Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe's London head Martin Bartlam has stepped down after five years in the role.

The firm has appointed real estate partner Anne O'Neill (pictured) as his replacement with immediate effect.

O'Neill joined Orrick in 2005 from Coudert, when Orrick brought in 10 partners from the firm.

Finance partner Bartlam took the reigns of the London office in 2005 and has overseen a period of growth, bringing in seven new partners in 2008, including three partners from the now defunct Heller Ehrman.

He will stay with Orrick but will focus on full-time fee earning within the finance practice.

Orrick's London office now counts almost 60 lawyers including around 20 partners. The office posted revenues of $40.5m (£24.9m) in the City over the last calendar year, a marginal increase on the 2008 performance of $40m (£24.6m).

The result broadly reflected the firm as a whole, which reported a 1.5% increase in total revenues to $847.4m (£523.3m) and a 3% increase in profits per equity partner.

Bartlam commented: "Managing is a great challenge and building this business has been a hugely rewarding experience. I feel that I have succeeded in what I set out to do and I am very much looking forward to focussing on building our finance practice.

Prior to joining Orrick in 2004 Bartlam was a partner and head of the finance department at Jones Day.