Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has appointed Nathan Willmott as its new head of commercial disputes. Willmott took over the practice group from 1 May, replacing David Parkin, who has stepped down from the role.

The commercial disputes group, which sits within the litigation and dispute resolution group headed up by Jonathan Sacher, currently houses 50 lawyers including 13 partners. It is split into four core areas: international arbitration, corporates and private wealth, construction and financial institutions.

Willmott said: "The group has grown so much in the last four years. My job will be to manage communications and make sure our excellent young lawyers have the right focus in terms of legal discipline to facilitate them in what they enjoy doing most."

Wilmott, whose practice covers financial institutions and investigations, joined BLP in 2007 as a partner from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, where he was a senior associate in London and New York.

The firm has made a number of key hires for the practice in recent years including international arbitration partner Nic Fletcher from Clifford Chance and disputes partner Graham Shear from Teacher Stern.

BLP made up eight associates to partner in this year's round, including the firm's first Moscow partner promotion. The litigation practice saw three new partners added across London and the Russian capital.