Field Fisher Waterhouse has appointed new senior and managing partners just a year after the firm overhauled its management structure following a 10-month governance review.

Head of technology and outsourcing Michael Chissick will succeed current managing partner Matthew Lohn, who in turn will step into the senior partner role, which is being reintroduced by the firm after it was axed in January last year.

Lohn was voted in as managing partner in October 2011 after a contested vote that also saw Chissick nominate himself for the position.

As managing partner, Chissick's responsibilities will include strategy matters, managing the performance of the business, forming an executive committee and overseeing staff, risk and compliance matters.

Meanwhile, Lohn will oversee the market reputation of the firm, work with client partners to build contacts and help to lead on certain accounts, put a client feedback programme in place and chair the firm's supervisory board.

Chissick last year stepped into Lohn's management position on an interim basis while Lohn was on sick leave.

In a statement, chair of the firm's supervisory board Dominic Gurney-Champion said: "It has become clear that the greatest value to the firm is a combination of the respective leadership qualities of Matthew Lohn and Michael Chissick.

"These changes put Field Fisher Waterhouse in a good position for continued growth and expansion and we look forward to continuing to work with Matthew and Michael to realise the firm's goals."

Technology law partner Rob Shooter will replace Chissick as head of technology and outsourcing.

The firm's management overhaul last year meant that the structure shifted so that the firm would be run by an executive committee, appointed by the managing partner, and overseen by an elected supervisory board led by a chairman. The senior partner role, then held by corporate finance partner Nicholas Thompsell, was cut in favour of the chairman position.

Separately, it is understood that Field Fisher is planning to relocate its London operations into new offices, in a move to combine staff and partners working in the firm's Aldgate offices at Vine Street and Ibex House in the Minories.

Several properties in the City are believed to be under consideration, including premises around the Moorgate, Liverpool Street and Cannon Street areas, with a decision expected to be made by the summer.

The firm's existing lease on the current HQ is thought to run out in 2018.

The news comes after Field Fisher and Osborne Clarke called off a proposed merger last November, after talks which were understood to have commenced last July. Field Fisher is also set to see the departure of high-profile intellectual property and technology head Mark Abell, who has handed in his notice and is joining Bird & Bird.

Related: