Stephenson Harwood has hired Weil Gotshal & Manges' London head of energy and renewables Andrew McLean, who will transfer to the top 30 UK law firm in September.

The corporate partner helped establish Weil Gotshal's consumer and financial services practice in Europe when he joined as a partner 11 years ago from Clifford Chance, where he had been an associate. He specialises in commercial contracts, private company M&A and joint ventures.

McLean said Stephenson Harwood would be a better platform for his energy practice and provided a good fit with his financial institution and consumer brand clients. At Weil Gotshal he has worked with clients including Lion Capital and portfolio clients such as Findus, Czech energy group CEZ Group and life sciences heavyweight BioPharm.

He said: "In order to be a good lawyer you have to have the right platform to support your clients' needs. Stephenson Harwood has the broader platform where I can build my focus areas and I am also attracted by its strong Asia practice."

Stephenson Harwood chief executive and corporate head Sharon White (pictured) said: "This is the next step in our goal to build a broader, stronger corporate group. We are very happy to be hiring a lawyer with Andrew's credentials and his industry focus fits in very well with what we do."

Weil Gotshal has not decided whether to appoint a successor to head the London energy group.

Stephenson Harwood's City office has made a number of lateral partner hires recently, adding McGrigors real estate partner Stephen Sumpton and SNR Denton banking partner James Linforth over the last few months.