DLA Piper has added a partner from CMS Cameron McKenna to its London corporate practice, with the hire coinciding with the departure of two partners from the team – Kiran Sharma and Malcolm MacDougall.

Corporate partner Jonathan Lisle will join DLA Piper next week (14 January) from Camerons. He specialises in public M&A with a strong focus on the healthcare sector, having co-founded Camerons' healthcare group.

News of Lisle's appointment comes as it emerges that Sharma, who made partner in 2008, will join US firm Ropes & Gray as the first private equity partner in the London office.

MacDougall, who joined DLA Piper as a partner in 2007 from Australian firm Corrs Chambers Westgarth, is heading to City law firm Speechly Bircham to head its private equity practice.

His work has included a wide range of cross-border M&A and private equity work, including acquisitions, disposals and reorganisations and private equity investments and exits.

DLA Piper corporate chief Charles Severs said: "These lawyers have left on good terms and we wish them well in the future. Our strategy going forward is to continue to build the central hub that is DLA Piper's corporate practice. Lisle is an accomplished lawyer who will add considerable depth to the firm's M&A offering, both in the UK and internationally."

Commenting on Sharma's hire, Ropes & Gray London co-managing partner Maurice Allen said: "Kiran focuses not only on private equity but also has a strong grounding in public M&A and, accordingly, a deep grasp of the Takeover Code. Her hire fits with our strategy of having a young and diverse group of lawyers who will hopefully be the next generation of market leaders."