Outgoing Linklaters senior partner David Cheyne is set to take up a consultant role at the firm when his five-year leadership term comes to an end later this month (30 September).

Cheyne (pictured), who joined Linklaters in 1972 and made partner in 1980, was elected as senior partner in 2006.

In the new role, he will continue to handle client work on both a relationship and transactional level.

During his 39-year career at the magic circle firm he has worked on a wide range of corporate transactions, involving all types of M&A, joint ventures, flotations and general corporate finance.

Significant deals he has been involved in include BP's £67bn acquisition of Amoco, Vodafone's £112bn acquisition of AirTouch and Mannesmann, Billiton's merger with BHP and Dubai World's acquisition of P&O.

The news comes nearly six months after Linklaters' partnership elected global banking chief Robert Elliott as its new senior partner, settling a contest between Elliott, head of litigation John Turnbull and European managing partner Jean-Pierre Blumberg.

Elliott joined Linklaters in 1990 and made partner in 1991. He was appointed global head of restructuring and insolvency in 1996, and took over as global head of banking in 2007.

Global corporate chief Jeremy Parr said: "With his deep level of experience and expertise, David has much to offer clients, so I am delighted that he has agreed to remain at the firm.

"This new role recognises his standing in the market, as well as his deal record and the key client relationships that he will maintain."

For more, see Elliott succeeds Cheyne as Linklaters senior partner as final vote closes.