Clifford Chance (CC) has named banking partner Robin Abraham as its new Middle East managing partner.

Abraham's appointment comes following in an uncontested election among partners in the region. He will take up the role on 1 May, replacing litigator Graham Lovett.

Lovett has handed over the reins after serving a maximum of two consecutive terms in the role. He will continue to head the regional litigation and disputes practice.

Abraham will remain part of the firm's global finance practice leadership group but will step down from his positions on the firm's partnership council and audit committee.

He has been based in Dubai since 2004. He joined CC's London office in 1995 and was made up as partner in 2005.

Abraham said: "My experience in the region and roles on CC's partnership council and audit committee have given me great exposure to the global pressures our clients in the region are facing.

"We have a strong on-the-ground team of over 120 lawyers and a solid commitment to the Middle East and I am looking forward to working with my fellow partners and the management team on our growth strategy for the region."

Under Lovett's leadership the firm has launched offices in Riyadh, Doha and Istanbul in the past three years.

CC became the first international law firm to launch a mixed local and foreign-lawyer partnership in Saudi Arabia. The agreement went live earlier this year.