Slaughter and May appoints first Chief Operating Officer

Slaughter and May, the leading international law firm, today announces the appointment of Jill Hoseason as the firm’s first Chief Operating Officer (COO). Jill will take up the role on 1 February 2022.

Today’s news follows the announcement in June detailing a change in structure of the executive function at Slaughter and May. This change, to create a Managing Partner and a COO role, is in anticipation of the planned retirement of Practice Partner David Wittmann and Executive Partner Paul Stacey in April 2022.

Deborah Finkler was elected to the role of Managing Partner in September and will take up the role on 1 May 2022. She will take on the functions of the Practice Partner, together with the strategic elements of the Executive Partner’s role. Jill will take on the managerial and operational aspects of the Executive Partner’s role.

Jill will work closely with and report into Deborah, as well as current Executive Partner, Paul Stacey until his retirement. Prior to her appointment Jill has spent 13 years at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, in a number of roles, most recently Global Chief Operating Officer.

Deborah commented, “I am excited to announce Jill’s appointment and I am looking forward to our working closely together. Her background and experience will be enormously valuable as we step into the new management structure.”

Jill added, “I am delighted to be joining Slaughter and May at this moment in time. A change in management and the creation of these two new roles is an exciting challenge and I very much look forward to getting started.”

Steve Cooke said, “I have no doubt that Deborah and Jill will be a fantastic combination that will support the firm and enable it to continue to deliver the very best for our clients and our people.”