Hammonds has expanded its environmental practice, recruiting a team from national rival Eversheds.

Eversheds partner David Gordon joined the firm last week (17 May) as a partner in the Birmingham office, taking on the newly-created role of national head of environment.

Gordon, who was national head of the environment group and chemical sector at Eversheds, has also been joined by lawyers Anita Lloyd and Caroline Almond, as senior associate and associate respectively.

The team will sit within the safety, health, environment and regulatory group led by Rob Elvin, which counts National Grid, Scottish Power, British Energy and Bayer among its key clients.

The move comes as Hammonds attempts to give more prominence to its non-contentious environmental capability.

Gordon specialises in waste, energy and chemical regulatory work. He has advised a number of international developers and regional development agencies on protocols for the development of brown field land and has sat on steering committees for multi-national chemicals companies.

Elvin commented: "We have recruited a team when most firms are reducing their environment practice, but we want to be in the right position for when the market picks up."

He added: "The team is a good fit for our existing group, and will not only help to expand our capabilities in the non-contentious field and more specifically in the waste and water sectors, but will help to extend our offering to a number of mutual clients."