Norton Rose Fulbright has appointed its global head of dispute resolution and litigation Gerry Pecht as its new global chief executive, succeeding Peter Martyr after almost two decades in the role.

Houston-based Pecht, who is a 40-year veteran of the firm, has led its disputes practice since 2014. He will take up his new position at the start of next year.

Pecht said: “As global chief executive, I will promote our firm’s unity and strategic alignment, emphasise our client service focus, utilise our technological and innovative advantages and optimise our financial performance.”

He added: “I will also place a priority on social engagement. Lawyers play a special role in society, and our firm must use its influence to fight racism, sexism and social injustice. Diversity and inclusion is a key focus for our firm and a cause I will continue to champion.”

Pecht is known for representing publicly traded companies in the US and internationally, as well as their officers and directors. He built his commercial litigation practice by focusing on securities litigation and enforcement, energy litigation, internal corporate investigations, and international litigation and arbitration.

He will replace London-based Martyr who has served as the firm’s global chief executive since 2002.

Martyr said: “Gerry is a highly experienced business leader, with whom I have worked closely over the past eight years. Gerry is a US lawyer with a global personal and professional background, making him well equipped to drive the firm’s global business transformation strategy. The firm is in good hands, and I am certain it will flourish under his leadership.”

Earlier this year, the firm appointed Peter Scott as managing partner of NRF’s Europe, Middle East and Africa business, having previously worked closely with Pecht as head of dispute resolution and litigation for EMEA, underscoring the importance of the disputes practice to the overall leadership direction of the firm.

When Scott started his new role in April, the firm announced a revival of its flexible working scheme to help avoid redundancies due to the Covid-19 pandemic, asking staff in the EMEA region to reduce working hours by up to 20% over the next 12 months, as well as deferring partner distributions and bonuses. The scheme was previously introduced during the financial crisis.