Transactions specialist Lara Burch has been elected to take over from Peter Clough as senior partner at Osborne Clarke.
Burch will begin in the role on 1 January 2026, following the end of Clough’s four-year term at the helm of the top 20 UK firm.
Burch has been with Osborne Clarke since 1997 and has been a partner at the firm for nearly 25 years. She currently heads the Bristol office and is a member of the firm’s partnership council, having previously led the transport and automotive sector group for eight years.
Burch is currently a partner in the firm’s commercial practice and specialises in complex commercial transactions in the transport and energy sectors. Her clients include the Department for Transport, FTSE 250 industrials company RS Group and National Grid Electricity Distribution.
As senior partner, Burch will chair the partnership council and act as overall head of the UK LLP, providing effective governance, advice to the managing partner and fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose across the firm, Osborne Clarke said.
Conrad Davies, UK managing partner, said: “Lara is an outstanding lawyer and leader whose integrity, judgement and commitment to our people have long been evident. She brings a wealth of experience from her client work and internal leadership roles, and I know that she will make a significant contribution as we shape the firm’s future. I would also like to express my thanks to Peter for his service and dedication to the partnership.”
Clough, who joined Osborne Clarke in 1996 from legacy Allen & Overy and made partner at the firm two years later, has overseen significant growth at the firm during his time as senior partner.
UK income grew 166% to a new high of £256.6m between 2020 and 2025, while international income grew 72%, hitting €547.5m during the UK reporting period of May 2024 – April 2025. Profit per equity partner also pushed past £800k for the first time in FY25.
Clough’s tenure has also seen the 1,600-lawyer firm open offices in Warsaw and Miami, expanding its global network to 26 offices. Osborne Clarke credited him with supporting the firm’s growth through “increased partner engagement and delivering enhanced governance in the UK and across the business internationally” through his role on the firm’s international council.
Commenting on her appointment, Burch said: “It’s a privilege to take on the role of UK senior partner at such an important time for the firm and our clients. I look forward to working with colleagues across our offices in the UK and internationally to build on our culture of collaboration, deliver excellence for clients and continue our focus on responsible and sustainable growth. I would also like to thank Peter for his leadership over the past four years.”
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