The City of London Law Society (CLLS) has appointed Patrick McCann, the former global director of learning at Linklaters, as its new chief executive.
The CLLS represents over 21,000 solicitors and 67 member firms in the City of London, and is renowned for its outreach and support programs.
Patrick McCann brings more than 30 years of experience working with major law firms and leading social mobility initiatives. He began his career at Bird & Bird as a training manager, then moved on to head of learning roles at BCLP and Herbert Smith Freehills, before becoming the director of learning at Linklaters, where he spent eight years.
In addition to his work with City firms, McCann has been associated with the CLLS since 2010. He founded the Social Welfare Solicitors’ Qualification Fund, which has raised over £1.2 million to assist more than 120 social welfare lawyers in qualifying. He also serves as co-CEO of City Century, a coalition of over 50 firms supporting solicitor apprenticeships, and TheLLP!, a development program for emerging leaders in law who identify as queer. McCann is the current UK Social Mobility Awards Champion of the Year.
McCann was featured in the 2025 Legal Cheek Firms Most List. Speaking about his appointment, he said, ‘It is a privilege to be taking on this role… I have worked with the CLLS for many years, most recently as its Training Committee Chair but also on some fantastic collaborative initiatives, and am deeply impressed at how much talent and goodwill there is. I am excited to make the most of this opportunity to leverage all the great work our sector does and drive positive impact, both within and beyond law.’
Outgoing chief executive, Matthew Rous, commented, ‘I can think of nobody more capable to hand over the reins to than Patrick. He has been the dynamo behind some of our most impactful campaigns in recent years, as well as an inspirational Chair of our Training Committee.’
McCann will officially succeed Rous in September 2025.
