Eversheds Sutherland has elected its next co-chief executives, with Keith Froud to take the helm of the international business and Lino Mendiola to take over as head of the US arm in the second quarter of 2025.

Their elections mark the first leadership change at the firm since its creation in 2017 through the merger of UK law firm Eversheds and US outfit Sutherland Asbill & Brennan, which formed a firm in the global top 40 by size.

London-based Froud has been managing partner of the international business since 2017 and will begin his four year term as chief executive on 1 May 2025. He succeeds former legacy Eversheds managing partner Lee Ranson, who will stand down at the completion of his two terms in the role. 

Meantime Mendiola will begin his four-year term at the start of next April, succeeding Mark Wasserman who has served five terms as managing partner and co-CEO, having led legacy Sutherland prior to the merger.  

Both incoming chief executives are veterans of the firm and its predecessors. Froud, who specialises in M&A, stock exchange and public takeover work, joined legacy Eversheds more than 30 years ago and was the firm’s international head of company commercial between 2011 and 2017. Mendiola, who works out of Austin, joined Sutherland in 2015 as an energy and regulatory partner from legacy Andrews Kurth. Before his election to the chief executive role he served as the co-head of global energy and the US practice group leader for energy. He was also a member of the US executive committee for a four-year term from 2019 to 2023. 

Eversheds declined to comment on Ranson's and Wasserman's next steps following the completion of their terms. The duo have overseen significant growth at the firm since its creation, with lawyer headcount increasing from 3,000 in 2018 – the first full year following the merger – to around 3,500 in 2023. Meantime global revenue has jumped by 46% from CY2018 to CY2023 to $1.48bn, while profit per equity partner has grown by 30% in that time, to $1.51m. 

Ranson said Froud had been an "outstanding managing partner over the past seven years, and I have every confidence in his ability to lead the firm in this next period." He added: "It has been a great honor to lead this fantastic firm and I look forward to seeing it continue to flourish.”

Wasserman similarly highlighted Mendiola's leadership qualities, saying he was confident Mendiola would "guide the firm through the next period of growth with the same dedication and vision that has defined his career." 

He added: "Leading the firm for the last 20 years has been the most rewarding experience of my professional life and I am deeply grateful for the support and trust of our clients, partners and firm colleagues.”

Following Froud's transition to chief executive the managing partner role for Eversheds' international business will be shared between Keri Rees, current head of corporate and commercial, and European managing partner Helen Thomas. They will begin their roles 1 May 2025 and focus on practice groups and regions and clients and business delivery respectively. 

The international arm's executive team is rounded out by chief financial officer Julian Lee and chief people officer Lorraine Kilborn.

Meantime as of the start of next April the US arm's executive team will include Mendiola and Adam Cohen, who has been appointed executive partner. Cohen is currently the co-chair of the firm's global board and will take over from incumbent Cynthia Krus.