Addleshaws chief to become firm's first chair

Addleshaw Goddard managing partner Mark Jones (pictured) is to become the firm's first chairman after standing uncontested for the position.

Jones has led the firm for 17 years, first as managing partner of Booth & Co, then of Addleshaw Booth & Co and for the past six years as managing partner of Addleshaw Goddard. His current three-year term comes to an end at the end of April, at which point he will take up the chairmanship.

Current corporate head Paul Devitt will take over as managing partner with partner Andrew Rosling taking over responsibility for the corporate practice.

According to Jones, with the firm's current five-year strategy also coming to an end this April, now was the right time for the firm to start thinking about generational succession planning.

He added that there are a number reasons for him taking up the chairmanship, a role that has always been written into the firm's constitution though never filled.

One reason for becoming chairman rather than managing partner is that Jones will have more time to focus on developing the firm's contentious practice while he will also be able to focus on how the firm can benefit from the Legal Services Act (LSA).

Jones said: "The LSA is going to present some interesting opportunities in the next few years and I'll be looking at projects for the future.

"We might decide to look at external investment, but at the moment it's an open book with blank pages."

Devitt said that as managing partner he will be focusing on driving relationships with the firm's key clients as well as looking at how the firm's own people contribute to and develop within the firm.

Devitt, who will be based across the firm's offices, will continue to do some client work while he holds the managing partner position.

Addleshaws senior partner Paul Lee, who is part way through his three-year term, continues in his role until next April.