McDermott Will & Emery has appointed corporate veteran Hugh Nineham as the firm's new London office head.

Nineham replaces Doron Ezickson, who has spent 18 months in the role after replacing David Dalgarno.

Nineham has arguably been McDermott's most high-profile hire in recent years after joining from Lovells in April 2008 to head up the Chicago-based law firm's European corporate practice.

Ezickson, who took on the role of London head after a turbulent period for the firm which saw a number of high-profile departures, will remain in London as head of the firm's global energy and commodities practice.

During his tenure as office head, Ezickson oversaw an ambitious rebuilding programme, bringing in eight partners last year and three so far this year.

In September the firm launched a London private client practice with the double hire of former LG senior partner Martyn Gowar and Andrew Vergunst from professional services firm Maitland.

Nineham commented: "The legal landscape has changed dramatically in the past 12 months and all firms are adapting to a changed market.

"The London office of McDermott has a strong voice within the firm and I look forward to continuing Doron's work to highlight the development and integration of the London practices with others across the firm and to focus on the areas that are key to us in this changed environment."