Fasken Martineau has hired a six-lawyer team from Howard Kennedy to bolster its core energy practice.

Chris Gooding, Hardani Azmi, Philip Kornbluth and Philip Leacock have all joined as partners, bringing the Canadian-based law firm's London energy practice to 10 partners.

Fasken has also hired Alex Ferrari as counsel and Sukhi Kaler as associate. The group joined the firm's energy practice and will advise on all contentious and non-contentious matters, particularly in aviation, insurance and arbitration.

The hires underline the leading Canadian firm moves to expand its UK practice following the recent addition of life sciences partner Charles Waddell from Dechert and arbitration partner Adrian Jones from Dewey & LeBoeuf. The firm's UK practice is built around Stringer Saul, the legacy London practice Fasken acquired in 2007.

Fasken London managing partner Gary Howes (pictured) told Legal Week: "What we're trying to do is focus on growing our energy practice, while balancing the business. Across the firm we are also looking to expand in the aviation industry."

He added: "While economic conditions remain difficult, many interesting opportunities present themselves."

Howes was recently elected to his position after an overhaul of the firm's management structure in London, which also saw the appointment of a new senior partner. Howes replaced Norman Ziman, who is now the firm's London senior partner.

Howard Kennedy was unavailable for comment.

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