Baker McKenzie has fired the starting gun on who will lead its London office next, as current managing partner Alex Chadwick's term nears its end.

The international firm's London arm has appointed a steering committee to identify possible candidates for its next leader, according to two London partners.

According to one partner, the group is currently holding husting meetings to discuss which partners should be shortlisted for the role.

Chadwick's three-year term is due to end in December, although he is not restricted to one term in the role and two Bakers partners told Legal Week he has been a popular leader.

The first partner said: "There is strong support for Alex to continue. He's had a rough ride and he's really risen to that."

Chadwick has led the firm through a tumultuous 18 months.

Last year, it grappled with its handling of a historical allegation of sexual assault, which resulted in a senior partner leaving. And earlier this year, it was rocked by the sudden death of global chairman and former London head Paul Rawlinson.

Chadwick also oversaw the firm's strong City financial results last year, when the firm's U.K. arm grew its turnover 15% to £216.3 million for the year to June 2018, up from £187.2 million in 2017.

A second partner at the firm told Legal Week: "He's done a fantastic job – I'm a huge fan. I'm particularly impressed by the way the profits have risen."

Operating profit soared to £91.5 million last year, a 13% rise from the previous year's figure of £80.7 million.

A firm spokesperson said in a statement: "We confirm Alex Chadwick's term as London managing partner ends on 31 December this year. We have started the normal process of canvassing candidates and will in due course elect a managing partner for a term commencing January 1, 2020."

Last week (June 25), Legal Week revealed that 46 London staff positions have been cut as the firm reviews its global professional and business services staff.