Addleshaw Goddard has strengthened its energy practice with the hire of the former head of legal at the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA).

Roger Clayson joined the national law firm earlier this week (1 November) from the NDA, where he most recently served as head of property law, having held the head of legal role between 2007 and 2009.

Clayson joins as a legal director in Addleshaws' 10-partner, 20-fee earner energy, projects and infrastructure group. He will focus on helping the firm win high-value projects in the nuclear sector, as well as helping clients respond to the coalition Government's energy policy.

Working with Addleshaws head of nuclear James Reynolds, Clayson will specifically target issues arising from construction, planning and real estate matters in the nuclear sector.

While at the NDA, Clayson helped oversee the UK's nuclear decommissioning programme, which involved the winding down of the Sellafield site in Cumbria. He also restructured the NDA's legal team and was awarded the Law Society's In-house Solicitor of the Year award in 2009.

Addleshaws head of energy Richard Goodfellow commented: "Roger's reputation and track record is outstanding and we are delighted that he has chosen to join us at such a crucial time for UK energy policy."