Peter Duff is the previous Chair of Shoosmiths having stepped down in April 2024. Before being elected to as Chair 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, initially as an employment lawyer, 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 support the partnership and firm. It also allows him a great insight into service to clients and he will continue to support the firm’s initiatives in this area. He also remains at the forefront of 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.
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.