Squire Sanders & Dempsey has hired a law firm strategist and business development consultant to take up the new role of chief strategy and development officer at the firm.

Susan Saltonstall Duncan is set to join Squire Sanders on 1 April this year from her own business development and management consulting firm RainMaking Oasis, which she set up in 1987.

She will be based in the firm's New York office, but will work across all offices helping to develop the firm's business development and strategy following its recent merger with UK firm Hammonds.

Since setting up as a consultant, Saltonstall Duncan has worked with more than 120 law firms on their management, planning and business development.

Squire Sanders European managing partner Peter Crossley (pictured) said: "This is a new position for the combined firm and Susan will have a major strategic role in terms of business development and helping us to develop our practice firmwide. She will also be giving business development and leadership coaching to our partners and assisting with the continued integration of our offices."

The Hammonds and Squire Sanders & Dempsey merger went live on 1 January 2011, with the merged entity boasting around 1,275 lawyers and combined revenues of around $625m (£394m).

The City office of Squire Sanders will transfer over to the Hammonds premises in March this year.