Bird & Bird has appointed a joint head of its growing French practice, with longstanding Paris IT partner Stephane Lemarchand stepping into the role last week (12 January).

Lemarchand will lead the firm's French practice alongside Frederique Dupuis-Toubol. He also heads the Paris IT team as well as co-heading the firmwide IT sector group and has a practice focused on IT law and copyright-related matters.

Dupuis-Toubol has headed the French practice alone since its launch 10 years ago. She also co-heads Bird & Bird's communications sector group and serves as a member of the firmwide management committee.

Dupuis-Toubol commented: "My international management commitments to the firm alongside my client work are keeping me very busy. Additionally, it is important that senior partners progress and Stephane has all the relevant skills to be joint head of France. It is a good thing for me, Stephane and, more importantly, the firm."

Bird & Bird has two offices in France and a total of 85 lawyers. Six of the lawyers are based in Lyon, with the rest in Paris. However, the firm is planning to double the size of the Lyon office over the next two years. It is currently searching for new office space to accommodate the expansion.

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