Linklaters is preparing for a shake-up of its US management, with Americas head John Tucker set to step down after three years overseeing the practice.

Tucker (pictured) will stand down as Americas managing partner at the end of April, with the firm already consulting on his successor. He was initially appointed to the role for two years in 2007 – extending his tenure for 12 months last year – and split his time between London and New York.

Tucker, who will continue to lead the global finance and projects practice, told Legal Week: "It has been terrific fun playing that role but it was always intended to be one step along the line in building a very strong Americas offering, not only in New York but also Brazil."

Linklaters' Americas practice counts offices in New York and Sao Paulo, with the New York office being a particular focus since Simon Davies took over as firmwide managing partner in May 2008.

The last 18 months have seen the firm add a number of laterals including Goodwin Procter regulatory partner Robin Maxwell and corporate and M&A partner Dan Dufner from White & Case.

However, Lewis Steinberg, who was brought in from UBS in April 2009 to head the tax practice and co-head US operations alongside litigation partner Larry Byrne, left the firm and returned to the Swiss bank in October, leaving Byrne in sole charge of the US. Byrne also co-manages the New York office alongside UK-qualified corporate partner Nick Rees.

Linklaters is set for a number of management changes in the coming months, with the firm also consulting to find a new head of its Emerging Europe, Middle East and North Africa (EEMENA) group. This consultation follows corporate partner Stuart Salt's appointment as head of Asia earlier this month.

Corporate head David Barnes' term is also due to finish at the end of April. Barnes was named corporate head in 2005 and was reappointed for a further two-year stint in 2008.