Elliott triumphs in Linklaters senior partner race

Global banking head Elliott saw off a challenge from litigation chief John Turnbull and European managing partner Jean-Pierre Blumberg. He will take over from Cheyne on 1 October for a five-year term.

Voting closed earlier this afternoon, with the partnership being informed of the result shortly after. Sources at the magic circle firm told The Lawyer that the contest was closer than some had expected after Blumberg’s performance at the recent partner conference in Paris.

Elliott commented: “It is an honour to have been elected as Linklaters’ next senior partner and I look forward to building on the outstanding success of the firm under David’s leadership.  Our vision is to be the leading global law firm with a reputation for building the strongest and most enduring relationships with our clients, colleagues and our communities.  I look forward to leading Linklaters closer to this goal over the coming years.”

Cheyne added: “I warmly welcome Robert’s election as Linklaters’ next senior partner.  As global head of banking, he has been heavily involved in the development and implementation of our strategy in recent years and is ideally placed to take the firm forward.  I am grateful for all the support I have had in the firm over the years and I wish Robert and the firm every success in the future.”

Elliott, who joined the magic circle firm in 1990 from Denton Wilde Sapte, was beaten by Cheyne at the last senior partner election in 2006 when finance head Giles White also lost out.

A preliminary five-man list was announced in January, before corporate partners David Barnes and Richard Godden pulled out in March.