Sweeting: Clifford Chance is not "driven solely by profits"

Sweeting, who will take the reins from incumbent Stuart Popham, saw off the challenge of tax partner Jonathan Elman and German corporate finance partner Daniela Weber-Rey.

Reports had suggested that voting would go to a second round, but a firmwide email from Popham this morning confirmed Sweeting’s election. Details of the vote have not been revealed to the partnership.

Sweeting, who has been a partner at the magic circle firm since 1990 and will begin his four-year term on 1 January, said partners had been “genuinely engaged” in the election process.

He added: “I don’t think we’re a firm driven solely by profits. We’re a firm with a vision and we’re prepared to invest in it. People genuinely recognise that. Yes, profitability needs to get better but it doesn’t need to outstrip other firms’, and that’s the general view. I take the view that we do want a legacy we want to leave behind and we aren’t solely driven by numbers.

“The reason for this is that’s the way partners behaved in the 80s and 90s and we’re the beneficiaries of that.”

In a statement Popham added: “I’ve always considered it a privilege to serve as senior partner for this great firm and I know that Malcolm feels the same.  I wish him the very best for what’s undoubtedly one of the best jobs in the legal world.”