DLA Piper has appointed Jean-Philippe Sorba to manage its Paris office, replacing Steven De Keyser, who has been acting as interim managing partner since 2009.

Sorba has headed up DLA Piper's local litigation and regulatory group since joining the firm from Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe in 2008. He will continue to act as group head until a replacement is found. His new role is effective as of 1 May.

De Keyser is a consultant at the firm and has acted as interim office head since July 2009, taking over from former regional managing partner Bruce Mee, who stood down from the role to return to fee earning. Mee had headed the office since 2007.