Baker & McKenzie elects new chairman

Paul Rawlinson

Rawlinson is an intellectual property lawyer and a relationship partner for a number of the firm's significant global clients. He has been the firm's managing partner in London since 2013. He joined Baker & McKenzie in 1986 and made partner in 1996. He currently serves on the firm's Policy Committee and also led the firm's Global Intellectual Property practice group from 2004 to 2010.

Rawlinson will take up the position on 23 October, at the end of the firm’s annual meeting in Barcelona, Spain. He will succeed Eduardo Leite, who has been chairman of Baker & McKenzie since 2010. Until his successor is announced in September, Rawlinson will remain the managing partner in London.

The firm says he has been instrumental in developing innovative client-focused initiatives at Baker & McKenzie, including helping establish the firm's Global Services Centers in Belfast and Manila. He has vast experience working on intellectual property (IP) issues for many of the firm's major clients. He advises a range of global clients with extensive IP portfolios on strategies for protection and enforcement of their IP rights. Rawlinson is a member of several business organisations, including the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition, Business Alliance Against Counterfeiting and Anti-Piracy, French Trade Mark & Design Association, and the International Trademark Association.