Hogan Lovells names its new global Chair

Hogan Lovells names its new global Chair

Paris IP partner and diversity and inclusion advocate Marie-Aimée de Dampierre take over from Leopold von Gerlach at the start of May

Global law firm Hogan Lovells has named its Paris partner and EMEA regional managing partner Marie-Aimée de Dampierre as its next chair. She will be replacing Hamburg-based IP partner Leopold von Gerlach who quits office at the end of April after completing his three-year tenure.

Marie-Aimée is an old hand at Hogan Lovells having been associated in various leadership roles for the past 22 years. Her previous roles include being at board level. She was elected to its 'at-large' seat in 2015 before joining its international management committee in 2018 while also taking up the position of chair of the firm's global diversity and inclusion committee. She became regional managing partner for EMEA in July 2020.

Marie-Aimée during her 22 stint with Hogan Lovells has expertise in the field of IP litigation, particularly in the life sciences and healthcare besides in media and technology industries. She had also been head of the Paris IP, media and technology team, as well as Paris office managing partner between 2010 and 2018.

"Marie-Aimée has made a huge contribution to our firm, and taking on the role of chair is a natural next step for her and for Hogan Lovells. She is a great ambassador for diversity and inclusion at the highest ranks and is ideally placed to support firm management in delivering on our strategic priorities," Leopold von Gerlach, the outgoing chair, who decided to step down after just one term, said about this successor.

"Through the combination of my intellectual property practice and the leadership roles that I've held I've experienced first-hand the true strength and diversity of our global firm. The impact of the global pandemic has brought unprecedented change to our people, our business and our clients, and highlighted the importance of innovating to stay connected," Marie-Aimée de Dampierre, said.

With Marie-Aimée taking over as Hogan Lovells' chair from 1 May 2021, Hogan Lovells becomes the latest and the third global firm to install new leadership with a strong focus on diversity.

Norton Rose Fulbright had appointed Shauna Clark, the US head of employment as its next US and global Chair in December 2020 to become the first woman of color to hold either role, while Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer appointed Georgia Dawson as its next senior partner in September 2020, making her the first woman to lead a magic circle firm.