Nigel Knowles is to continue his reign as managing partner of DLA for another three years after partners confirmed their support of his leadership in an uncontested election last week.
Knowles has already enjoyed two terms at the helm of the rapidly expanding firm. He first took on the role in 1996 when the firm was created through a merger between Dibb Lupton Broomhead and Alsop Wilkinson.
Knowles told The Lawyer: “I’m delighted to be serving the firm for another three years as managing partner. By the middle of my term we’ll have achieved our vision to be a top-five full service law firm in Europe with a significant presence in Asia.”
At the same time, the firm has announced it will convert to a limited liability partnership following a 12-month internal review.
The firm is setting up three separate partnerships, one in Scotland, one in England, and an umbrella one for all partners worldwide.
The worldwide partnership, DLA Group LLP, will take effect from 1 October. The other two will not be completed until May next year.