Clifford Chance (CC) has named its new global litigation chief with Jeremy Sandelson winning the hotly-contested election.

Sandelson has held the role of London managing partner since 2005 after spending a term as UK head of litigation.

The election closed today (7 October) after a vote by the firm's global litigation partnership.

The role becomes official immediately and runs for a four-year period. Sandelson will continue to hold his post as London managing partner until a successor is appointed. It is expected that elections for the position will commence soon.

The post of global litigation head became vacant after former chief Mark Kirsch stepped down when he left the magic circle firm for US giant Gibson Dunn & Crutcher.

Kirsch exited CC in June along with fellow US litigation partner Joel Cohen and counsel Christopher Joralmen, who also joined Gibson Dunn.

At that time the firm was seeking to redefine the role of global litigation chief, while restructuring the shape of its disputes practice.

Commenting on his win, Sandelson said: "I am delighted to have been elected to this role. Our global litigation practice is very well positioned, and we are currently rated in the top tier in all of the key areas for litigation and arbitration.

"We have a broad client base and a great number of high quality partners and associates across our strong network of offices. I am looking forward to working with everyone to build on our all capabilities and fully realise our ambitions of being the global leader."

Clifford Chance on the Legal Week Wiki