Norton Rose Fulbright’s (NRF’s) newly appointed chief executive, Gerry Pecht, has chosen Richard Krumholz to succeed him as global head of litigation and disputes.

Krumholz assumes the role after six years working closely with Pecht as head of US litigation and disputes. In his new role he will lead more than 1,200 lawyers based in 52 cities worldwide.

At the same time, Steve Jansma, the firm’s US head of products, pharma, medical and mass tort, will become co-head of the US group, working alongside Krumholz.

Both men have spent their entire careers at NRF having joined legacy firm Houston-based Fulbright & Jaworski in September 1992. Fulbright & Jaworski merged with London’s Norton Rose in 2013. 

Their promotions have been sparked by Pecht’s appointment to succeed long-standing chief executive Peter Martyr in August – a role he assumed in October, three months earlier than originally anticipated. 

The US disputes team comprises 350 based in 11 cities and Pecht said Krumholz’s experience as its leader made him “a perfect fit to lead our global disputes group”.

Krumholz, who continues to undertake advisory work, specialises in US and cross-border disputes with a focus on the telecommunications, energy and financial institution sectors. He is also a member of NRF’s global executive committee.

Jansma’s US practice, meanwhile, focuses on defending mass tort and complex product liability disputes. 

In February, NRF’s EMEA head of litigation, Peter Scott, became EMEA managing partner.