Interlaw, the elite global legal network, has announced that Michael Pattinson has been appointed as its new global Chair. He takes over from Glenn Cunningham, who steps down following a period of significant success for the award-winning network.

Michael, who is international strategy partner at leading UK-headquartered firm, Trowers & Hamlins, has been an active member of the Interlaw board for several years, most recently serving as Vice Chair. Michael worked closely with Glenn to help Interlaw successfully navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, with the network demonstrating its resilience and adaptability thanks to its already established technology-first approach.

During this time, Interlaw has also continued to grow, expanding its presence with new partner firms in world-leading legal centres such as the United States of America, and in several strategically important emerging markets including Africa. In addition, its investment in digital infrastructure, combined with its continued commitment to innovation across all areas of operations, saw the organization win Global Network of the Year at The Lawyer Awards in 2022.   

Commenting on his appointment, Michael Pattinson says:   

“It has been a pleasure to work closely with Glenn during his term as Chair, witnessing his passion and ambition for Interlaw during a time of huge change both during, and following, the COVID-19 pandemic. If there is one word I could use to describe Glenn, it would be ‘engagement.’ His focus on collaboration has seen our organization flourish, creating a legacy of teamwork and comradeship that I am proud to inherit.   

“My role is to build on this and transition the organization to the next generation, working with my colleagues to continue our evolution as a world class partnership of leading law firm networks, that sets the standards in legal practice.”   

Interlaw also launched several new initiatives during its 40th anniversary year, including an ambitious project with Thomson Reuters to create a new set of global client care standards, and a dedicated philanthropic committee and impact fund, Interlaw Cares. This enables the network to provide financial and pro-bono support in jurisdictions where members are based following a crisis event and through which Interlaw invests financially in local community projects.   

Glenn Cunningham, who remains on the Board of Directors of Interlaw for a further two years comments:   

“Being Interlaw Chair over the past five years has been a great privilege, particularly during our 40th anniversary year. During this time, we have risen above the global challenges and stayed connected, establishing our position as an agile, digitally enabled organization, capable of servicing the most complex, multi-jurisdictional client needs.   

“I believe Interlaw is truly unique and I look forward to supporting Michael and the rest of the team as the success of our network continues.”