Baker McKenzie Appoints Sunny Mann As Global Chair
Baker McKenzie, a leading global law firm, has announced the election of Sunny Mann, International Trade, Compliance and Investigations Partner, as the firm’s new Global Chair. He will take over the role from Milton Cheng in October 2025 for a four-year term.
Based in London, Sunny currently serves as the Global Chair of the firm’s market-leading International Trade Practice Group. His global experience spans across Baker McKenzie’s offices in Washington DC, New York, Sydney, and Hong Kong.
Sunny is widely recognized for advising FTSE 100 and Fortune 100 clients on compliance and investigations related to trade, sanctions, export controls, and anti-bribery regulations. He also chairs Baker McKenzie’s Geopolitical Risks Taskforce and led the firm’s client response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. His team advised around a quarter of companies across the Fortune 100, FTSE 100, CAC 40, and DAX 40 on managing geopolitical disruption.
A Band 1 ranked practitioner by The Legal 500 and Chambers, Sunny is also a Visiting Professor at King’s College London (teaching sanctions on the LLM course) and previously taught corporate compliance for 15 years at the College of Europe.
Effective 1 July 2025, Sunny will sit on Baker McKenzie’s Global Management Committee, which will also include regional Chief Executives Alex Chadwick (EMEA), Colin Murray (Americas), and Steven Sieker (Asia Pacific), and partners Scott Brandman, Amar Budarapu, Pamela Church, Matthew Dening, Andre Gan, Karen Guch, Isabella Liu, and Christian Vocke.
Sunny Mann, Firm Chair-Elect, said,
“It is an immense privilege to have been elected by my fellow partners to the role of Global Chair in our great Firm. Over its 75 years’ history, our Firm made its name supporting clients to navigate cross-border complexity. Given the levels of change and market disruption we are now witnessing around the world, I am confident that with our unparalleled international reach, there is no firm better placed to support clients navigate the complex and turbulent demands of our current global climate.
I am grateful to Milton, our current Chair, and the outgoing leadership team for their years of dedicated service. I very much look forward to working alongside the incoming Global Management Committee. Above all, I am excited to collaborate with my 13,000+ brilliant colleagues across over 70 offices globally; and it is this collective, pan-global strength that gives me great optimism for our future.
On a personal note, this is a particularly special moment for me as Baker McKenzie has developed me both as a lawyer and as a person since I joined back in 2000. Over my 25 years of service here, I have been privileged to work in 5 offices across 4 continents, to support the largest clients on best-in-class cross-border work, and to lead teams of talented lawyers and professionals across the globe. Baker McKenzie has given me so much, and it is an honour to be able repay this great Firm through serving as its Global Chair. The next few years are going to be exciting for us, and full of opportunity: I can’t wait to get to work.”
Milton Cheng, Firm Chair, said,
“I am extremely proud of what we have achieved for our clients and our people in the past six years. I am excited for the years to come and have no doubt Sunny will take Baker McKenzie to even greater heights, leveraging an impeccable track-record in building and leading a successful practice while championing our core values. I look forward to working closely with Sunny in the next few months to ensure a seamless transition.”
Milton Cheng made history as the first Asian to be appointed as Chair of Baker McKenzie. His tenure has been marked by consistent revenue growth, strategic lateral hires, and innovation. Under his leadership, the firm crossed the USD 3 billion revenue mark for the first time in 2021 and has continued on a path of steady global expansion.
Wong & Partners, a member firm of Baker McKenzie International said,
“Congratulations to Sunny Mann on his election as Baker McKenzie’s next Global Chair!”
Leila Leblond, Head of Global BDMC Operations, said,
“Great news from the Firm — pleased to share that Sunny Mann has been elected as our next Chair. Congratulations, Sunny! Looking forward to what’s ahead.”
David Scott, Corporate Partner; Head of M&A, London; Co-Head Consumer Goods & Retail, London, said, ” Great news 👏”
Justine Phillips, Partner at Baker McKenzie | Cyber Attorney | Author | Speaker said,
“The stars are aligned with the incomparable Sunny Mann leading Baker McKenzie as our next Global Chair. Very excited for our firm’s future building on his global vision of unity and service. ⭐️⭐️⭐️”
Filip Boras, BakerMcKenzie Partner focusing on arbitration said,
“Proud of our new Global Chair! Sunny Mann stands for my values and has great energy and charisma to lead the firm into a bright future!”
Lerisha (Lee) Naidu, Country Managing Partner, Baker McKenzie Johannesburg Partner in Antitrust and Competition Law Practice and Local Practice Group Lead, said,
“Elated for our Firm at the announcement of our new global Chair Sunny Mann! Many congratulations Sunny!”
Tomoko Sasaki, Senior Corporate Immigration Lawyer at Baker McKenzie | Vice Chair of UK Japan Connect | The Japan Society Trustee, said,
“Thrilled to congratulate Sunny Mann on being appointed as Baker McKenzie’s new Global Chair! 🎉 I’m incredibly proud to have a leader who brings such genuine passion for inclusion and diversity to guide our firm forward. Sunny’s commitment to fostering an environment where every voice is heard and valued will undoubtedly strengthen our global community. This marks an exciting new chapter for Baker McKenzie, and I couldn’t be more optimistic about the future under Sunny’s leadership. Here’s to continued growth, innovation, and making our firm an even better place for all of us to thrive.Congratulations, Sunny! 👏”
Denise Lee-Verghese, ACC, Senior Manager, Content & Campaigns, Global Marketing, said,
“A bright spot on a Monday, knowing Sunny Mann is going to be our next Global Chair:)”
Jay Connolly, Global Chief People Officer | Human Capital Expert | Speaker | CHRO | Executive Coach, said,
“Congratulations to Sunny Mann and thanks and appreciation to Milton W. M. Cheng for his leadership. As we look ahead we are excited to build on the strength of our Firm with Sunny’s inclusive leadership, guidance, insights.”
Carl TONG, Junior associate, said, “Congratulations Sunny!”
Milton W. M. Cheng, Global Chair at Baker McKenzie, said
“Congratulations Sunny! Absolutely delighted for you, and for our Firm to have you as our next Global Chair. I know you will be brilliant in the role and a fantastic ambassador for Baker McKenzie!”
Alex Chadwick, Chief Executive, EMEA+ and Tax Lawyer at Baker McKenzie, said
“I am thrilled to share that International Trade, Compliance and Investigations partner Sunny Mann has been elected as Baker McKenzie’s next Global Chair. Sunny will succeed Milton W. M. Cheng and will officially begin his four-year term in October. Sunny’s extensive experience and dedication to excellence make him the perfect choice for the role. Please join me in congratulating Sunny on this well-deserved achievement! 🎉”
Julie Barlin, Business Development | Emerging Markets Leader | Diversity & Inclusion Advocate, said
“A fantastic choice, Sunny Mann congratulations!”
Kate Morton (nee Bullard), Senior Events Manager at Baker McKenzie | Co-Founder of Eventprofslive Networking Group for corporate event professionals | C&IT’s Corporate A-List- Top 20 Event Planner in the UK, said,
“Congratulations to Sunny Mann on the fantastic news of being elected as our new Global Chair!”
Kerry Contini, Baker McKenzie Partner | Trade, Sanctions, Export Controls | Global Sanctions Investigations Group, said
“I am thrilled to share this news with all of you: Sunny Mann has been elected by the Baker McKenzie partnership as our next Global Chair. Sunny has chaired our global trade group over the past several years, providing steady and inspirational leadership to our people and strategic advice to our clients through the Russia crisis, trade wars, and everything in between. I am excited for this next chapter!”
Marie E. Hebert, Director of Global Media Relations, said,
“Starting the week with some exciting news! Many congratulations to our Chair-elect, Sunny Mann! More information about this leadership transition in our press release.”
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