Hogan Lovells has named Paris partner and EMEA regional managing partner Marie-Aimée de Dampierre as its next chair, replacing Hamburg-based IP partner Leopold von Gerlach who completes his three-year term at the end of April.

De Dampierre has previously served in a number of leadership roles for the firm, including 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 last July.

Outgoing chair von Gerlach, who is stepping down after just one term, said: “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.”

De Dampierre has been at Hogan Lovells for 22 years, with her practice focused on IP litigation, particularly in the life sciences and healthcare, and media and technology industries. She has also previously been head of the Paris IP, media and technology team, as well as Paris office managing partner between 2010 and 2018.

She said: “Through the combination of my intellectual property practice and the leadership roles that I have held I have 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.”

Hogan Lovells is the latest global firm to install new leadership with a strong focus on diversity. Back in December, Norton Rose Fulbright appointed US head of employment Shauna Clark as its next US and global chair – the first woman of colour to hold either role. 

Clark said she would “work with colleagues and clients to advance racial equality, diversity and inclusion throughout our firm and the legal profession”.

In September, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer appointed Georgia Dawson as its next senior partner, making her the first woman to lead a magic circle firm.