McDonald's has hired its first-ever UK head of legal services, swiping ex-easyGroup general counsel Della Burnside from mobile phone trade group GSM Association (GSMA).

Burnside, who has been at GSMA for less than six months, will take on a more commercial role at McDonald's and will be responsible for procurement of external counsel.

She will report to McDonald's UK general counsel Julian Hilton-Johnson, who started the search for a UK head of legal early last year after announcing that he would be focusing on his corporate affairs remit.

Burnside, who has an extensive background in handling intellectual property (IP) matters, joined the telecoms association at the
end of last year after more than three years as head of legal at easyGroup.

During her time at the brand holding company she advised on the launch of easyMobile and in 2003 led a review of the firm's advisers. She starts at the fast food chain on 8 May.

McDonald's currently maintains an informal roster of firms that includes Forsters, Wragge & Co, Eversheds, BrookStreet des Roches, Reed Smith Richards Butler, Hamlins and Shoosmiths.

Prior to joining easyGroup, Burnside was an IP litigation partner at Osborne Clarke before moving to the London arm of Chicago firm Altheimer & Grey, which dissolved in 2003.

Hilton-Johnson told Legal Week: "Della's experience and expertise will allow us to further our strategic approach to legal services and assist in the continued growth and momentum of the UK business. I expect to see further growth in the legal team during the next 12 months."

Burnside commented: "McDonald's is an outstanding global brand. I greatly look forward to the variety and quality of the legal work."

McDonald's is one of the world's largest employers with 447,000 employees in 30,000 restaurants across the globe. Last year the company had annual revenues of $20.6bn (£10.3bn).