Baker Botts has rejigged its Middle East management team, with the partner in charge of the London office taking the helm of the region to improve collaboration.

Mark Rowley, who has headed up the London office since 2015, replaces John Lonsberg in the role. Rowley will continue in the role as London head, according to the firm.

"This move will allow us to enhance the efficiencies, collaboration and cross-marketing opportunities among these offices, Baker Botts managing partner John Martin said in a statement. "In addition, this reorganisation better aligns our management with the realities of our practices in the Middle East – where we routinely work as a coordinated team of lawyers across Dubai, Riyadh and London to provide the highest levels of service to our valued clients."

Lonsberg has been the Middle East partner-in-charge since 2013 and will remain at the firm as a partner working between the firm's Dubai and Riyadh offices.

The Dubai and Riyadh offices are Baker Botts' only two Middle East outposts after the firm withdrew from Abu Dhabi at the start of 2015.

Martin took the helm of the U.S. firm at the beginning of April and pledged to boost headcount in the firm's London, New York and Washington D.C. offices.