Ashworth snubbed as Ashursts re-elects Green

Ashurst Morris Crisp has re-elected senior partner Geoffrey Green for a second term after the incumbent saw off competition from the firm’s head of corporate and telecoms.

It has emerged that highly rated corporate partner Chris Ashworth stood against Green whose current term of office is due to come to an end in December.

Ashworth’s surprise decision to stand is a powerful declaration to the current management. As one of the firm’s highest billers, Ashworth holds enormous political clout at Ashursts and has been instrumental in influencing the firm’s strategic direction.

Under Green, the firm has attempted a succession of mergers, notably with US firms Lathams & Watkins and more recently Fried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson, neither of which came to fruition.

Following a partner vote last week, Green was re-instated as senior partner for a second five-year term.

Green’s re-election is a mark of confidence in the long-standing leader who has led the firm with two managing partners, firstly Ian Nisse and the current incumbent Justin Spendlove.

Spendlove’s term of office ended in September, but the firm’s managing partner election has been delayed.

Green said: “I am delighted to have the support of my partners in this terrific firm. I am confident that Ashursts will continue to thrive across the key European and wider international markets in this challenging economic environment.”