Several leading candidates have emerged to take over from Sonya Leydecker (pictured) as global dispute resolution chief at Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF).

Leydecker will take over as the firm's new joint-CEO in May, alongside current managing partner Mark Rigotti. The new appointments will take effect from 1 May 2014 for a three year term.

Candidates cited by partners in the firm as potential replacements for Leydecker in what is seen as a key role in the firm include head of global arbitration Paula Hodges, Asia managing partner Mark Johnson, head of disputes in the UK and US Mark Shillito, and disputes partner Tim Parkes.

Partner David Reston has also been suggested as a possible contender for the position.

Leydecker was head of disputes at Herbert Smith from April 2005 to October 2012 and became global head of disputes of HSF following the merger on 1 October 2012.

The process of appointing a new practice head is believed to be underway with soundings taking place first and a vote to follow later.

Yesterday HSF announced its first disputes partner hire in Germany. The addition of Baker & McKenzie dispute resolution partner Mathias Wittinghofer is part of Leydecker's international strategy to build the firm's banking litigation and investigations practice in Germany after the firm launched two offices in Frankfurt and Berlin last year.