Key Points
- Mayer Brown has appointed Chris Harvey as managing partner of its London office, effective 1 October 2026.
- Harvey succeeds Dominic Griffiths, who has held the London managing partner position since 2022.
- Griffiths will move into a new leadership role as a member of Mayer Brown’s global Management Committee.
- Harvey is a partner in Mayer Brown’s market-leading Real Estate practice and co-leader of the firm’s global Real Estate group.
- He joined Mayer Brown in 2012 and has advised investors, funds, property companies, banks and developers on UK and international real estate transactions.
- Harvey has particular experience advising private equity and Asian, US and European investors investing in the UK real estate market.
- He led Mayer Brown’s work on the acquisition of the “Walkie Talkie”, described by the firm as the UK’s largest-ever office complex property transaction.
- Mayer Brown Chair Jon Van Gorp said London remains central to the firm’s international platform and strategic growth priorities.
- Van Gorp said Harvey’s client focus, commercial judgement and collaborative approach would support the London office’s next phase.
- Harvey said he was privileged to lead the London office and praised its team, client base and culture of collaboration.
- Mayer Brown said Harvey will oversee the strategic direction and operations of the London office while supporting talent development, client relationships and the firm’s cross-border platform.
- The appointment follows a strong period for Mayer Brown’s London office, which reported 20.5% revenue growth in 2025 compared with the previous year.
- The London office also celebrated its 130th anniversary in the City of London in 2025.
- Mayer Brown said the 2025 performance was supported by collaboration across its global network and strategic investment responding to client demand for private capital capabilities and greater product and industry specialisation.
Mayer Brown has appointed real estate partner Chris Harvey as managing partner of its London office from 1 October 2026, succeeding Dominic Griffiths as the firm continues to develop its London platform following a period of reported revenue growth and strategic investment.
The appointment was announced by Mayer Brown on 28 September 2026. Harvey will take responsibility for the strategic direction and operations of the firm’s London office, while continuing to contribute to the firm’s real estate practice and wider international platform.
Dominic Griffiths, who has served as London managing partner since 2022, will leave the office leadership position and take up a new role as a member of Mayer Brown’s global Management Committee.
When will Chris Harvey become Mayer Brown’s London managing partner?
Chris Harvey will formally become managing partner of Mayer Brown’s London office on 1 October 2026.
The appointment represents a change in leadership at one of the firm’s major international offices. Mayer Brown described London as central to its international platform and strategic growth priorities.
Harvey brings experience from the firm’s Real Estate practice to the office leadership role. He is a partner in the practice and co-leader of Mayer Brown’s global Real Estate group. His professional work has involved investment, development and finance transactions for investors, funds, property companies, banks and developers.
His experience has included cross-border transactions involving investors from Asia, the United States and Europe seeking to invest in the UK real estate market.
The firm said Harvey will now have responsibility for the strategic direction and operations of the London office, alongside his existing client and practice responsibilities.
Who is Chris Harvey?
Chris Harvey joined Mayer Brown in 2012 and has developed a practice focused on major real estate transactions in the UK and international markets.
According to Mayer Brown, Harvey has extensive experience advising investors, funds, property companies, banks and developers on investment, development and finance transactions. His work has included a particular focus on private equity and Asian, US and European investors investing in UK real estate.
Harvey has also been involved in significant London property transactions.
Mayer Brown said he led its work on the acquisition of the “Walkie Talkie”, referring to 20 Fenchurch Street in the City of London. The firm described the transaction as the UK’s largest-ever office complex property transaction.
His previous professional recognition has also included listings in legal industry directories. For example, Legal 500’s UK rankings have recognised Harvey in commercial property investment and corporate occupier work, while Chambers’ real estate rankings have previously described his work with overseas clients investing in UK property.
Why is Dominic Griffiths leaving the London managing partner role?
Dominic Griffiths has held the London managing partner position since 2022.
Mayer Brown said Griffiths will now focus on a new leadership role as a member of the firm’s global Management Committee. The move therefore represents a change in his leadership responsibilities rather than an announcement that he is leaving the firm.
The firm credited Griffiths with leading the London office during a period of strategic growth and record performance.
Chris Harvey specifically referred to Griffiths’ tenure in his statement about the appointment.
As stated by Chris Harvey in Mayer Brown’s announcement: “Dom has led the office through a period of strategic growth and record performance.”
Harvey said he looked forward to working with colleagues across London and the wider firm to continue that progress.
The transition therefore places Harvey in charge of the London office while Griffiths takes on a position within Mayer Brown’s global management structure.
What did Jon Van Gorp say about Chris Harvey’s appointment?
Mayer Brown Chair Jon Van Gorp welcomed Harvey’s appointment and highlighted his experience with clients, the London market and the firm’s wider business.
As stated by Jon Van Gorp in Mayer Brown’s announcement, Harvey is “an outstanding lawyer and a proven leader” with knowledge of Mayer Brown’s clients, people and the London market.
Van Gorp also said London is central to Mayer Brown’s international platform and strategic growth priorities.
He referred to Harvey’s client focus, commercial judgement and collaborative approach as factors supporting the appointment.
According to Van Gorp, these qualities would position Harvey to build on the progress made during Dominic Griffiths’ leadership and guide the London office through its next period.
The statement comes directly from Mayer Brown’s announcement and represents the firm’s assessment of Harvey’s experience and suitability for the role rather than an independent assessment.
What will Chris Harvey be responsible for as managing partner?
As managing partner, Harvey will oversee the strategic direction and operations of Mayer Brown’s London office.
The firm said his responsibilities will include supporting the continued development of its talent, client relationships and cross-border platform.
That role sits alongside his continuing involvement in the firm’s Real Estate practice.
Harvey’s existing practice focuses on high-value transactions involving property investors, funds, companies, banks and developers. His experience with international investors also connects the London office to Mayer Brown’s broader cross-border business.
The appointment therefore combines an office management responsibility with Harvey’s existing real estate leadership position.
Mayer Brown’s real estate practice includes investment, development and finance work, as well as related areas such as real estate funds, joint ventures, real estate finance and corporate real estate services.
What did Chris Harvey say about becoming London managing partner?
Chris Harvey described the appointment as a privilege and highlighted the London office’s existing strengths.
As stated by Harvey in Mayer Brown’s announcement: “It is a privilege to be asked to lead Mayer Brown’s London office at such an exciting time for the firm.”
Harvey said London has an exceptional team, a distinctive client base and a culture of collaboration between practices and offices.
He also acknowledged Griffiths’ contribution to the office.
Harvey said Griffiths had led the London office through a period of strategic growth and record performance. He added that he intended to work with colleagues across London and Mayer Brown more broadly to continue that progress.
He also identified deepening client relationships and maintaining high levels of service as priorities.
The statement reflects Harvey’s own description of his priorities for the role and Mayer Brown’s stated expectations for the leadership transition.
How has Mayer Brown’s London office performed recently?
The appointment follows a reported period of strong financial performance for Mayer Brown’s London office.
Mayer Brown said the office recorded 20.5% revenue growth in 2025 compared with the previous year.
The firm attributed the performance to continued collaboration across its global network and targeted strategic investment.
Mayer Brown said those investments responded to client demand for expanded private capital capabilities and increased product and industry specialisation.
The London office also marked its 130th anniversary in the City of London in 2025.
The combination of historical presence, reported revenue growth and continuing investment provides the corporate context for Harvey’s appointment.
It also places the leadership transition within a broader strategy involving the development of Mayer Brown’s international platform rather than presenting the appointment as an isolated personnel change.
How does Chris Harvey’s real estate background connect with Mayer Brown’s London strategy?
Harvey’s real estate background is closely connected with Mayer Brown’s work for international investors and private capital.
The firm said he has particular experience advising Asian, US and European investors investing in the UK property market.
His work has covered investment, development and finance transactions, giving him experience across several areas of commercial property.
Mayer Brown has continued to develop its London real estate and private capital offering. In February 2026, the firm announced the appointments of real estate lawyers Mark Rajbenbach and Victoria Butcher as London partners, describing the appointments as part of its expansion of its London Real Estate and Private Equity offering.
Harvey’s appointment as London managing partner therefore follows other developments in the firm’s London real estate business.
The firm’s public materials also list Harvey among its London Real Estate partners and identify him as a contact for its real estate and private equity real estate practices.
What role does London play in Mayer Brown’s international business?
Mayer Brown has characterised London as a central part of its international platform.
Jon Van Gorp specifically referred to London’s importance to the firm’s international platform and strategic growth priorities in announcing Harvey’s appointment.
London also provides a base for the firm to advise international investors entering the UK market.
Harvey’s work illustrates that cross-border function. Mayer Brown said he regularly advises Asian, US and European investors on UK real estate investment.
The firm has also worked on major transactions involving international capital and London property. Its public records include transactions involving investors and companies from Hong Kong, Europe and other international markets.
The London office therefore has a role extending beyond domestic UK legal work, with cross-border transactions forming part of its business.
What does the leadership change mean for Mayer Brown’s legal operations?
The appointment gives Harvey responsibility for managing an office that combines multiple legal practices and international client relationships.
His new responsibilities include office operations, strategic direction, talent development and client relationships, while his existing position in the Real Estate practice gives him a continuing role in client-facing legal work.
For a global law firm, office leadership can involve coordinating different practice areas while maintaining relationships with clients and other offices.
Mayer Brown’s announcement places particular emphasis on collaboration across practices and offices, which Harvey also highlighted in his statement.
This is relevant to Legal, Contracts and Procurement, where legal professionals and corporate teams increasingly work across multiple jurisdictions, transactions and regulatory requirements.
What happens to Mayer Brown’s London leadership after 1 October?
From 1 October 2026, Chris Harvey will take over as managing partner of Mayer Brown’s London office, while Dominic Griffiths moves into the firm’s global Management Committee.
The transition follows the London office’s reported 20.5% revenue growth in 2025 and a period of targeted investment in response to client demand.
Harvey has stated that his priorities include continuing the office’s progress, deepening client relationships and maintaining service standards.
His appointment also comes against the backdrop of continued development in Mayer Brown’s London real estate and private capital capabilities.
The firm’s announcement does not provide specific financial targets for Harvey’s tenure or identify particular acquisitions or expansions that will follow his appointment. It instead sets out his broad responsibility for strategic direction, operations, talent and client relationships.
As the transition takes effect, the London office will therefore continue under new local leadership while Griffiths takes on a global management responsibility within Mayer Brown.
The appointment also reinforces the importance of leadership and organisational strategy within large professional-services firms. For professionals examining these issues alongside legal operations, Management and Leadership provides a relevant area of study, particularly where leadership responsibilities intersect with client relationships, strategic growth and cross-border organisational management.