With a host of magic circle management elections on the horizon it is set to be all change at the top for the UK's leading firms in the next 18 months or so.

Earlier this week Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer became the first of the group to replace its top figures, with former corporate head Edward Braham taking on the senior partner mantle from incumbent Will Lawes, alongside a wider management reshuffle. Meanwhile, Slaughter and May's Chris Saul confirmed that he is to retire when his term ends, and names are beginning to circulate well in advance of Linklaters' leadership elections. Senior reporter Anna Ward reviews the merry-go-round while deputy editor Charlotte Edmond takes a look at why rainmakers so often step into management roles.

With a penchant for reading cereal packet Ts & Cs, Slaughters corporate partner Rebecca Cousin outlines why she was destined to become a lawyer in our latest dealmaker.