Travers Smith elects Kathleen Russ as first-ever female senior partner
Former tax head will take over the role from Chris Hale in July 2019
November 13, 2018 at 05:05 AM
3 minute read
Travers Smith has elected tax partner Kathleen Russ to succeed Chris Hale as the firm's new senior partner.
Russ, who will become the first-ever female senior partner at Travers, joins only a handful of other women to hold the title at City law firms.
Russ will take over from Hale, who was first elected as senior partner in 2013 and was reappointed in 2017 for a two-year term running to July next year.
Russ commented: "Travers Smith's client credentials are obvious for all to see. We have outstanding advisory practices, a disputes team which is consistently knocking it out of the park, and a cross-departmental transactional practice which is second to none.
"Our culture is less visible to the external eye, but I believe that it is our culture which makes us truly unique. It is a high-performing environment which is inclusive, supportive, increasingly diverse and progressive. As senior partner, I want to nurture that culture and in doing so, to work alongside David in leading the firm to further success.
"Travers Smith is a very special law firm. By appointing me, my partners have trusted me to be the steward of this firm over my tenure. To be given the opportunity to do so, and in doing so, to showcase everything which is so special about this firm, will be an honour and a privilege for me. I look forward to taking the reins from Chris next summer."
Russ, who has been a tax partner at the firm since 2001, was head of the City firm's tax practice from 2007 until 2017. She also sits on the partnership board, which was introduced in 2015 under Hale's tenure to partially replace the management committee.
Travers managing partner David Patient added: "Many congratulations to Kathleen on her appointment as our next senior partner. We have known each other a long time, having both joined the firm over 25 years ago. We share a strong commitment to the firm's values and culture, and I very much look forward to working alongside Kathleen in what promises to be an exciting period for our firm.
"I would also like to thank Chris Hale for the immense contribution he has made to Travers Smith over the years, and the tremendous energy and leadership that he has brought to the role of senior partner."
Hale said: "I have worked with Kathleen Russ for many years both on transaction work and as a member of the Travers Smith partnership board. I have seen how dedicated she is to the firm and that she has all the qualities to make an outstanding senior partner. I am delighted she has been chosen as my successor."
Other female senior partners at UK top 50 law firms include CMS chief Penelope Warne, DAC Beachcroft's Virginia Clegg and Trowers & Hamlins' Jennie Gubbins,
Other women in leadership roles at top law firms include Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner transatlantic managing partners Lisa Mayhew and Theresa Pritchard, Stephenson Harwood chief executive Sharon White and Shoosmiths chief executive Claire Rowe.
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