Passing the baton
On 1 March, the role of Managing Partner at Poul Schmith will change hands. After six successful years, Jens Bødtcher-Hansen’s term as Managing Partner is coming to an end, in line with the firm’s guidelines limiting the role to two three-year terms. Jens will therefore step down as Managing Partner on 1 March, when Rune Derno takes over.
On 1 March, the role of Managing Partner at Poul Schmith will change hands. After six successful years, Jens Bødtcher-Hansen’s term as Managing Partner is coming to an end, in line with the firm’s guidelines limiting the role to two three-year terms. Jens will therefore step down as Managing Partner on 1 March, when Rune Derno takes over.
Rune has been a partner in the firm since 2012 and, until taking over as Managing Partner, has also served on the board of directors. Here, he has been closely involved in the development of the firm’s new Strategy 2030, and he takes on the role with a deep understanding of the business and a strong strategic foundation.
"I am very grateful for the trust my fellow partners have shown in me, and I am incredibly excited to get started. Throughout my career, I have always focused my efforts on clients and their matters, but my work on the firm's board of directors, among other things, has sparked my interest in the firm’s strategic and leadership work. For the next few years, the firm’s overall interests will take priority, and I will approach the task with the same dedication. Today, we have a very robust business that continues to develop strongly, and I look forward to continuing this positive development together while preserving the firm's culture and values," says Rune Derno.
Rune has been with the firm since 2000, when he joined as a student. He specialises in insolvency and reconstruction, digitisation and debt collection, and has extensive experience in conducting litigation for both private and public entities. Rune therefore has experience across a wide range of the firm’s practice areas. Among other things, he has advised the Danish Tax Agency on the development of a new debt collection system, served as trustee in Lauritz.com and handled several major court cases concerning disputes related to corporate transactions and liability in connection with financial collapse.
Rune is 48 years old, married to Linnea, and has twin daughters, Esther and Vivian, aged 12.
Jens Bødtcher-Hansen will continue as Head of Infrastructure, Construction and Energy as of 1 March. Over the past six years, he has made a remarkable contribution to the firm during a period marked by everything from the coronavirus lockdown, new offices in Copenhagen, Aarhus and Nuuk, renegotiation of the firm’s agreement with the Danish State and a significant transformation of the firm.
New Managing Partner
Rune Derno
Managing Partner, Attorney