Latham & Watkins has appointed London banking partner Dominic Newcomb to co-head its finance practice outside the US.

Newcomb replaces London finance partner Christopher Hall in the role, with Hall's decision to step down announced at Latham's annual partnership conference in New York earlier this month (3 March).

He will work alongside existing co-head of finance outside the US, Xavier Farde, who is based in Paris. The pair are formally known as vice-chairs of the firm's worldwide finance practice, but will share responsibility for the practice outside the US, including its growing Middle East offices. The finance practice is led globally by Chicago-based banking partner David Heller.

Hall, who works with clients including Goldman Sachs, Credit Suisse and Morgan Stanley, will now return to full-time client-facing work.

During his tenure as finance chief, Hall was involved in developing the firm's Middle Eastern finance practice and also had a pivotal role in bringing in the six-partner finance team led by Chris Kandel from the London office of rival US firm White & Case last year.

Newcomb, who joined Latham in 2001, made partner in 2006. He commented: "In my new role as global vice chair, I am excited to help our teams continue to go forward as Latham works to expand its reach."