Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has made its second round of London litigation hires in just over a month with the appointment of a heavyweight partner duo from Teacher Stern.

The top 20 firm is set to bring in high-profile disputes partner Graham Shear and partner Joby Davies from Teacher Stern in mid-September.

Shear, who was managing partner at Teacher Stern for five years until stepping down last June, is best known for advising Premiership and England footballers. He acted for Newcastle United in 2006 on a dispute with FIFA and the FA relating to an injury sustained by Michael Owen while playing for England.

However, in addition to his sports work he also advises on general contract, competition, banking, shareholder and construction-related disputes. Davies also has a commercial disputes practice, with a focus on the media and sports sector.

The partner hires come after BLP hired Clifford Chance (CC) international arbitration partner Nic Fletcher to lead its arbitration practice.

Fletcher was a partner in CC's disputes practice for around a decade.

BLP currently has around 23 disputes partners in London.

BLP's litigation and dispute resolution chief Jonathan Sacher commented: "It is an important hire for the core litigation business, and we are keen to build that side of the business. Graham's practice will fit very well in the firm and he will work across a number of other areas as well as tax and sports/football sponsorship."

Teacher Stern co-managing partner David Salisbury said: "[Graham] is leaving with our best wishes and we hope that he will make a great success of his new role at BLP.

"Teacher Stern will continue to strengthen its core practice areas of corporate, commercial litigation and real estate," Salisbury added.

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