Holman Fenwick Willan has moved to expand its insurance and tax practices with the hire of two partners in London and Paris.

The firm has hired Jonathan Bruce as a partner in its City insurance and reinsurance practice from London insurance and shipping boutique Elborne Mitchell.

Bruce specialises in insurance matters in the marine, energy, mining and oil and gas sectors, with a particular focus on Latin America and Eastern Europe. His hire takes the total number of partners in Holman Fenwick's City insurance and reinsurance practice to nine.

Holman Fenwick insurance and reinsurance head Paul Wordley said: "Energy and offshore work, particularly in South America, is a real focus for us at the moment, and Jonathan brings with him significant experience in these areas.

"This is all part of a move to expand our profile in Latin America generally and Jonathan's client base really complements our own. We continue to look for people with complementary practices who fit in with our international platform."

Meanwhile, the firm has also expanded its Paris arm with the hire of Hogan Lovells tax partner Herve Israel, who joined the firm's Paris practice this week. Israel specialises in corporate tax matters with a focus on the structuring and financing of M&A transactions and leveraged buyouts.

Holman Fenwick corporate head Alistair Mackie commented: "The recruitment of Herve is a significant step in developing the range of expertise we are able to offer clients for their corporate transactions."

The hires are the latest in a stream of appointments at Holman Fenwick in recent months, with corporate insurance duo Richard Spiller and Ashwani Kochhar joining from Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge last month and former Hogan Lovells corporate partner Robert Follie joining the Paris office in January.