Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton has elected Mark Walker to become its new managing partner, as first revealed on www.thelawyer. com (5 May).

Walker succeeds Peter Karasz, who had been managing partner since 2000. Karasz died on 30 April following a four-year battle with cancer.

“Peter was a great friend and a wonderful lawyer,” said Walker. “He led Cleary Gottlieb with courage, energy and vision and we shall miss him deeply. During my nearly 40 years at the firm I worked closely with him, and I shall personally miss his guidance and support in my new role.

“As managing partner, I shall work with all of our partners to explore new opportunities to further our global practice.”

Walker, 63, joined the firm in 1966 and became a partner in 1975. Throughout his career he has been a key figure in expanding Cleary’s global presence, particularly in Latin America and Asia.

Before moving to the New York office in 1970, Walker was resident in the Paris and Brussels offices of the firm.