Field Fisher Waterhouse has boosted its real estate practice with the hire of Squire Sanders Hammonds partner Carlos Pierce.

Pierce, who joined the law firm this week (16 May), advises on the property aspects of the energy sector with a particular focus on energy, infrastructure and sustainability. He has advised a range of clients including National Grid, E.ON and Gaz de France (now GDF Suez) on matters including bio-mass, waste-to-energy and wind farm developments.

Pierce will sit within the real estate practice but will also work as part of the firm's energy and natural resources sector group, led by energy partner Roger Sargologo. The group's existing clients include National Grid, ESBI, Interconnector, Wales and West Utilities and Southern Gas Networks.

Real estate chief Antony Phillips said: "Building on our energy capability is an important part of the firm's focus on highly-regulated businesses. Carlos has significant experience advising major energy sector clients and also brings further expertise in the energy and infrastructure issues affecting corporate clients, including growing sustainability requirements."

Pierce's appointment comes after it emerged at the end of April that the head of Field Fisher's planning team, Karen Cooksley, was leaving the firm alongside partner Colette McCormack and senior associate Lindsay Garratt to join Winckworth Sherwood.

Property litigation partners Lesley Webber and Joe Payne are now looking after planning matters at Field Fisher.