Cravath Swaine & Moore has voted head of litigation Evan Chesler to become its next presiding partner, succeeding current chief Robert Joffe, as the New York powerhouse prepares for a rare change to its frontline management.

Chesler, a Cravath partner since 1982, whose clients include Time Warner and IBM, has become deputy presiding partner and will officially take over from Joffe on 1 January, 2007.