Pinsent Masons has boosted its property practice with the hire of DLA Piper's former global head of real estate team David Taylor.

Taylor, currently a senior consultant at DLA, will join Pinsents on 1 May.

Prior to joining DLA in 2004, he headed up Berwin Leighton Paisner's real estate practice before joining Herbert Smith as a senior consultant in 2000.

He said: "Pinsents is already known for the strength of its construction, infrastructure, regeneration, planning, environment and energy teams. As such it is perfectly placed to continue building on its excellent commercial property practice in London and nationally. I look forward to playing a key role in its future success."

Taylor, whose past clients have included British Land, Capital & Provident and AMEC, advises on all aspects of real estate deals, and has also represented government bodies and local authorities.

Commenting on the hire, Pinsents property head Adrian Barlow said: "David is one of the most high-profile figures in the legal property sector. His appointment underlines our ambition to continue developing the team into one of the best in the market, with the size and capability to work on landmark projects in the UK and internationally."

Taylor is the latest in a series of hires at Pinsents. Halliwells property head Mike Edge joined the firm as head of the Manchester office in August, along with fellow Halliwells partner Rachel Pitman, while Shoosmiths planning head Iain Gilbey joined in January and Brabners property head Jim Purves is set to join the firm in May.