King & Wood Mallesons (
KWM) is now ready to elect a new European managing partner after it was confirmed that only two lawyers were vying for the position.
The news comes out of
American Lawyer which said that it appears KWM has made up its mind and is now ready to choose between London tax head Gareth Amdor and EUME corporate co-head
Tim Bednall.
Amdor, a legacy SJ Berwin partner, is going up against Bednall, a legacy Mallesons partner.
KWM’s last European managing partner, William Boss, resigned in April after less than a year into his appointment which was supposed to end in May 2017.
The firm has been searching for his successor ever since
Boss’ departure was announced in January. Boss has gone back to a fee-earning role.
Australia Big Six firm Mallesons Stephen Jaques merged with China Red Circle firm King & Wood PRC in 2012 before eventually merging with British Silver Circle firm SJ Berwin in 2013.
Earlier reports said that partners vote for the new European managing partner this week and the results will be announced early next week.
The selection of a new European managing partner was postponed by KWM from its February conference.
According to
The Lawyer, the delay was due to a major overhaul of its European operations which saw 17 practice areas reorganised into three core groups: corporate, funds and finance; dispute resolution and regulation; and real estate.
There has been a
spate of partner departures from KWM in Europe lately. Partners in Europe and the Middle East have also agreed to capital contributions of £14m to boost the firm’s capitalisation.
