International law firm Simmons & Simmons has recently appointed new leadership in its dispute resolution team. The change will see partner, Paul Baker, take on the role of dispute resolution national practice head for the UK.

“New era”

Mr Baker will work alongside partner and global head of dispute resolution, Hans-Hermann Aldenhoff, who has held this position since 2008. His appointment is touted as the start of  “a new era” for the firm’s dispute resolution practice as a whole, as it looks to a future of innovation, digitalisation and the next generation of lawyers. The practice recently announced the promotion of six lawyers to partnership. Commenting on Mr Baker’s appointment, Mr Aldenhoff stated “I have deliberately opted for Paul as a partner, ten years younger than I, to ensure that we appropriately respond to these changes. This allows us to enhance relationships with associates as well as better understand their concerns and expectations from the perspective of someone closer to their age”.

Plotting course

Mr Baker qualified in the UK firm in 2005, and then practised in New Zealand between 2006 and 2011, joining Simmons & Simmons in September 2011. He was promoted to partner in 2015. Commenting on his recent appointment and plans for the practice, Mr Baker said “I don’t want to be reactive to the market, I want to be ahead of it and plot a course which, over the coming years, will ensure that we continue to be regarded as a leading and innovative international disputes practice.”