Cobbetts picks litigation head as new managing partner

Head of dispute resolution and board member Nick Carr has been picked to replace Shaw and will begin in his new role at the end of the month.

Shaw announced that he would not stand for re-election as managing partner in March (26 March 2012) and would instead become a consultant.

Shaw’s decision came shortly after Cobbetts and DWF announced they had called off merger talks citing “uncertain market conditions” for the breakdown (31 January 2012). However, Shaw was understood to be unlikely to have joined the combined firm even if the deal had gone ahead.

Cobbetts announced a marginal turnover rise, to just over £45m, last week (18 May 2012).

In a statement, Stephen Benson, Cobbetts’ chairman and senior partner, said: “Nick has developed his practice area into a diverse and financially-successful part of Cobbetts’ business. His leadership and judgment will be invaluable in taking the firm into a new era for legal services.”

Shaw became managing partner of Cobbetts in 1996. Before that he was a property lawyer and established the firm’s banking team.