LONDON--Edelman’s top lobbyist Michael Burrell is departing the firm after a nine-year run in charge of the firm’s public affairs practice.

Widely-respected, Burrell is currently vice chairman of Edelman Europe, and is understood to be leaving by the beginning of July. He declined to comment on whether he had another role lined up.

Burrell joined Edelman in 2002, and has helped to turn Edelman into a significant public affairs force in London and Brussels, while launching new operations in Paris, Madrid, Dublin and Berlin. In 2009, Total Politics ranked him the second most influential PA consultant in the UK, while Public Affairs News has described him as “a European public affairs legend.”

“His contribution has been huge and I, personally, will miss his wise counsel,” said Edelman EMEA CEO Robert Phillips.

Prior to joining Edelman, Burrell was chairman of Westminster Strategy, which he co-founded in 1986. From 2000 to 2002, he served as chairman of the Association of Professional Political Consultants (APPC).