Paul Jenkins will be Ashurst’s first Australian managing partner when he takes the reins from James Collis in June.
Jenkins, currently co-head of the firm’s global finance division, will be based between Sydney and London when he takes up the new role.
“I think it’s really a matter of me getting the right balance between those two areas,” Jenkins told
Australasian Lawyer.
“We have approximately 50% of our business in the Asia-Pacific region, and 50% of our business EMEA and the US.”
With a number of years of international experience under his belt, having practiced in London and Tokyo in his early career, Jenkins is no stranger to operating globally.
A qualified solicitor in New South Wales and England and Wales, Jenkins joined the firm in 1996 before making partner in 2006.
“My role as managing partner is to help all partners and colleagues succeed in the business,” Jenkins said of his new role.
“I think part of that is really ensuring that I empower partners to be able win market share, to be able to encourage an entrepreneurial spirit within the firm.
“Part of that is about streamlining internal structures and processes, and also ensuring that we remain at the forefront of taking innovative approaches in the delivery of legal services.”
Initially, he said, his priority will be to talk to all the firm’s partners to devise a 12-month plan.
“I’m looking forward to getting out and talking to partners and hearing about the challenges that they are facing in each of those different markets.”
Collis will return to his finance practice when he finishes his four-year term at the end of May.
