Clayton Utz has chosen Darryl McDonough to succeed David Fagan as chief executive partner when Fagan’s term ends on 30 June 2010. Fagan, who has led the firm since 2001, elected not to stand for reappointment but told ALB that he will stay at the firm following the conclusion of his term.

McDonough was selected by the Clayton Utz board to serve a three year term and will start working with Fagan early next year to ensure a smooth transition.

McDonough currently works as a partner in Clayton’s Brisbane office in its corporate practice area group and is also serving as a director of Super Cheap Auto Group. His board experience is also represented by his former directorships at Bank of Queensland, Cellnet Group, Brisbane Cricket Trust and GWA Group of Companies. He also served as deputy chairman and chairman of the Queensland Competition Authority.

In his nine years as chief executive partner, Fagan implemented a national partnership structure and built Clayton Utz into a practice with more than 215 partners and 1,900 other lawyers and staff while doubling revenue to A$490m in the last financial year.

As a member of the 10-strong board, Fagan was involved in McDonough’s appointment and said he is confident that his successor will be able to make his mark and take the firm forward. “I think he will be a great chief executive partner for the firm,” he said. “The firm’s got an incredible amount of momentum and a great future ahead of it so I’m very proud to be handing over the firm in the condition that it’s in.”