Simmons & Simmons has won a surprise role on the fire sale of Bear Stearns – advising the stricken Wall Street giant on the UK aspects of its sale to JP Morgan last month.

Simmons' role on the high-profile sale will be seen as a coup for the top 10 City firm's corporate and finance practices, with the partners Jeremy Hoyland (financial markets) and Alan Karter (corporate) brought on board when it became apparent that the bank was in trouble.

Simmons has an existing relationship with Bear Stearns having been appointed to advise the investment bank on its European structured capital markets business in 2006 – offering advice on the securitised equity, credit and fixed income derivatives businesses of Bear Stearns in Europe.