Bird & Bird has added a partner to its City base with the hire of Eversheds' London head of commercial.

Phil Sherrell, who has led the Eversheds team for one year, is joining Bird & Bird's intellectual property (IP) team in London.

His telecoms, media and technology (TMT) practice focuses on contentious and non-contentious IP, including copyright tribunal litigation and copyright licensing, while he also handles work relating to reputation management, as well as advertising and sponsorship.

Sherrell will work with the firm's international IP practice, as well as supporting the other practice areas in Bird & Bird's London office on reputation management work.

Commenting on the appointment, Bird & Bird joint head of international IP Morag Macdonald said: "With his recognised position as a leading practitioner in reputation management and IP/media law, Phil will be an ideal complement to our existing IP and commercial practices."

Sherrell said: "I have really enjoyed my time at Eversheds but I found the offer to join Bird & Bird irresistible as they have a dedicated focus on IP and TMT, which is at the core of what I do."

Sherrell, who was promoted to partner at Eversheds in the firm's May promotion round in 2008, will join Bird & Bird next month.

The news comes as Eversheds has also lost media partner Patrick Gardiner, who is joining London media boutique Michael Simkin.

Bridgette Wilcox has taken over as head of commercial at Eversheds, while Nick Valner is head of the media group.