Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has appointed New York-based partner Michael Lacovara as co-head of its general industries sector group.

Lacovara takes over from London dispute resolution partner Paul Lomas, whose term has come to an end. Lacovara will begin his four-year term with immediate effect and will lead the group alongside Munich-based partner Barbara Keil.

Lacovara joined Freshfields in 2012 as a partner from Sullivan & Cromwell, where he co-founded its Palo Alto office in 2000. He specialises in commercial litigation and antitrust cases, with particular expertise in the financial services and technology sectors.

Freshfields general industries group comprises a broad range of sectors with specialist teams focused on automobile manufacturing and production, chemicals, paper goods and other industrial products.

Freshfields senior partner Will Lawes said: "Michael will play a key role in leading, alongside Barbara, one of our largest sector groups, which spans a wide variety of clients with unique and often extremely challenging legal needs."

At the beginning of the month Freshfields named David Broomhall as new co-head of its competition practice.

Broomhall, a partner since 1999 and Brussels competition head since 2005, succeeded John Davies, who will return to full-time fee earning. Fellow co-head Dusseldorf-based partner Martin Klusmann will continue in his role.

Meanwhile, Freshfields London managing partner Mark Rawlinson is due to step down from his role in December follwing the end of his three-year term in the job.