Clifford Chance (CC) has named New York-based Craig Medwick as its US managing partner, making him the first M&A partner to hold the top position in the magic circle firm’s Americas practice.

Medwick, who has served as executive head of the firm’s US M&A practice for the past two years, will take over from the incumbent head, John Carroll, for a four-year term on 1 May. Carroll will return to full-time fee earning in the litigation practice.