M&A partner Tim Bednall will be the next chairman of Mallesons Stephen Jaques, the firm announced today, following a recent decision from the Mallesons board.

Tim Bednall, new chairman of Mallesons Stephen Jaques

The appointment takes effect 1 January 2010 and will end the five-year term of Frank Zipfinger - a property, construction and environment partner,

Bednall said in the Mallesons statement that he looks forward to playing a role in the strategic direction of the firm and acting as a liaison between management, the partnership and the board.

"I also look forward to representing Mallesons in a non-executive capacity amongst clients, professional groups, community organisations and educational institutions," he said.

Bednall started his career with Finlaysons in Adelaide in the 1980s and has also acted as the executive general counsel of Southcorp Limited. He was a partner and head of M&A at Allens Arthur Robinson before joining Mallesons in 2004.