Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP) has appointed disputes partner Segun Osuntokun as London managing partner – the first for the newly formed firm. 

Osuntokun joined legacy Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) in 2008 from DLA Piper, and has held several leadership roles since then.

He has been a member of BCLP's global board since legacy firms Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) and Bryan Cave merged earlier this year, and also heads the firm's energy disputes practice and its Africa Group. In the latter role, he led a 2013 review of legacy BLP's three-year Africa strategy.

Osuntokun becomes the combined firm's first London managing partner after the role of London chief at legacy Bryan Cave was dissolved on merging. Corporate partner Carol Osborne, who previously occupied the position, has remained with BCLP as co-head of its M&A and corporate finance practice in the EMEA region.

Osuntokun said: "This is a massively exciting opportunity in the context of our recent merger, to help continue the London office's trajectory as a leader in the market. BCLP is a 'relationship' law firm. It has a track record of adapting and evolving itself to support our relationships with clients in order to provide solutions for them in today's business world."

Last month, four London partner departures emerged, with international arbitration partner Ania Farren departing for litigation funder Vannin Capital, contentious construction and engineering partners Catherine Gelder and David Robertson quitting to join CMS and White & Case respectively, while structured finance partner Rachel Kelly left to join McDermott Will & Emery's London office.