Bird & Bird has strengthened its energy practice with a double partner hire from SNR Denton in the UK.

The top 20 UK law firm has hired SNR Denton's joint London heads of climate change, renewables and cleantech, Matt Bonass and Michael Rudd, to join its international energy and utilities sector group.

The pair, who will be based in Bird & Bird's London office, will continue to focus on renewable energy, cleantech and sustainability transactions as well as traditional energy and utilities deals.

Bonass, who advises on public and private M&A, joint ventures, private equity and capital markets deals in the sector, will join the corporate group at Bird & Bird. Rudd, who advises climate change, energy, infrastructure, water and mining clients on major projects, will join the firm's commercial practice.

Bird & Bird's joint head of international energy John Drake said: "We are very excited to welcome Matt and Michael to the team as their expertise and knowledge of the cleantech, energy and other industries will be a great complement to our existing strengths in this area."

Bird & Bird's energy sector group has around 80 lawyers firmwide advising on wind, solar and other power projects and ventures, as well as carbon law and protection and exploitation of intellectual property (IP) assets.

The hires mean Bird & Bird has added three lateral partners to its London base so far this year, with Eversheds' City head of commercial Phil Sherrell joining the IP team in January. Meanwhile, the firm added a corporate partner in Paris last week, with Arnaud Larrousse joining from Orrick Rambaud Martel, along with associate Arnaud Fayolle, who joined as senior European counsel.

Last week, SNR Denton made a double partner hire, with HBJ Gateley Wareing construction head Alastair Young and construction litigation partner Andrew Jones joining to split their time between London and Milton Keynes.