CC management gears up for election fever

Clifford Chance's management is preparing for its latest elections in the autumn as five key positions come up for vote after four years.

Following informal consultations with colleagues, current senior partner Stuart Popham is widely expected to stand again in the autumn.

He won a tightly fought election four years ago against five other candidates: arbitration partner John Beechey, banking partner Michael Bray, finance partner John East, corporate partner Thomas Gasteyer and banking partner Richard Pettit. As yet no candidates have emerged at this early stage to challenge Popham.

After four years in the role, banking head Mark Campbell is expected to look to retain his role, likewise capital markets head David Dunnegan.

Head of Asia Jim Baird and head of Germany Hans-Josef Schneider will see their terms expire at the end of the year.

Last year the magic circle firm saw a reshuffle after former corporate head and chief operating officer David Childs took over as managing partner. Childs became the only candidate for the job after Paris managing partner Yves Wehrli withdrew from the running.

Former London head Peter Charlton beat Italy managing partner Nick Wrigley to the job of corporate head, while London litigation head Jeremy Sandelson stepped up to run the UK and Dubai operations.

Clifford Chance declined to comment.