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Pinsent Masons names Richard Griffiths as next managing partner. Firm's global property head, based in UK, will take his new role in November Pinsent Masons has announced the election of Richard Griffiths - UK-based global head of the property group and former head of the planning and environment practice - as the firm's managing partner, succeeding Laura Cameron in the position as of Nov. 1. "Working alongside John Maciver, my focus will be on investing where our clients need us most and ensuring we continue to evolve as an international strategic adviser to our global client base," Griffiths said. "Having joined as a trainee to leading one of our largest global Groups, Richard has already made a significant impact on our business," Maciver added. "He brings deep expertise along with a genuine commitment to our people, our clients and our culture, and I am looking forward to working together as we shape the firm's future." More on Richard Griffiths. According to his profile on the firm's website, Griffiths has handled real estate matters, infrastructure consents, and the consenting strategy and delivery of projects across the energy, waste, and transport sectors. Per the press release, the property group - comprising the firm's planning and environment, development and investment, and property litigation practices - has grown by 13 percent while helmed by Griffiths. Over his four years of spearheading and seeking to internationalize the firm's planning and environment practice, the practice grew by 53 percent and expanded into Australia, the Middle East, and Europe. In 2012, Griffiths became a partner at Pinsent Masons, which he joined in 2002. He has provided services in both English and French. In 2004, he became qualified to practise in England and Wales. At the College of Law of England and Wales (now the University of Law), he completed the legal practice course in 2002 and earned his postgraduate law diploma in 2001. He obtained his BA (honours) in history from the University of Durham in 2000. Words from Laura Cameron, current managing partner. "My congratulations to Richard," Cameron said in the firm's press release. "I know that he has the vision, judgement and conviction to lead the firm into its next chapter of growth." "I'd like to thank Laura for guiding the firm through a period of considerable investment and change with tremendous leadership and dedication," Griffiths said. "She has remained focused on positioning the firm for long-term success and I look forward to building on the strong foundations she has helped create." "I would also like to express my sincere thanks to Laura Cameron for her exceptional leadership and unwavering dedication to the firm," Maciver added. "She leaves a lasting legacy that has strengthened our business for the future." More Pinsent Masons news. On 22 June 2026, Pinsent Masons announced the appointment of Hayley Harris as its first global chief knowledge and artificial intelligence adoption officer. On 3 February 2026, Pinsent Masons highlighted its launch in Poland, with plans to open a Warsaw office in mid-2026.

Haynes Boone and Penningtons add international arbitration leaders in London. Firms recruit new practice heads from Vinson & Elkins and Pinsent Masons respectively 02 October 2026 Louise Woods Credit: Haynes Boone London's busy arbitration market has seen two leadership moves, with Haynes Boone and Penningtons Manches Cooper adding partners with experience in energy disputes to head their international arbitration practices. Louise Woods has joined Haynes Boone as chair of international disputes from Vinson & Elkins, while Penningtons has hired Jean-François Le Gal as head of international arbitration from Pinsent Masons. Woods spent 13 years at her former firm, where she served as European co-head of international disputes, and is joined on the move by an associate. Her arrival follows the addition of arbitration partner Philipp Kurek in May, formerly of Signature Litigation. Woods and Kurek are expected to work together on cross-border matters, expanding the London office's international commercial and investor-state arbitration capabilities. Woods advises on international commercial, investor-state and energy-related disputes, with experience involving Francophone Africa and Latin America. "Louise brings a strong international arbitration practice and deep experience in energy disputes that will complement our growing capabilities in London and our existing US team," said London office managing partner, Nick Davis. Advertisement He added: "Her experience across complex international matters and her connections throughout the international arbitration community will be valuable to our clients and our team." "Haynes Boone's culture really spoke to me, as did the enthusiasm I felt about growing the London office and expanding its energy disputes practice," Woods said. Woods is a solicitor-advocate in England and Wales and often appears at international arbitration tribunals. She is a former president of ArbitralWomen, which promotes women in arbitration, and remains on its advisory council. She also co-founded Women in Energy Connect, a London-based network for women in the energy sector. Woods is the fifth partner to join Haynes Boone's London office in 2026. Besides Kurek, the other arrivals have included real estate partner Angus Ford, fund finance partner Jeremy Cross and tax partner Alexandra Ueno-Park. For his part Le Gal spent more than eight years at Pinsents and before that practised at Brown Rudnick, Gide and Hogan Lovells. He bring more than two decades of experience in arbitration and related proceedings across multiple jurisdictions. Based in London, Le Gal will work closely with Penningtons' Paris office to support clients across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He is dual qualified in England and France, practising as a barrister in England and Wales and an avocat at the Paris Bar, and has worked in the DIFC. LAW OVER BORDERS COMPARATIVE GUIDES Commercial Litigation Law Guide This guide provides a practical and up-to-date overview of litigation, arbitration and alternative dispute resolution across key international jurisdictions... | 4mos. Like Brooks, his practice includes matters involving Africa and the Middle East, spanning energy and natural resources, life sciences and health, financial services, infrastructure and technology. Kamran Rehman, Penningtons' head of commercial dispute resolution, said his hire was "a significant step forward in our ambitions to build a market-leading international disputes practice." Clare Arthurs, head of strategy for dispute resolution, added: "International arbitration is a key strategic growth area for the firm and Jean-François brings exactly the experience and international reach we need to accelerate that growth." Le Gal also accepts appointments as sole arbitrator, co-arbitrator and tribunal chairman, and is registered with institutions including the ICC, LCIA, Dubai International Arbitration Centre, Cairo Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration and the CCJA-OHADA Arbitration Centre.