Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer joint senior partner Konstantin Mettenheimer is to stand down from the post when his term comes to an end later this year.

Mettenheimer will now return to full-time fee earning in the magic circle firm's corporate practice out of Frankfurt, after spending 10 years in various management roles, including six as senior partner.

Fellow London-based senior partner Guy Morton will also step down at the same time.

Mettenheimer (pictured) told Legal Week: "I have decided that it is time to step down, I am very proud of what we have achieved since coming into management; the firm is in great shape, but now is the right time for the next team to take over."

Mettenheimer's decision comes as the firm begins a review of the joint senior partner model, with a move to a more conventional set-up with a sole firmwide senior partner under consideration.

Freshfields' 17-member partnership council will come to a decision in the coming months, with any change having to go to a partnership vote.

Once a decision has been made, the nomination process will kick off, with a vote to follow at the firm's September partnership retreat.

The joint senior partner post is the only elected position within Freshfields' management team. Chief executive Ted Burke and managing partner Peter Jeffcote will see their terms end at the same time, but their successors will be decided by the firm's incoming senior partner and partnership council.