Mayer Brown names three-partner successor to chairman

Mayer Brown Rowe & Maw is set to name a three-partner “office of the chairman” when current chairman Ty Fahner steps down in May 2007.

The firm’s management committee emailed the partnership today with a proposal that would name current general counsel James Holzhauer as chairman with UK managing partner Paul Maher and Washington DC head Ken Geller as vice-chairs.

The email stated: “This would form a robust group which would continue to take the firm forward to achieve its global ambitions.”

The trio, who all sit on the firm’s management committee, will share the chairman’s responsibilties. Holzhauer will be responsible for integration and risk management. Maher will take charge of global strategy. Geller will take control of global operations.

A Mayer Brown partner commented: "It is an enormous job and going forward would be increasingly challenging for one individual to tackle alone. I think this is a solution which plays to the strengths of the individuals involved and should work very well."

The management committee has made this proposal now as a means of ensuring a smooth handover, when Fahner steps down next year.

Equity partners will now be consulted on the proposal and the result will be announced in September.