Baker & McKenzie has appointed intellectual property partner Paul Rawlinson to succeed outgoing London managing partner Gary Senior from 1 July 2013.

Rawlinson has been a member of Baker's London office management committee since 2011, as well as between 2001 and 2004, and will take on the post for an initial three year term. He was appointed following an uncontested election process last week.

He also served as global chair of the intellectual property practice between 2004 and 2010, is to take charge of Bakers' largest office, boasting 420 fee earners and 700 staff. He became partner in 1995 having joined Baker & McKenzie as a trainee in 1986.

Senior decided to step down after serving three terms as London managing partner, a role he first took up in 2003. On taking up his final term in 2010, Senior confirmed to partners that it was to be his last.

Rawlinson commented: "I and my London partners owe Gary a huge debt of gratitude for his service to the firm as managing partner, which has been defined by our success in building a strong UK client base, growing our corporate and specialist capability and firmly establishing ourselves as a leading global firm in the UK, despite the economic challenges we have all faced."

Senior said: "Paul is the ideal candidate to lead the London office of Baker & McKenzie into the next phase of its development. He has successfully undertaken a number of other management roles, in London and globally, and manages a number of our most significant global clients."

Senior is set to remain with the US firm beyond July in a role yet to be determined.