CC votes in tougher performance management for partners

Clifford Chance's (CC's) partnership has voted through changes to its corporate governance structure, cementing the firm's ability to take a tougher approach to partner performance.

Voting closed last week (19 February), with partners approving a range of changes to the partnership deed - including the removal of their right to protest a termination notice through a vote of the partnership.

CC's management committee, led by managing partner David Childs (pictured), will now have the final say on partner terminations, with the vote also paving the way for CC to shorten the warning period given to under-performing partners from 12 months to nine.

Previously, partners that were asked to leave following a poor performance review and a warning period could dispute the decision by taking it to a partner vote.

The changes will also tighten the appraisal system by formalising an annual review process that will see partners across all offices appraised on the same criteria, including billing and business levels.

The overhaul will come into effect in March, with other main amendments including a reduction in the size of the partnership council from 12 members to seven, with members elected by the partnership globally rather than regionally.

In addition, CC will establish a nomination committee for practice group head and regional management elections.

CC said: "We can confirm the proposal containing recommendations to streamline the firm's governance has been passed in a vote by the partnership."

Clifford Chance on the Legal Week Wiki