Olswang is set to hold its election to find a replacement for former chief executive David Stewart in May this year.

In October, Stewart stepped down from his leadership role, just 18 months after he was re-elected to the position. Since then, European patent litigation head and intellectual property partner Michael Burdon has been acting as interim chief executive.

At the time the firm said it would take between six and 12 months to elect Stewart's replacement but today a spokesperson for the firm said the election is now set to take place in May.

She said: "When Michael Burdon was appointed as interim chief executive last October, Olswang confirmed that the process to identify a new chief executive could potentially take between six and 12 months."

"We anticipate that the elections will be held at the beginning of the new financial year (which starts in May) and will provide an update on the selection process in due course."

After the election, Burdon will return to full time client work, which he is continuing with during his term as chief executive, the spokesperson said.

She added: "Michael Burdon continues to act as interim chief executive at Olswang as we review candidates for the position."

Stewart was appointed to a second-three-year term in May 2013. He was first appointed as the firm's chief executive in 2010, when it dropped its managing partner position.

Prior to the appointment, he had had been managing partner at the firm since 2007.

Olswang is set to hold its election to find a replacement for former chief executive David Stewart in May this year.

In October, Stewart stepped down from his leadership role, just 18 months after he was re-elected to the position. Since then, European patent litigation head and intellectual property partner Michael Burdon has been acting as interim chief executive.

At the time the firm said it would take between six and 12 months to elect Stewart's replacement but today a spokesperson for the firm said the election is now set to take place in May.

She said: "When Michael Burdon was appointed as interim chief executive last October, Olswang confirmed that the process to identify a new chief executive could potentially take between six and 12 months."

"We anticipate that the elections will be held at the beginning of the new financial year (which starts in May) and will provide an update on the selection process in due course."

After the election, Burdon will return to full time client work, which he is continuing with during his term as chief executive, the spokesperson said.

She added: "Michael Burdon continues to act as interim chief executive at Olswang as we review candidates for the position."

Stewart was appointed to a second-three-year term in May 2013. He was first appointed as the firm's chief executive in 2010, when it dropped its managing partner position.

Prior to the appointment, he had had been managing partner at the firm since 2007.