Linklaters has appointed Paul Lignieres as the new managing partner of its Paris office as litigator Arnaud de La Cotardiere steps down after 18 months at the helm.

Lignieres, whose four-year term began on 27 May, will carry out the brief alongside his existing role as co-head of Linklaters' global infrastructure and construction group and head of its Paris public law group.

La Cotardiere, who was French managing partner from December 2008 to May 2010, has been appointed divisional practice head of commercial. Linklaters divides its practice into three core groups – corporate, finance and commercial.

Lignieres (pictured) joined Linklaters in 2003 from the World Bank and became a partner in 2005. He specialises in corporate and finance transactions in government-related areas and regulated sectors.

He commented: "We already have an excellent reputation in the French market and I want to continue with the work already done to make us the leading law firm in Paris. I will continue with what Arnaud has set out to do and there will be no immediate changes in the short term."

Linklaters Europe managing partner Jean-Pierre Blumberg said: "Paul has an outstanding track record in both practice and management and I look forward to working with him to build on Arnaud's achievements, as we continue to strengthen our reputation and to deepen relationships with our clients."

Linklaters is one of the most established foreign law firms in France, having built highly regarded local practices in capital markets, project finance and banking.