Litigation specialist Simon Davis to take over top spot in 2019
A top partner at Clifford Chance is set to become the Law Society of England and Wales’ 173rd president.
Simon Davis (pictured below) is a commercial litigation partner at the magic circle outfit’s London office, and will assume the role of deputy vice president in July before becoming vice president in 2018. Davis — who was instructed to probe allegations of internal bullying in the Conservative party — will then take up the position of president in 2019.
Having studied law at Oxford, the future Law Society bigwig joined Clifford Chance (then Clifford Turner) in 1982 as a trainee. He has been a partner at the firm since 1994. As can be seen on Legal Cheek’s Most List, profit per equity partner (PEP) at the magic circle outfit currently sits at a whopping £1.23 million.
Describing his election success as “a great privilege”, Davis said:
I intend to represent the Law Society’s broad spread of members as I represent my clients — finding out and resolving the challenges they face, permitting our members in turn to devote their energies to representing the clients who depend on them.
Davis will be taking the presidency baton from Robert Bourns, who is also a partner at a commercial firm (TLT). The current president of the Law Society had this to say on the news:
I congratulate Simon, who emerged as the winner from an extremely strong field of candidates. I wish him all the very best for his three years as an office holder.
The last magic circle solicitor to hold the society’s top spot was John Wotton. A consultant at Allen & Overy, Wotton held the position of president between 2011 and 2012.
For all the latest news, features, events and jobs, sign up to Legal Cheek’s weekly newsletter here.