Stephenson Harwood has appointed banking head James Linforth as its next chief executive, succeeding Eifion Morris as the firm pursues merger talks with Taylor Wessing.
Linforth will take up his new role in January, after Morris – who has held the role since 2019 – said he was stepping down at the end of the year for personal reasons. He will remain a partner and continue advising on a proposed combination with European law firm Taylor Wessing.
The London-headquartered firm said its strategy, priorities and commitment to international growth remained unchanged, including ongoing discussions about merger talks the firm previously declined to comment on.
Stephenson Harwood’s supervisory council appointed Linforth with the full support of the global leadership team. A partner for more than 15 years, he has served on the council and sits on the leadership team as global head of banking and finance.
Senior partner Paul Thwaite said: “James is an experienced and highly respected leader who understands our firm, our clients and our people. He has played a central role in the firm’s success and growth, and he is the right person to lead Stephenson Harwood into its next chapter.
“During his time as chief executive, Eifion has made an enormous contribution to the firm, helping strengthen our market position, international presence and long-term strategic direction. We are grateful for his leadership and pleased that he will remain in an advisory role.”
Based in London, Linforth has more than 25 years’ experience in real estate finance. His work includes financings for Paddington Square, Bankside Yards and the Raffles Hotel at the Old War Office.
He is also involved in the firm’s international growth projects. He joined the firm from Dentons in 2011, having headed its banking and restructuring group. His practice has included advising lenders and borrowers on domestic and cross-border financings.
Linforth said: “It is a privilege to have been appointed chief executive. I look forward to working closely with Eifion, our partners and colleagues to ensure a smooth handover and continued momentum across the firm.”
The firm, he said, “has a strong platform, a distinctive culture and exceptional people. I am committed to building on those strengths, delivering outstanding client service and helping the firm continue to grow and succeed”.
Morris, an IP lawyer and former co-head of the firm’s IP practice, succeeded Sharon White as CEO in 2019. His tenure has included a five-year strategy launched in 2022, focused on growth and collaboration across Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
The firm said revenue had increased by more than 50% from just over £200m when the strategy began in May 2022, averaging approximately 11% annual growth over four years.
Since then, it has recruited 99 lateral partners, including from rival London firms, and promoted 52 lawyers to partnership, but recent departures in London’s competitive lateral hiring market have offset some of those arrivals.
Longer-term expansion has coincided with a more challenging 2026 financial year. Revenue fell 2% to £303m in 2025/26, while profit declined 12% to £105m, which Morris attributed to the timing of major disputes and success-based fees, rather than a change in strategy.
International investment, however, has continued. It opened in Madrid this year, following launches in Riyadh and Al Khobar in 2025, and relocated its Greek office from Piraeus to larger premises in Athens earlier this year.
In August, Morris told this title that the firm had ruled out a US merger, favouring expansion of its EMEA platform as an alternative to a transatlantic model, with the firm’s negotiations with legacy Taylor Wessing’s European business consistent with that ambition, potentially accelerating expansion through a larger combination. Partners are expected to decide on a potential merger by the end of this year.
Morris said: “It has been an honour to serve as chief executive, and I am proud of everything our team has achieved together,” adding: “I look forward to working with James over the coming months to ensure a successful transition.”
Email your news and story ideas to: [email protected]
