Photo: Diego M. Radzinschi/ALM

Hogan Lovells has nominated London partner Michael Davison as its next deputy CEO.

The nomination follows the recommendation of Asia-Pacific and Middle East chief executive Miguel Zaldivar as its next CEO.

The firm has unanimously recommended global head of arbitration, litigation and employment Davison as a successor to outgoing current deputy CEO David Hudd.

The recommendation is conditional on Zaldivar's appointment being agreed by the partnership through a mandatory vote, with the outcome expected later this month.

Davison has spent his entire career at Hogan Lovells. He first joined legacy Lovells as a trainee in 1986, and succeeded incumbent CEO Steve Immelt as leader of the litigation, arbitration and employment practice in 2013. He has also been a member of the management committee since then.

Davison spent six years in the firm's Paris office before relocating to London in 1997. He is also active in the firm's pro bono work, having provided legal advice and representation to veterans, as well as to families whose relatives died in resident care homes in South Wales. He is also the executive sponsor for the firm's Race and Ethnicity at Hogan Lovells Network.

Hogan Lovells chairman Leopold von Gerlach said: "The board is unanimous in supporting Miguel's choice and is very pleased that Michael has agreed to bring his leadership experience and capabilities to the role of deputy CEO. He has a very strong track record as a long-serving practice group leader and is well positioned throughout the firm to take on the role."

Zaldivar and Davison's four-year terms will begin on July 1, 2020, at which point current CEO Steve Immelt and deputy CEO David Hudd will step down, after six years in their respective roles.

Last month, Law.com's Legal Week revealed that Davison was among the six partners in the running for the CEO role.

Davison said in a statement: "Miguel has a very clear sense of where he wants to take the firm with a sharp focus on client service, investment in our key markets, incentivising collaboration across the partnership, managing our profitability and supporting diversity and inclusion. He and I share this thinking and I am looking forward to working with him."