KWM has confirmed that the contest for its next senior partner in the UK, Europe and the Middle East will be a two-horse race between Dubai-based disputes heavyweight Tim Taylor QC and Frankfurt-based M&A partner Michael Cziesla. Formerly head of disputes for legacy SJ Berwin, Mr Taylor has been a partner since 1988 and relocated to Dubai in 2009 to help grow the firm’s local office and to lead its international arbitration practice. He is currently the only QC permanently residing in the United Arab Emirates, though it is believed that he will likely to return to London if elected as senior partner. Mr Cziesla is also a former SJ Berwin lawyer and currently serves as KWM’s co-managing partner in Germany, having been first promoted to the firm’s partnership in 2002.
Voting open
The senior partner race was triggered last year when former senior partner Stephen Kon announced his decision to step down from the role two years before the end of his term. Voting for the position is now open, with a winner to be announced between 19 and 26 October. The firm’s new senior partner will work alongside legacy Mallesons Stephen Jacques chairman Tim Bednall, who was elected as the firm’s new European managing partner last week.
Sources: Legal Week; The Lawyer
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