Hogan Lovells has confirmed the appointment of London real estate litigator Nicholas Cheffings as the first sole chairman of the transatlantic law firm.

Cheffings (pictured) will take up the post on 1 May for a three-year term, replacing current co-chairs Claudette Christian and John Young. Young is set to retire when his term ends on 30 April, while Christian will continue to practice at the firm.

As previously reported by Legal Week, Cheffings saw off competition from litigation, arbitration and employment chief Patrick Sherrington and legacy Hogan corporate partner Bill Curtin, who manages the firm's Ford relationship, to secure the appointment, which was recommended to the partnership on 27 January.

Cheffings joined legacy Lovells in 1999 and his previous management positions include serving as a member of legacy Lovells' partnership council and conflicts panel. He is currently the London representative on the board put together in the wake of the 2010 merger between Lovells and US firm Hogan & Hartson.

As chairman of the firm's board Cheffings will be responsible for overseeing the firm's ethos and standards, nurturing the culture and advising partners.

Commenting on the appointment, Hogan Lovells' current co-chairs, Young and Christian, said: "Nicholas is a highly regarded partner who has a long track record of managing significant partnership and client issues with tact and diplomacy."

Cheffings added: "This is a great firm and we are at an important moment in our development, occupying a unique position in the legal landscape, and looking to cement our place amongst the global elite. I am looking forward to transitioning into this new role over the next few months while continuing with my practice."

Hogan Lovells kicked off the process to elect a new sole chair last December.

David Harris and Warren Gorrell will remain as co-chief executives until their terms end in 2014, at which point the firm is also expected to appoint a single chief executive.