BDB Pitmans announces new Senior and Managing Partners

BDB Pitmans is pleased to announce that Richard Langley has been appointed the firm’s new Senior Partner. He replaces John Hutchinson, who becomes the firm’s Managing Partner, taking over from Andrew Smith.

Richard has a long-standing career as a litigator, having joined legacy firm Bircham Dyson Bell in 1993. He is primarily a commercial litigator but combines that with specialist knowledge of Judicial Review and also leads BDB Pitmans’ successful practice as Privy Council agents, conducting over 50 appeals to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council over the past decade.

John was previously the head of the corporate department and then Managing Partner at Pitmans Law, and most recently Senior Partner at BDB Pitmans, providing support to colleagues across all four of the firm’s offices.

John takes on his new role from Andrew Smith, who is stepping down after serving two terms in office. During his time as Managing Partner, Andrew successfully led the firm through periods of significant growth and change, including the merger between legacy firms Bircham Dyson Bell (BDB) and Pitmans Law, the transition to fully remote working at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and the re-location of the firm’s Cambridge, London, and Southampton offices. Andrew has now returned to his practice within BDB Pitmans’ leading real estate team.

Richard Langley, Senior Partner at BDB Pitmans, said:

‘It is a privilege to become Senior Partner at a firm where I have developed my career. I look forward to working alongside John as Managing Partner to deliver the firm’s strategic vision over the next five years.’

John Hutchinson, Managing Partner at BDB Pitmans, commented:

‘Firstly, I would like to pay sincere thanks to my predecessor Andrew Smith and recognise all that he has accomplished over the last eight years. He has truly embodied the firm’s supportive, proactive, and ambitious culture and he will no doubt bolster BDB Pitmans’ real estate team with his renewed client focus. It is an honour to have been elected as the new Managing Partner for the firm and I am looking forward to driving BDB Pitmans’ revised strategy over the coming years.’

Andrew Smith, Partner at BDB Pitmans, added:

‘It has been a huge privilege to serve as Managing Partner for two terms and I am very pleased that John was the clear choice to lead the firm as it embarks on its new strategy. I am looking forward to returning to full-time client practice and contributing to our real estate expertise which goes from strength to strength.’