Asia
John Goodwin – EEMEA and Sweden
Philippe Herbelin – France
Eva Reudelhuber – Germany
Pieter Riemer – Benelux
Ian Karet – London commercial
Greg Reid – London commercial
Wolfgang Krauel – Germany
William Buckley – London corporate
Tom Shropshire – London corporate
Nick Syson – London F&P
Michael Kent – London F&P