The international executive group will be reduced in size from six partners to three, according to changes outlined by senior partner Rohan Weerasinghe in an internal memo seen by Legal Week. Weerasinghe and executive director Kim Gardner retain their places on the committee and are joined by Sosnick.
Kenneth MacRitchie – who earlier this month stood down as
Additionally, the co-managing partner roles previously held by Madden and Thoma are to be replaced by the new post of management team co-ordinator, to be filled by Sosnick. He will oversee a new management structure targeting five key areas: global client development; practice management; partner and associate matters; firm administration; and risk management.
A separate strategy group, meanwhile, will comprise Weerasinghe, Hong Kong partner Matthew Bersani, Manhattan-based Creighton Condon and Thoma.
The changes leave Shearman’s City office without any formal representation on its top-level management.
In his memo, Weerasinghe said: “These changes will allow me to devote more of my own time to strategy, client development and interaction with partners and staff.”
Ward told Legal Week: “The purpose of the changes is to spread responsibility across the firm and enables those in management to concentrate on client roles. This is a positive move against a background of a strong financial year.”
