Eversheds Elects Paul Smith as New Chairman

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Global law firm Eversheds LLP elected environmental lawyer and litigator Paul Smith as the Chairman for a four-year term beginning May 1. The former chairman, John Heaps, chose not to contest. Heaps said about Smith, “Paul’s deep experience of both the firm where he has worked since its inception in the late 80’s and of the international legal market equips him very well for the role. I wish him every success.”

Smith is currently the firm’s client partner for DuPont Co. The firm said in a statement that Smith is a recognized expert on law firm partnering and convergence, pioneering the concept as a client partner for DuPont more than ten years ago.

  

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Smith has handled litigation across the globe and had defended multinational companies in criminal investigations spanning across UK, North America, and mainland Europe. He leads the team that is handling the Tyco International Ltd. convergence project and consolidating outside legal services from more than 250 law firms across 37 jurisdictions to a single provider, Eversheds LLP.

The Eversheds chief executive, Bryan Hughes said on Smith’s election, “The combination of his intimate knowledge of the firm, wide international experience and client relationship expertise, makes him an ideal person to take on the role of a Chairman as the firm continues its global development.”

On his part, Smith said he was “very much looking forward to taking up the role next year and working with the Executive team to ensure that our strategy is implemented and playing my part in making Eversheds even more of a worldwide success in the future.”

Smith is considered as a pioneer in creating the client-partner role at Eversheds and is working with global corporate law departments on their processes and practices to help them obtain greater value from outside counsel.