Swedish law firm Vinge has appointed Stockholm banking partner Maria-Pia Hope as its new managing partner.

Hope, who joined the firm in 1996 and made partner in 2003, will take over from current managing partner Michael Wigge (pictured) no later than June 2012. Wigge is set to return to practice as a corporate partner.

Hope, who held the roles of London managing partner for several years, focuses on the financial services sector with a particular emphasis on restructuring and insolvency.

She is known for heading up the firm's team advising the Swedish National Debt Office in relation to SAAB Automobile's loan from the European Investment Bank.

Outgoing MP Wigge commented: "So many things have happened at Vinge during my time, but it is ultimately teamwork that has made Vinge one of the leading law firms in the Nordic region. It has been a very rewarding period, where generally speaking the role of commercial law has become increasingly important in everyday business."

He added: "I will go back to practising and look forward to once again focusing wholeheartedly on individual clients and their needs. I am very proud and pleased to be able to hand over to Maria-Pia Hope, who I know will do a tremendous job."

Wigge has been a partner at Vinge since 1994 and has held the managing partner position on two separate occasions, from 2000 until 2004 and from 2007 until 2012.