Gideon Moore's success at the helm of the firm's banking practice and his skilful handling of partnership townhall meetings were key to his selection as Linklaters' next managing partner, according to partners at the firm.

Moore won a tight race for the firm's managing partner crown earlier this week, edging aside Asia managing partner Marc Harvey and litigation head Michael Bennett to be selected by the partnership board to succeed incumbent Simon Davies.

Partners say that his victory, which still needs to be ratified by the partnership, was the result of his personality and experience, rather than a vote for a particular philosophy or strategy.

A Linklaters partner said that there was a "general" and "consensual" discussion during the hustings of issues such as US strategy, remuneration reviews and the relationship between management and partnership, with none of the candidates "nailing extreme ideas to the mast."

His finance background may give him a health warning so far as other parts of the firm are concerned because he is quite mothership centralised

Moore's role as head of the firm's banking practice however was key to his victory.

He was appointed head of banking in 2011, after previous post-holder, Robert Elliott, was elected as the firm's senior partner. The increasing importance of the banking practice at the firm is illustrated by the fact that Elliott's appointment marked the first time a banking lawyer had held the top job at Linklaters.

A former partner describes the banking practice as "a trophy business, probably the best banking business in the market", adding: "and Gideon has been instrumental in bringing that on."

His successful stewardship of the high profile team is seen as one of the key factors in his defeat of litigation head Bennett and Asia head Harvey, with one former partner saying litigation simply "is not one of the big, powerhouse businesses".

However, the race was seen by Linklaters sources as a tight one, with one partner saying: "People would have been supportive of any of them, it was a pretty good process."

Sources close to the race said that his handling of the townhall meetings and his public speaking also helped to sway the firm's partnership board in favour of selecting him.

Moore (pictured below right) will succeed Davies in January 2016 after the latter announced in July that he will step down early from the role to join Lloyds Bank.

The reaction of current and former partners to Moore's appointment has been favourable.

A former partner says: "He is a smart guy and he has a lot of experience from his role in developing a successful banking department," adding that "he is a nice chap and a fairly normal guy as well."

A current partner adds: "He is strong and decisive, but personable and good humoured and a good guy to deal with."

Another former partner however warns that he may be seen by some as too closely aligned both the finance practice and the London office.

"He is a strong market operator, he has a strong business sense and he is widely respected in key areas of the firm particularly in London and on the finance side. This may give him a health warning so far as other parts of the firm are concerned because he is quite mothership centralised," he says.

Another praises Moore's technical skills saying: "Gideon is an extraordinary lawyer, a great leader and a great talent," adding "Robert and Gideon will be a brilliant team."

However, with senior partner Robert Elliott set to finish his term in September 2016, the next year will result in an entirely new leadership team at the top of the firm.

Another former partner predicts that the new team will usher in a change in the way that the firm is run, "it depends on the dynamic between him and whoever the ultimate successor to Robert is," he says, "there won't be a right way or a wrong way but there will be a different way."

According to some Moore will have "myriad issues" to deal with, including "lockstep issues, US strategy, harmonising local profitability, low cost centres and making sure you are able to respond to changes in the market."

The first hurdle he faces is the partnership vote on his appointment which will take place at the firm's 17 November partnership conference. Davies initially failed to gain the required majority to secure his re-appointment to the role in 2012, only being appointed after a second round of voting.

A Linklaters partner predicts a smoother ride for Moore, "we have moved past that economic cycle," he says.

Instead, Moore's appointment comes at a time of change for the firm, with the leadership team that steered the firm through the recession stepping down, and a new set of challenges on the horizon.

It remains to be seen what Moore's period at the helm of the 177-year old firm will bring, but it is clear that his election heralds a change in style from the previous leadership.