Birmingham-based firm Martineau Johnson has boosted its new London practice by taking on Hammond Suddards Edge partner Hugh Edmunds.
Edmunds, the former senior partner of London firm Stones Porter, which was taken over by Edge Ellison two years ago, is the third lawyer to join Martineaus' London office, which was set up in September by fellow Hammonds partner Heather Leeson.
Leeson was also a partner at Stones Porter. Banking assistant Chris Wright, another Hammonds and Stones solicitor, left with her. A 29-partner firm in 1996, Stones Porter suffered a mass of departures before the remaining nine partners joined Edge Ellison in October 1998.
Martineaus managing partner David Gwyther said: "We are growing fast again this year, and intend to build on the start we have made in London and enhance our position in Birmingham."
He added that there were more London and Birmingham appointments in the pipeline. The firm now has 37 partners, 16 of whom are in the equity.