MoFo installs black boss in first for City
Morrison & Foerster (MoFo) tax partner Trevor James has been appointed managing partner of the firm’s London office, making him ;the ;first ;black managing partner at an international firm.
James takes over from Julian Thurston, who will continue at the firm as
co-chair of the life sciences group.
James said: “I’ve been given the job to lead the London office and it’s my obligation to lead well. If that’s successful and that inspires others, then that’s a great thing.”
The Black Solicitors Network’s (BSN) 2008 diversity league table revealed that Beachcroft, Clifford Chance, DLA Piper and Linklaters were the only UK firms with any black partners. Almost 10 per cent of US firm Weil Gotshal & Manges’ City partners are black (but that is only two partners), while less than 1 per cent of Reed Smith’s partners are black.
BSN co-founder and former ;chair ;Michael Webster welcomed the news of James’s appointment.
“Our recent diversity league table showed that very few black lawyers make partner in the City, so for any of them to progress to management is hugely significant,” said Webster.
Thurston has been UK managing partner for just over three years, during which time the office has doubled in size, bringing in £16.5m and housing 19 partners.
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Readers' comments (13)
Anonymous | 9-Dec-2008 12:28 pm
What about Ashurst?
David Carter surely means Ashurst should be on the list as well. Granted, only having one black partner is hardly a sign of great diversity, but it's better than having none.
http://www.ashurst.com/people-detail.aspx?id_Content=300
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Debo Nwauzu, Founder and Managing Director of BLD | 9-Dec-2008 1:06 pm
Fantastic News about Trevor James
I do get very excited and incredibly proud every time I read this sort of news as the there is so much talent out there, mostly still untapped. To loosely paraphrase what Rabinder Singh QC said at the launch of my book, Black Letter Law 2008 at Allen & Overy in October 2008, to achieve greater diversity we should not look for extraordinary talent but look for talent in extraordinary places.
One thing that needs to be said though is that the figure quoted in the article is inaccurate, even if it is applied only to those of African Caribbean origin. All you need to do is read Black Letter Law 2008 which showcases the achievement of black and ethnic minorities in the legal profession.
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Anon. | 9-Dec-2008 1:18 pm
Last post
Would you like to plug your book a little more? I think there might be a sentence or two where you've only mentioned it once.
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Anonymous | 9-Dec-2008 2:10 pm
What about Harneys?
I do not want to detract from Trevors moumental acheivement. But what about Leonard Birmingham the managing partner of the International offshore lawfirm Harney's, granted they are boutique in size but this firm cover's the four corners of the globe.
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Ian Penman, Partner, New Media Law LLP | 9-Dec-2008 3:23 pm
MoFo appointment
I am delighted to hear of Trevor's appointment. He and I were colleagues at DLA for many years, but I never realised he was black......!
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Anonymous | 10-Dec-2008 2:39 am
Another crack in the glass ceiling
A very pleasing development. Best of luck to him. Looks like a very tough job -- tripling the revenue or sacking partners - either way it will be very tough going. Looks a bit like SWP. Dishy.
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Anonymous | 10-Dec-2008 10:21 am
LG
LG has a Black partner!
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Anonymous | 10-Dec-2008 12:59 pm
Nice one Trevor
Simmons & Simmons have one! http://www.simmons-simmons.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=offices.people_bio&person_id=81420&page=3630
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Anonymous | 10-Dec-2008 6:18 pm
Intresting to see
Should have changed the title though.
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Anonymous | 11-Dec-2008 0:20 am
Go Trevors
I hear Ashurst also got there hands on Trevor Goode from Berwin Leighton Paisner.
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