New Eversheds chief set to integrate practices

CARDIFF-BASED solicitor Keith James has been named as the successor to Eversheds chair Victor Semmens.

James, currently the firm's vice-chair, takes over on 1 June as the practice switches from its regional titles to a single national name.

His appointment is announced this week following a recent vote by the Eversheds board.

Currently the chair of Cardiff's Eversheds Phillips & Buck and Bristol practice Eversheds Holt Phillips & Buck, James articled with Cardiff's predecessor firm and became a partner in the practice 25 years ago.

He has been a partner in Eversheds since its inception, and took on the role of vice-chair six years ago.

James says he will use his five-year term to continue the integration of the regional

offices and strengthen the practice on a national and international level.

"Victor has done a tremendous job. He's been chairman at a seminal point in the history of Eversheds," says James.

"He's brought it together and he's provided the leadership that's allowed us to

create a single partnership and a single name.

"We have created a wonderful platform over the last six years. We have been working assiduously on the integration of all the practices both throughout the UK and overseas.