The City of London Law Society (CLLS) has lined up Linklaters’ former head of learning Patrick McCann as its new chief executive, replacing Matthew Rous who is retiring at the end of August.

McCann is well-known in the City for his leadership and contributions to various legal initiatives. He was one of the driving forces behind the Social Welfare Solicitors’ Qualification Fund, which has raised £1.2m to support more than 120 aspiring social welfare lawyers in their journey to qualification. He also helped spearhead City Century, a coalition of more than 50 law firms dedicated to supporting solicitor apprenticeships.

In addition, he was part of a group that launched TheLLP!, a development programme for queer-identifying emerging legal leaders, which won an award at the 2025 Women and Diversity in Law Awards in March.

McCann will take up his new role in September, having left Linklaters after eight and a half years in January. His extensive career in legal practice also includes senior positions at Bird & Bird, legacy firm Berwin Leighton Paisner and Herbert Smith Freehills, spanning more than three decades.

Colin Passmore, chair of the CLLS, said: “One of the main aims of the CLLS is to demonstrate the positive impact our members have on society generally and the economy, with the hundreds of thousands of transactions and disputes we deal with every year.

“Patrick’s appointment will ensure that we continue this work as he brings enormous energy and experience to the role of chief executive, backed by a track record of building relationships across our sector and driving collaboration between City law firms.

“I am looking forward to working alongside Patrick when he takes up the reins and am confident in his hands that the CLLS will continue to drive positive change, continue to leverage the fantastic work our member firms do, and continue to deliver positive value for the City and beyond.”

Passmore also paid tribute to outgoing CEO Matthew Rous, acknowledging his diligent and dedicated service over the past three and a half years. Passmore said: “Our mission at the CLLS is challenging but ultimately rewarding – not to mention deeply necessary – and Matthew has been relentless in improving the way we work and strengthening our relationships with so many across government and the City. My sincere thanks to Matthew, and I wish him the very best in his retirement.” 

As the new chief executive, McCann will oversee the CLLS’s day-to-day operations, ensuring the society effectively represents its membership of 67 leading law firms and more than 21,000 solicitors.

He will work closely with Passmore and will be responsible for maintaining the society’s profile with regulators, such as the SRA – of which the CLLS has been critical – and the Legal Services Board, as well as the UK government, media and other organisations.

McCann said it was a privilege to take on the role, adding: “The potential for the CLLS to lead the way – working in conjunction with its brilliant member firms – in law, business and corporate responsibility, is huge. I have worked with the CLLS for many years, most recently as its training committee chair, but also on some fantastic collaborative initiatives and am deeply impressed at how much talent and goodwill there is.

“I am excited to make the most of this opportunity to leverage all the great work our sector does and drive positive impact, both within and beyond law.”

Writing on LinkedIn, he added: “I came to London a nervous, queer, state school proud, neuro-diverse, 17-year-old, ready to study law… what I will say to all is: no matter where, when and how you start, stay true to you and the sky really is the limit.”

Rous, commenting on his successor, said: “It has been a delight to lead the CLLS for the last three and a half years and it will be a wrench to stand down in the early autumn. I can think of nobody more capable to hand over the reins to than Patrick. He has been the dynamo behind some of our most impactful campaigns in recent years, and an inspirational chair.”