Jo Hewitt has been appointed Managing Partner of Baker McKenzie's London office, the first female leader to take up the role. Her term will run from 1 October 2026 until 30 June 2029.
Jo is co-head of the Corporate Reorganisations team in London, with a particular focus on advising multinational groups on the structuring, implementation and management of complex corporate reorganisation projects including post-acquisition integrations, holding company restructurings and group rationalisations.
Her practice also encompasses company law and corporate governance advisory work for private companies, including assisting clients to embed good corporate governance policies and practices across their organisations.
Having trained and started her career at Baker McKenzie, Jo worked at Latham & Watkins and Olswang as an associate, then a senior associate, respectively, before returning to the Firm as a Partner in 2016.
She has been part of the London office’s Management Committee for the past year, and is an active member of BakerWomen, supporting and encouraging female talent across the business, and beyond.
Jo succeeds Ed Poulton, who was first elected to the role of London Office Managing Partner in July 2021. Ed will continue to play a part in implementing the Firm’s strategy as EMEA Chair of the Global Dispute Resolution practice.
Jo Hewitt commented:
“I am hugely excited to be taking on the role of London Office Managing Partner in the autumn. It is a privilege to represent such a talented team of lawyers and business professionals, whose ability to bring together deep subject matter expertise with a global perspective and an innovative mindset has never been more needed. I look forward to supporting the team as we support our clients with their most significant matters against a backdrop of rapid technological and geopolitical change.”
Ed Poulton commented:
“It gives me the greatest pleasure to see Jo appointed as our next London Office Managing Partner. Not only a brilliant and impressive lawyer but also a fierce champion of female talent in the legal industry, I can think of no one better to pass the baton on to.”
Alex Chadwick, Baker McKenzie’s Chief Executive, EMEA, added:
“I would like to thank Ed for the superb work he has done to lead the London office in his five year tenure. I have no doubt that Jo will continue to build on the already impressive platform as a fantastic ambassador for the Firm.”
Jo is co-head of the Corporate Reorganisations team in London, with a particular focus on advising multinational groups on the structuring, implementation and management of complex corporate reorganisation projects including post-acquisition integrations, holding company restructurings and group rationalisations.
Her practice also encompasses company law and corporate governance advisory work for private companies, including assisting clients to embed good corporate governance policies and practices across their organisations.
Having trained and started her career at Baker McKenzie, Jo worked at Latham & Watkins and Olswang as an associate, then a senior associate, respectively, before returning to the Firm as a Partner in 2016.
She has been part of the London office’s Management Committee for the past year, and is an active member of BakerWomen, supporting and encouraging female talent across the business, and beyond.
Jo succeeds Ed Poulton, who was first elected to the role of London Office Managing Partner in July 2021. Ed will continue to play a part in implementing the Firm’s strategy as EMEA Chair of the Global Dispute Resolution practice.
Jo Hewitt commented:
“I am hugely excited to be taking on the role of London Office Managing Partner in the autumn. It is a privilege to represent such a talented team of lawyers and business professionals, whose ability to bring together deep subject matter expertise with a global perspective and an innovative mindset has never been more needed. I look forward to supporting the team as we support our clients with their most significant matters against a backdrop of rapid technological and geopolitical change.”
Ed Poulton commented:
“It gives me the greatest pleasure to see Jo appointed as our next London Office Managing Partner. Not only a brilliant and impressive lawyer but also a fierce champion of female talent in the legal industry, I can think of no one better to pass the baton on to.”
Alex Chadwick, Baker McKenzie’s Chief Executive, EMEA, added:
“I would like to thank Ed for the superb work he has done to lead the London office in his five year tenure. I have no doubt that Jo will continue to build on the already impressive platform as a fantastic ambassador for the Firm.”
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