McGrigors has expanded its City arm with the hire of Eversheds corporate partner Carsten Rumberg.

Rumberg joined the big four Scots law firm's London office last week (1 June) as a partner in the corporate group.

Rumberg – a German and UK-qualified lawyer who specialises in cross-border M&A transactions and joint ventures, will work with McGrigors' head of corporate, Patrick Martin.

He will focus on growing the firm's international corporate practice alongside London corporate partner Paul Sutton, with his hire taking the corporate team in the City to six partners.

Martin said: "This is part of a bid to grow London corporate for the firm and the recent hire will complement the existing work we have been doing. There is a nice sector overlap on infrastructure projects and the clients Carsten can bring. We are still looking on a strategic basis to build up London corporate."

Rumberg added: "I have focused on international work – specifically on German-speaking countries and German investment into the UK. This seems like the right move for my clients given where McGrigors is heading both in terms of its corporate team and the London office. I have the opportunity to make a real impact and help the team to build on their excellent international connections and deliver further growth."

Last month the Scottish firm announced a large-scale cost-cutting programme that will see partners taking a reduced share of the firm's profits, staff agreeing to unpaid leave, and a firmwide salary freeze.

Partners will take a 5% cut in their base annual compensation for the whole of the current financial year (1 October, 2008 to 30 September, 2009). The reduction will be taken from partners' drawings to be paid over the remainder of the current financial year and into the beginning of the next financial year.