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Slaughter and May has refreshed the leadership of three of its main practice groups, with new heads appointed for dispute resolution, IP/IT and pensions and employment.

Sarah Lee is taking over as head of dispute resolution, succeeding Deborah Finkler. Lee has been with the firm since 1993, making partner in 1999. Under the leadership of Finkler – who has served a four-year term – the practice has seen associate numbers increase by 60%.

Career highlights for Lee include successfully defending Cable & Wireless against claims made by Caribbean competitor Digicel in the High Court, while she also acted for Ford Europe on a claim for the return of more than £76m in corporation tax.

The magic circle firm's IP/IT practice will now be led by David Ives, who joined Slaughters in 1999 and made partner in 2009. He succeeds Cathy Connolly, who has held the role for three years.

Ives' practice centres on outsourcing, technology, intellectual property and sport. Key clients he has worked with include Carillion and Marks and Spencer, which he has advised on the expansion of its international and UK businesses.

Meanwhile, the firm's pensions and employment practice will now be led by Charles Cameron, who takes over from Jonathan Fenn. Cameron joined the firm in 1996 and made partner in 2001.

Cameron takes over as pensions head at an interesting time for the practice, following the firm's hire of Herbert Smith Freehills pensions head Daniel Schaffer – its first ever lateral hire in London.

All appointments will take effect from 1 May 2017 and will last three years. Last year, Slaughters elected Roland Turnill as head of its M&A practice, succeeding previous practice head Steve Cooke, now the firm's senior partner.

Separately, Linklaters has also appointed a new global head of real estate. Andy Bruce, currently head of the firm's UK real estate practice, succeeds Yves Moreau, who has held the role since 2011.

Bruce's term, which runs for four years, is effective immediately.

He has worked at Linklaters for 25 years and led the UK practice since 2012.