Barlows’ Dedman set to leave after three decades at the firm

Barlow Lyde & Gilbert former senior partner Richard Dedman is to leave the firm after nearly three decades as a partner.

Dedman handed in his notice last month, with his departure coming after he stepped down as senior partner in May 2008 – just two years into his second five-year term – to return to fee earning.

During his tenure as senior partner, Dedman oversaw a restructuring of Barlows’ management in 2007, when the firm brought in current chief executive Clint Evans.

Before taking on the senior partner role Dedman led Barlows’ professional liability and commercial litigation practice for a number of years. He was replaced as senior partner by Simon Konsta.

Dedman has yet to make a decision on his next move.

He told Legal Week: “The truth is I am looking to broaden my options.

“I remain genuinely interested in the law and litigation but, at the same time, I feel ready for something a little different to what I have done to date. While the decision to move on has not been an easy one, it is the right one.”
His departure marks the latest high-profile exit from the firm since the start of the year. Most recently, Hong Kong managing partner Camille Jojo defected to Norton Rose with a team of six associates, after leading the firm’s Asian practice for 14 years.

Konsta said: “After standing down as senior partner last autumn, Richard provided invaluable transitional support to me. Richard has been a member of Barlows for 30 years this August, which is an exceptional period of service, and we wish him well in the future.”