Eversheds has hired Norton Rose's former China managing partner to head up its Shanghai office, following the departure of current head Peter Corne.

Jean-Marc Deschandol is set to take up the role of Shanghai managing partner effective today (9 December).

Deschandol joins Eversheds from the Shanghai arm of Norton Rose, where he was a partner. He was previously based in Beijing and served as the firm's China managing partner between 2000 and 2007. He specialises in corporate finance with a focus on cross-border M&A.

Eversheds head of international Stephen Hopkins said: "We are committed to growing and investing in our China business and new hires are an integral part of our strategy. We were in talks with Jean-Marc prior to Peter's departure and his appointment will help us cement and grow our practice across the Asia region."

Corne is set to join US law firm Dorsey & Whitney as Shanghai head early in 2011 after announcing his departure from Eversheds last month.

Eversheds currently has offices in Shanghai, Hong Kong and Singapore in the Asia-Pacific region; however, the firm announced in April this year that it is looking at opening in Beijing.

The firm launched its Singapore and Hong Kong offices last year with the hire of DLA Piper's former Singapore managing partner Desmond Ong and former Asia head Nick Seddon to head up each of the offices respectively.