DLA Piper has recruited the head of Berwin Leighton Paisner's (BLP) gaming practice Hilary Stewart-Jones in a double partner hire.

Stewart-Jones (pictured) is joining DLA alongside gaming partner Stephen Ketteley, with the duo set to join the firm's London intellectual property and technology (IPT) group in early September.

DLA said the double hire would add gaming expertise to its media, sports and IPT teams and that it would also strengthen the firm's corporate group, as the pair also advise on M&A, real estate and tax matters.

Stewart-Jones is a well-known name within the gaming sector, with a practice spanning regulatory, licensing, contractual and compliance advice. Ketteley, meanwhile advises clients on operational and regulatory aspects of their businesses, with a particular focus on online business.

DLA Piper IPT head Simon Levine said: "The burgeoning online gaming sector will create a growing need for legal services and advice on compliance, regulations, licensing, lobbying and joint ventures, amongst others."

BLP's head of corporate finance David Collins will now act as sole head of  the firm's betting and gaming sector focus group.

The news comes as BLP has also added a new partner, with Paul Simcock joining the firm's banking and capital markets group.

Simcock, who was previously a counsel at Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom in London, focuses on acquisition and leveraged financings with an emphasis on the financial sponsor side, and has particular experience in high yield related and New York law financings and restructurings.