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Olswang creates 19-partner body to boost international referral links

Author: charlotte.edmond@legalweek.com

Published: 02/08/2007 02:40

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Olswang has named 19 partners on an international committee that will take responsibility for the firm’s referral relationships across Europe, Asia and Africa.

The newly-created group of some of the law firm’s most senior partners will meet monthly to discuss its international relationships, as part of a push to build a database of firms for joint pitches and referral work.

The 19 partners have each been given responsibility for jurisdictions where the firm is looking to narrow or expand the firms it works with.

Committee members include media litigation partner Dan Tench, who will focus on Spain and Portugal, while corporate partner Mark Bertram will look after France. Newly-appointed managing partner David Stewart, who is overseeing the committee, will have responsibility for China and Africa. The firm has appointed two partners to each of Italy, Scandinavia and the Baltic states.

In addition, some partners will oversee entire practice groups internationally. These include Michael Benster, who will be responsible for banking, Steven Baker, who will oversee arbitration, and Joel Barry, who will oversee intellectual property.

The City firm is attempting to work with US ally Greenberg Traurig to compile a common list of referral firms. Where Greenberg has offices or particularly strong relationships, such as in Latin America, Olswang will defer to those offices.

Previously, Olswang’s international strategy was solely overseen by Stewart, who became the firm’s managing partner in May. He commented: “We are working to raise consciousness of our international links, review relationships and get closer to all the firms we use. We are responding to the increasingly international needs of the business — it is too much for just one person to manage now.”

The move is the latest in a series of changes that the top 30 UK firm has introduced since its high-profile former chief executive Jonathan Goldstein left the firm. The firm has shaken up its top three management positions and created a strategy board which will oversee areas such as the international team.

The strategy board’s members are appointed at the discretion of the firm’s management team, — Stewart, chief executive Kevin Munslow and senior partner Mark Devereux. It currently comprises e-commerce partner Clive Gringras, private equity head Fabrizio Carpanini, real estate partner Simon Kanter, technology head Nigel Swycher and human resources director Ffion Griffith.

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