Kennedys has reappointed senior partner Nick Thomas for a fifth consecutive five-year term, after he stood unopposed for re-election.

Thomas became senior partner of the firm in 1997. He has now stood unopposed for his last three elections as senior partner – in 2007, 2012 and now this year.

On his watch, the firm has grown from 25 partners and two offices to 197 partners and 27 offices. The firm's revenue increased to £138.8m this year, up 7% from £129.9m last year. UK revenue also passed the £100m revenue mark for the first time, rising 2.4% to £102m.

Thomas said: "I will continue to drive Kennedys forward, with client need at the heart of all our decisions. Announcements of further growth are expected in 2017."

In 2016, Kennedys merged with London shipping boutique Waltons & Morse, gifting it five partners, one consultant and 13 other legal staff, and adding around £6m in revenue.

The firm also expanded its international footprint, opening offices in Brazil, Peru, Chile and Colombia during the course of the year. Earlier this month, the firm signed an association with Italian law firm Studio Legale Rinaldi Associati, which has offices in Milan, Rome and Bologna.