The appointment was made following the Group's annual members' conference in Zurich earlier this month.

The group represents an alliance of 47 law firms covering around 10,000 lawyers in 260 cities across the globe. It declares itself as a service offering clients access to local legal expertise in worldwide jurisdictions via a call to any member firm.

Davis said the Group is a network that emphasises collegiality and a "best friends" philosophy - an approach that in the current economic environment he said is essential.

"Now, more than ever, networks are important - they help member firms leverage contacts and client referrals and utilise the wealth of experience and skills of all members," he said in a statement released by Minter Ellison.

Davis will serve as president of the Group until 2011. He has plenty of experience to fill the role, given his previous tenure as regional director of the Asia-Pacific division of the World Law Group, and as chair of its Membership Committee