Belgian managing partner and corporate co-head Wim Dejonghe will face senior finance partner Boyan Wells in a race for the managing partner position that is set to be hotly contested.
Meanwhile, incumbent managing partner David Morley will face global corporate chief Richard Cranfield in the contest to become senior partner, with Morley being widely tipped to take over from Guy Beringer as senior partner when Beringer retires at the end of April.
The race to become managing partner is seen as more open, with both candidates having supporters within the firm.
Wells – who formerly headed the magic circle outfit’s capital markets practice – currently sits on A&O’s management board after claiming the place in a 2006 contested election that saw Dejonghe miss out on a committee place.
Dejonghe, who presided over the development of the firm's top-tier Benelux practice, lost out to Morley in the firm's managing partner elections in 2002.
One former A&O partner commented: “I can’t believe Dave is not a done deal. He is a man of the people and he remembers what it’s like in the trenches. Associates want to grow up like Dave. [But[ Cranfield is also very confident and able."
Former partners described Wells as "a straight-talking guy" who would "protect you to the ends of the earth”.
A&O declined to comment on the candidates but said in a statement: “Elections for… senior partner and managing partner are taking place in February and the results will be announced publicly at the end of the month. Guy Beringer and David Morley will complete their terms of office on 30 April, 2008. Beringer has completed two terms as senior partner and will be retiring from the firm.”
The elections are being conducted on behalf of A&O by Electoral Reform Services.
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