Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has elected former corporate head Edward Braham (pictured) as its senior partner alongside a new global leadership team.

Dispute resolution partner Chris Pugh and tax partner Stephan Eilers have been named as joint managing partners, based in London and Cologne, respectively.

Michael Lacovara, head of the firm's general industries sector group, has taken on the role of executive partner at the magic circle firm. Under Freshfields' constitution, the position of executive partner – currently held by Eilers – is decided by the elected senior partner.

All of the new team will continue to do client-facing work when the roles come into force on 1 January 2016.

Braham is replacing current senior partner Will Lawes, while Pugh and Eilers will take the managing partner position from David Aitman.

Braham said: "It is a privilege to be elected senior partner and I look forward to working with Chris, Michael and Stephan. Our clients are increasingly turning to the firm for high-value advice wherever they need it, especially when the international angle matters. We look forward to continuing to develop the firm in a way that best serves our clients."

Earlier this month it was revealed that three partner pairings were going head to head for the top management jobs at the firm, with Braham and Pugh running together. The pair faced down a second duo of corporate partner Simon Marchant, who stood for senior partner, and Germany and Austria regional managing partner Klaus-Stefan Hohenstatt, who was looking to secure the managing partner role.

Braham was appointed global head of corporate in 2009 for a three-year term, taking over from Andreas Fabritius.