Dedman, who is in the middle of his second five-year term as senior partner, has announced his intention to step down this autumn. An election process to replace him has already begun, with a vote expected to produce a winner later this month.
A number of candidates are already understood to have put their names forward to lead the firm.
It is not yet known whether Dedman, a commercial litigator, will remain at the firm, although a return to fee earning work seems likely.
The news comes after Barlows last year overhauled its senior management in favour of a more corporate structure, appointing Clint Evans as chief executive and introducing a supervisory partnership council for the first time.
Dedman commented: “There is no one reason for my standing down but I have stood as senior partner for seven years and when I started my second five-year term I wasn’t sure if I wanted serve a full term.”
He added: “The election process for a successor will take place with a sensible handover period planned.”
