McNulty was elected at the leading
McNulty, who has been a partner at the regional firm since 1988, will now spend several weeks canvassing partners on future strategy at the firm before officially taking up the senior partner role on 1 May.
At last month’s conference, partners at Burges Salmon also agreed to increase the length of term for the senior partner role from three to four years. The move is designed to avoid any future handover clashes with the managing partner role, which is currently held by Guy
Stobart. Stobart’s own four-year term is due to end in 2009.
In addition to his new appointment, McNulty will continue as chairman of Burges Salmon’s partnership committee, the central board that oversees strategy and day-to-day policy at the 64-partner regional firm. McNulty took up the role last summer.
The line-up, which comprises all departmental heads, also includes two elected members. Litigation partner Peter Morris currently fills one of the elected spots while a replacement is due for corporate and financial services practice chief Sandra Forbes, who was an elected member before becoming the firm’s first-ever female departmental head.
McNulty’s appointment will be closely watched by local rivals after Burges Salmon announced plans to significantly expand its Bristol headquarters late last year by sealing a deal to move into larger flagship premises in the city.
McNulty told Legal Week: “The next few years in the
