The battle to succeed Giles White as Linklaters’ Asia managing partner has pitted Hong Kong chief Marc Harvey (pictured) against China managing partner Zili Shao, as a new generation of management pushes through the ranks.
It is understood that both partners are in the frame after White left the firm to join infrastructure conglomerate Jardine Matheson as general counsel.
White will leave Linklaters at the end of April after 21 years with the firm.
This year will also see the departure of Linklaters stalwart Nick Eastwell, who has retired from the firm after 20 years as a partner (see story).
Eastwell will step down as head of the Emerging Europe, Middle East and North Africa (EEMENA) practice at the end of April, handing the baton over to projects partner Stuart Salt.
Veterans Eastwell and White were both in the running for the managing partner post in 2007, but were eventually pipped to the post by former Asia managing partner Simon Davies.
Shao and Harvey are respected ;partners ;in Linklaters’ Asia network. Corporate specialist Shao has managed the firm’s China office since 2003 and joined the firm five years earlier from Australian firm Allen Allen & Hemsley.
Harvey is head of litigation for Asia and managing partner of the Hong Kong office. He made partner in 2000, having joined the firm as a trainee in 1991.
