Mayer Brown governance structure in limbo as Maher quits
Mayer Brown’s co-vice-chair Paul Maher has officially resigned from the firm after announcing that he would be taking a leave of absence to consider his options.
Paul Maher (pictured) has officially resigned from Mayer Brown following his announcement on 28 April that he would be taking a leave of absence to consider his options.
Maher, who is still technically vice-chairman of the US-UK firm until 1 June, tendered his resignation last Friday. His decision was announced to the partnership that day by London senior partner Sean Connolly, but his departure date has yet to be finalised.
Maher’s exit leaves internal governance issues at the firm still in flux. Mayer Brown’s new governance structure takes effect on 1 June, but the 12-strong partnership board, which is elected by the partners, has not yet been filled. Following the first round of elections, which did not see a clear consensus, the firm is now conducting a second set of elections to decide on the US partners on the board.
Seven lawyers have won places: London partner Jeremy Clay, Charlotte partner Carol Hitselberger, Chicago partner Michelle Ororizzi, Washington DC partner Peter White, Frankfurt partner Jorg Wulfken, London partner Ian Coles and Berlin partner Friedrich Merz were elected to the partnership committee on 15 May.
Mayer Brown’s partnership will select the remaining partners via a ballot, which closes this Friday (22 May).
Maher had been expected to succeed Jim Holzhauer as chairman, but that position was taken by Chicago partner Bert Krueger.
The six-strong management committee, which was appointed by the previous partnership committee, comprises of London head Sean Connolly, Paris head Jean-Philippe Lambert, Hong Kong partner Elaine Lo, Chicago partner Paul Theiss, New York partner Paul Jorissen and Palo Alto partner Cabell Chinnis.
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Readers' comments (13)
Anonymous | 21-May-2009 11:33 am
I wonder why people posting comments at 2:28 in the morning want Maher to leave law. Could it have anything to do with the fact that when Maher leaves he will take very valuable clients and other lawyers with him? Something of course that probably wouldn’t happen if he joined a fund.
Mayer Brown America is going to have to face up to the fact that by ousting Maher their reputation and financial position especially in London will diminish.
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Anonymous | 22-May-2009 10:14 am
Let us be honest here, a significant proportion of what has been said on these recent blogs must be discarded. The comments in many cases have a political slant favouring the hard line ex- Rowe and Maw lawyers who will never side against Maher no matter what it is he does.
I would hasten to add that if you treat someone in an unjust way it is a natural phenomenon that they won’t be your best friend; Brits should know this!
This would explain why he has no support outside London (and not much in London itself) and as mentioned a set of unimportant but loyal clients who evidently enjoy working with him, even though most of them now have no work to give.
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Anonymous | 22-May-2009 2:11 pm
Sure thing, 'unimportant but loyal clients' who enjoy working with him and have generated on average in excess of $20 Million dollars a year for the last five years including last year. London is still also the worlds prime business centre. Americans should know this!
Surely Maher must be having sleepless nights concerning the lack of support he receives from a xenophobic dying American law firm. Maher it looks to me as if you're in serious trouble, good luck!
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