Hogan Lovells has rubber stamped the appointment of litigation partner Steve Immelt as its new chief executive following a partner vote this week.

Immelt will take over from current co-CEOs Warren Gorrell and David Harris on 1 July 2014. He was the only candidate to replace the joint heads after the firm conducted a consultation with the partnership early in the year.

Immelt will be supported by London finance partner David Hudd as his deputy, with both terms of office runninf for four years.

Harris will be retiring from the firm while Gorrell will return to client work after 30 June 2014.

Immelt is currently a member of the firm's international management committee and global co-head of its litigation, arbitration and employment practice alongside London partner Michael Davison.

Hudd currently heads the global finance practice and helped develop the firm's leading structured finance practice. Before joining the firm as a partner in 1994, he spent almost ten years in investment banking both as a lawyer and as head of structured finance.

Hogan Lovells had revenues of US$1.6bn/£1.03bn in financial year 2012 and has approximately 800 partners and 1,700 other qualified lawyers operating in 25 countries and 45 offices around the world.

The firm has also recently expanded its presence in a number of emerging and major markets, including Brazil, Indonesia, Mongolia, Luxembourg and South Africa. This follows expansion in other markets which are becoming hubs for their regions, including Dubai and Singapore.

Nicholas Cheffings, Hogan Lovells' Chair said: "Steve is the obvious choice. He is a clear and strategic thinker with a wide knowledge of the firm. His approach to leadership is based on teamwork and inclusion. He was a key part of the management team involved in the creation of Hogan Lovells and has a very good sense of what it takes to manage a law firm of this size and scope. The Board was unanimous in recommending him to the partnership for the role."

Immelt said: "It will be a privilege to succeed David and Warren. We are recognized as one of the world's leading law firms with unique strengths in many practices and industry sectors, a focus on understanding our clients' business needs; and providing creative insight and practical solutions across our geographic reach. I am looking forward very much to continuing to work with David and Warren as we move towards 1 July."