Linklaters Paris partner Michel Frieh has announced he is to leave the firm to set up his own practice.

Frieh, a private equity specialist who joined the magic circle firm in 2004 from the local arm of Willkie Farr & Gallagher, will leave Linklaters at the end of May. The magic circle giant has promoted Paris-based private equity associate David Swinburne to the partnership from 1 May to plug the gap.