Fenwick & West, the technology and life sciences law firm based in California, announced on Thursday that it had elected Richard Dickson the chair of its corporate group to lead the firm from 2014 onwards. Current Chairman Gordon Davidson, who has led the law firm for the last 18 years, would be stepping down.
Though Dickson has been the Chair of the law firm’s corporate group for the past 2 ½ years, he has held leadership positions across various departments of the law firm for more than a decade. He was first elected to chair the firm’s Startup and Venture Capital Practice Group in 2002.
According to the announcement made by Fenwick & West, Dickson has served in the law firm’s Executive Committee since 2008 and is “known for his strength in consensus building, sharp analytical skills and for embracing change and innovation.”
He will become Chair of the firm effective January 1, 2014.
The current Chair of the law firm, Gordon Davidson said, “Richard is an extraordinary and universally respected leader in the firm, having spent the past 10 years in executive management roles … After three record years of performance for the firm, I couldn’t think of a better time to transition to a new Chair, especially since the change comes at a time when I’ll be actively engaged at the firm for many years to come. Our new Chair has accomplished remarkable things as a leader, creating an environment of consensus that has enabled us to maximize our collective strengths and foster innovation. Richard is a natural choice to lead the management of the firm.”
On his part, Dickson said, I’m honored to be elected by the partnership to be our next Chair … Gordy is a visionary and a truly unique leader in the legal industry and in the Silicon Valley. I look forward to carrying on his tradition of mentoring and empowering new generations of partners and leaders, while also continuing my active legal practice.”