Sidley Austin has made a rare lateral appointment in the City with the hire of former Allen & Overy securities partner Bart Capeci.

Capeci joined the US firm's London securities practice last week, having been a partner in A&O's international capital markets team since 1998.

His practice covers equity and debt capital markets for financial institutions and corporate issuers in Europe and emerging markets.

In September, Mark Wiltshire relocated from New York to head up Sidley's City capital markets team, replacing Craig Chapman, who returned to the US. The hire of Capeci takes the firm's capital markets headcount in London to six.

Wiltshire told Legal Week: "Bart's hire is part of a wider effort to build up our London capital markets presence to better reflect our global profile. His presence strengthens our current practice, especially in the areas of equity and emerging markets."

The last partner to join Sidley's London office was funds specialist Bruce Gardner, who joined the US firm from SJ Berwin in April last year.

Thomas Albrecht, a member of the firm's management and executive committee added: "Bart's experience in Spain and in emerging markets such as Africa and the Middle East will be valuable to our clients active in those markets."