Clifford Chance has re-appointed Michael Bares as its U.K. regional managing partner.
It will be a second four-year term in the role for Bates, who first took up the role of London managing partner in 2017, succeeding David Bickerton.
There was no formal election process, the appointments were decided internally by management after those who wanted to be considered put their names forward and conversations were had by senior members within the firm.
In a statement, Matthew Layton, global managing partner and Charles Adams, global managing partner elect, said under Bates’s stewardship, the firm’s U.K. region has gone “from strength to strength as the region has operated in an increasingly competitive market for clients and for talent”. They added: “Michael has led the U.K. Region to record financial performances whilst leading the region through the responses to Brexit and the pandemic.”
Bates said: “I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to continue leading our UK Region for a second term. There is still much to be done to capitalise on the numerous opportunities available to us in growing markets and to meet the challenges we face and the geopolitical uncertainties surrounding us.”
In addition the firm has appointed Matthew Newick as its global practice area lead for litigation and dispute resolution.
It is a second term also for Newick, who has been at Clifford Chance for over 27 years. He said in a statement: “I am delighted to be able to continue to lead the incredible L&DR global practice. As we emerge from the global pandemic and tackle many of our new challenges, we know that the fundamentals of our business are strong, and we have the full support of the firm.”
