Yves Wehrli, Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance has appointed a new head of its Paris office, to replace longstanding managing partner Yves Wehrli.

The Magic Circle firm's Paris corporate partner Mathieu Remy will take over from Wehrli – who unsuccessfully ran in the race for senior partner last year – on May 1, 2020.

Wehrli has been in charge of the Paris office since 2000, and has been a partner in the firm's corporate practice since 1988.

He served as a member of the firm's executive leadership group for two terms and was formerly the firm's continental Europe regional managing partner. He will remain a partner at the firm once he steps down as Paris head.

M&A lawyer Remy, meanwhile, joined Clifford Chance as a partner in the corporate practice in 2011, having joined from Shearman & Sterling where he had been for 11 years.

Clifford Chance global managing partner Matthew Layton said in a statement: "Yves has made a phenomenal contribution to the firm, forging a dynamic Paris practice that is highly respected by clients and peers alike, and absolutely at the top of its game.

"I know that in Mathieu we will have another ambitious leader for our team in France, who is committed to ensuring that we remain the firm best placed to meet the complex needs of our sophisticated client base."

Wehrli added: "It has been a big job but a huge pride and honour to have taken the office to a leading market position over this 20-year journey. I am confident that with Mathieu the office is in good hands to continue its great success story."

Wehrli made it through to be one of the final two contenders in the race for senior partner last November, eventually missing out to Jeroen Ouwehand. He also previously ran against Layton to become the firm's managing partner in 2013.