The final candidates have been announced as tax partner Gareth Amdor and corporate partner Tim Bednall. The announcement follows a nominations period which kicked off on 12 September and closed on Wednesday after a one-week deadline extension. KWM is expected to announce the result of its managing partner election between 4 and 11 October, while the simultaneous senior partner race results will be announced between 19 October and 26 October.

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Neither Mr Amdor nor Mr Bednall are surprise candidates for the role, with both partners having previously been touted as likely successors to former KWM European managing partner William Boss. Tax partner Mr Amdor has been a partner at KWM since 2005 and currently serves as co-head of the EUME tax practice, chair of the firm’s finance committee and a member of its remuneration committee. Meanwhile, Mr Bednall is the join global coordinator of the KWM corporate, M&A and securities practice and the former chairman of legacy Australian firm Mallesons Stephens Jacques. He played an instrumental role in the firm’s 2013 merger with legacy SJ Berwin.

Sources: Legal Week; Legal Business