US firms in London have started off the year with a hiring spree, with Sullivan & Cromwell and Howrey both recruiting senior names in the past week.

Wall Street leader Sullivan has hired Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy M&A partner Tim Emmerson. Emmerson, who is set to join the firm by the end of February, is currently working out his exit terms from Milbank after resigning at the end of 2006.

The hire gives Sullivan its first dedicated UK M&A partner and its fifth UK-qualified partner.