Peter Duff is the chairperson of Shoosmiths. His role is to lead the firm’s partnership in the delivery of its strategic vision, in supporting clients across the UK and internationally by trailblazing in client excellence and innovation. This encapsulates more than just client service, but how Shoosmiths interacts with its clients, staff and communities. Alongside the CEO, David Jackson, he leads on the firm's commitment to ESG and, in particular, its pledge to be net carbon neutral by 2025. He is a member of Business In the Community's Climate Action Leadership Team.
Before being elected to the role in 2015, Peter was head of the firm’s commercial division and, prior to that, head of the employment and pensions department.
Throughout his career, Peter has dealt with clients at board level and advising directors on the best tactics to achieve their strategic aims. As a result, he has developed a keen insight into, and understanding of, people, business culture and motivation which make him ideally placed to chair Shoosmiths’ partnership.
What clients want from their law firms is changing and Peter’s role is to ensure that this is mirrored precisely in the way that the firm’s legal teams are developed and supported, whilst sustaining its strong and distinctive culture, which is an authentic point of difference for Shoosmiths in a competitive legal market.
Peter remains a practising employment lawyer, advising predominantly corporate clients where he can use his extensive experience advising on boardroom disputes, large-scale business restructuring, collective issues and other strategic advice.
Peter joined Shoosmiths in 2004 from a city firm.