Latham & Watkins has promoted Jay Sadanandan (pictured) to London office managing partner, succeeding Nick Cline who has served a five-year term in the role.

With Cline at the helm the number of partners in Latham's London office has increased by two-thirds, rising from 40 in 2010 to 67 in 2015. It also now has 295 fee earners, up from 156 in 2010.

Cline joined Latham in 2000 and was made partner in 2006. He will continue working as a partner in the firm's M&A practice after stepping down as office head. 

Sadanandan is a partner in the London finance department. She was appointed deputy office managing partner in March 2013.

Catherine Drinnan, a partner in Latham's employment and benefits practice, will step into the deputy role.

Sadanandan joined the firm in January 2010 as part of a quartet of high-profile laterals from US rival White & Case, which included the co-head of White & Case's London bank finance practice, Chris Kandel, alongside fellow leveraged finance specialists Brian Conway and Samuel Hamilton.

She has extensive experience advising on a range of banking and finance transactions.

Since 2010 Latham has made 19 lateral hires across its corporate, finance and litigation practices. Internally, it has promoted 18 to the partnership since the January 2011 round.

Bill Voge, global chair and managing partner of Latham, said: "Nick has done a tremendous job leading the office over the past five years. The practice has thrived under his superb leadership, and we thank him for his dedicated service. London is a bright spot for the firm and we have ambitious plans for further growth."

Cline added: "We've made big strides in the London market and are well-positioned for further growth and success. It will be great to have Jay and Catherine leading the continued expansion of our London office."