Dechert is set to boost its UK corporate and securities practice with the hire of Jonathan Angell from Ashurst.

Angell will join the US law firm's London arm next week, having been a partner at Ashurst since 2001.

He took up the role of Ashurst's head of knowledge and learning in May 2009, having previously established a broad corporate practice covering general M&A and private equity, including a focus on the energy sector.

The appointment is Dechert's first London lateral since 2008, when the firm brought in corporate partner Corinna Mitchell from Baker & McKenzie and litigator Daniel Gall from Dewey & LeBoeuf.

Dechert currently has 32 partners in its London arm, with 11 corporate and securities partners in London, including two who split their time between Moscow and the City.

The US-based firm this month also bolstered its Munich practice with the appointment of former Clifford Chance finance partner Hans Stamm.

Dechert UK corporate and securities practice head James Croock commented: "[Angell's] extensive private equity experience will boost our practice in this area, while his energy expertise offers great synergies with our newly-opened Russian practice. This is a very positive development for the firm and highlights our commitment to expanding our European corporate practice."

In common with many major US practices, Dechert posted a dip in firmwide turnover of 12.6% to $713m (£473m) for its 2009 financial year, while profits per equity partner fell by 8.6% to $1.96m (£1.29m).

Angell's move comes during a period of change for Ashurst, with the firm seeing a number of departures and senior appointments over the last 18 months.