Nixon Peabody LLP said Monday it named Richard Langan Jr. to take over the law firm as chief executive and managing partner.

He will move into his new role May 1, succeeding Harry Trueheart III, who has been at the helm for more than 13 years and will become the firm's nonexecutive chairman.

In Trueheart's new capacity, he will focus on client relationships, firm strategy and special projects, according to a company statement.

A Nixon Peabody spokeswoman said the New York-based international law firm's largest offices are in New York, D.C., Boston and San Francisco. The firm employs 700 attorneys. It has 110 attorneys in D.C., according to Washington Business Journal research.

Langan joined Nixon Peabody in 1980 as a first-year associate. He was most recently chair of the firm's business and financial services department. Langan is also a director of Minetta Brook, a non-for-profit arts foundation in New York.

About three months ago, the firm appointed Karen Greenbaum chief operating officer. She formerly was president and chief operating officer for Mercer LLC's U.S. operations. Greenbaum replaced John Gerhard, who announced his retirement after 25 years with the firm.