CC New York partner Kirsch to succeed Peter Chaffetz

Clifford Chance New York partner Mark Kirsch is to become the firm's litigation and dispute resolution head, succeeding Peter Chaffetz on 1 May.

Kirsch, who has headed the firm's US litigation practice for the past four years, stood uncontested for the global role. He will serve a four-year term.

He said: "I look forward to working with partners and other practice area leaders across the firm to continue providing the high level of legal service our clients have come to expect."

Chaffetz, who has led the global litigation practice for the past four years, will return to full time fee-earning.

Kirsch made partner with Rogers & Wells in 1998 before joining Clifford Chance via the two firms' 2000 merger..

He focuses his practice on financial litigation and regulatory and white collar investigations and defence.

Prior to joining Clifford Chance Kirsch served as assistant United States attorney in the Eastern District of New York between 1991 and 1995, focusing on financial crimes.