Slaughters' new chief to cement Far East ties

Slaughter and May's practice partner-in-waiting Paul Olney has vowed to tighten up the firm's relationships with its best friends in the Far East when he takes over the role.

Olney, who will take over from the retiring David Frank in May, said: "International relationships and the refreshment of those relationships, particularly in the Far East, will require looking at.

"We have very well-established relationships with our European best friends and through Hong Kong have good relationships with firms in the Far East. That will continue to require investment as there's a changing legal scene."

Olney, a partner in the firm's corporate practice, said the role will remain largely unchanged and the bulk of his time will be taken up with managerial duties, although he will continue with some fee-earning work.

Joining Olney on the firm's management team is real estate partner Graham White, who will succeed commercial lawyer Melvyn Hughes as executive partner in May.

Both Olney and White will serve five-year terms, as first revealed on www.thelawyer. com (25 February).

White, who is currently responsible for recruiting trainees to the firm, said his new role will see him take responsibility for the trainees once they actually arrive. A replacement recruitment partner will be appointed in due course.

White added that he was unlikely to make any major changes to the way his new role is carried out.

For his first six months in the position White will work alongside Hughes, who will retire from the firm at the end of the year.