New Simmons chief to shake up management

The Simmons & Simmons partnership has given new managing partner Mark Dawkins carte blanche to shake up the firm’s management.

The Simmons partnership approved Dawkins’ plans, first revealed by The Lawyer on January 24, 2005, to set up an international executive to replace the firm’s current London-based executive committee.

The proposal that was put forward at the firm’s annual partnership meeting last weekend gives Dawkins the power to revamp the firm’s management in any way he considers best. The proposal was worded in a way that gives Dawkins complete flexibility.

Dawkins wants to internationalise the executive committee, which currently comprises the firm’s eight practice heads, all of whom are based in London.

Dawkins took over formally as the firm’s managing partner at the conference and immediately made his presence felt with a well-received speech outlining his plans and attitude.

The new international executive is expected to comprise partners from around the world and London practice heads. Simmons has 19 offices around the world, spread throughout 13 jurisdictions. More than 50 per cent of the firm’s turnover is now generated overseas.