Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom has hired Shearman & Sterling London M&A partner Adrian Knight, Legal Week can reveal.

Knight, one of Shearman's leading corporate lawyers, handed in his notice earlier this week. It was confirmed today (25 November) that Knight is to join the London arm of Skadden early in the New Year.

Knight, who joined Shearman from Ashurst in 1999, has taken a lead role on numerous deals while at Shearman, including roles on Spirit Amber's successful bid for Scottish & Newcastle's £2.51bn pub estate and the acquisition of pub operator Yates Group. He has also advised Canary Wharf Group and property developers The Berkeley Group.

Shearman City head Kenneth MacRitchie told Legal Week: "Our [UK] corporate department has grown to 30 lawyers, and while we are sorry [Knight] has gone, it is not going to be a major issue for us in managing our business. We are not replacing him but we are actively recruiting senior M&A laterals."