The CMS network's China arm has recruited an Eversheds partner to head up its intellectual property (IP) practice in Shanghai.

IP and competition specialist Steven Yu is set to join the CMS office as its seventh partner and head of IP on 10 May after making partner at Eversheds last year.

Yu specialises in business and corporate transactions, IP protection, technology licensing, international franchise and business restructuring, with a focus on technology and life science companies.

CMS corporate partner Andrew Halper said: "For us, it is a question of assembling great talent, rather than just looking to bulk up the team for its own sake.

"Steve was simply too good to pass up, with exceptional experience in IP and competition. He has been a pioneer of competition practice in China and is a really talented corporate lawyer. I know he will do great things with us."

The CMS office in Shanghai office includes CMS Cameron McKenna and its French and German alliance firms, CMS Bureau Francis Lefebvre and CMS Hasche Sigle.

The Shanghai launch marked the first step in Camerons' broader China strategy, with the firm also planning a Beijing launch, having already secured a licence to practise there.

A number of UK and international practices are currently in the process of boosting their presence in China's fast-growing market, with Eversheds also set to open a new base in Beijing after the firm's Shanghai office passed its three-year probationary period.