Baker McKenzie Mourns Sudden Demise of Global Chief Paul Rawlinson

Following the unexpected death of chair Paul Rawlinson on Friday, 12 April, 2019, a pall of gloom has descended on Baker McKenzie.

Rawlinson, a veteran intellectual property (IP) specialist, took charge of the 4,700-lawyer giant in October 2016. In October last year, he took what was originally expected to be a temporary leave of absence, citing exhaustion.

A Bakers spokesperson in a statement released on Sunday evening (14 April), said, “It is with great sadness that we convey the news of the unexpected passing of Paul Rawlinson, the firm’s global chair, on Friday.”

“The firm’s thoughts are with Paul’s wife Alison and their two children, whom the firm will be helping through these very difficult times. Our thoughts also go out to the very many friends at Baker McKenzie and outside the firm that worked with and admired Paul. For all of us, Paul was a visionary, a true leader and a good friend. He will be greatly missed,” the spokesperson said.

Latin America chair Jaime Trujillo, who was appointed acting chair in October 2018, will continue in Paul’s role till a permanent successor is appointed.

Rawlinson joined the firm in 1986, made it to partner in 1996, and by 2004 was leading the firm’s global IP practice group, building a reputation for developing relationships with marquee clients such as Unilever, L’Oréal and British American Tobacco.

He took over as the London Managing Partner in 2013 and three years later, launched his bid to replace Eduardo Leite and become the firm’s first British global chair.

This year, Bakers posted one of its best financial performances in recent history with revenue growing 10% to $2.9bn and partner profits surging 13% to $1.44m.