Mrs Motion, a highly respected litigation lawyer who became executive chairman in March 2014, remains as a partner at the firm. Mr Short takes up the role on February 1.

Mrs Motion said: “I’ve been in the chair’s seat for close to a decade and it has been a pleasure and a privilege to lead this great firm.

“However, I have been in the role much longer than I ever expected - 10 years is a long time in a leadership role, especially alongside complex and demanding client work – so I’m very happy to hand the baton to David Short.”

Mr Short joined Balfour and Manson in 2012 and took over as head of the litigation team when Mrs Motion became executive chairman in 2014.

He said: “It’s an honour to take up this role. Elaine’s shoes will be hard to fill as she has been a brilliant and formidable executive chairman, but I very much look forward to taking the reins and leading our excellent team at Balfour+Manson through the opportunities and challenges ahead.

“I’d like to thank Elaine for her tremendous leadership and look forward to drawing on her wide experience and wise counsel.”

Mr Short will work alongside the existing management team of Scott Foster, who joined the firm last year in the new role of chief operating officer, finance director Ken Dinneen and HR director Margaret Peet.