Ince & Co has bulked up its City professional liability practice with the hire of insurance and reinsurance partner Nilam Sharma from Crowell & Moring.

Sharma joined Ince last week (1 September) from the London arm of the US firm Crowell, where she was also a partner.

Sharma is both UK and US-qualified with a practice focus on directors and officers matters and management liability in the insurance industry. She joins the firm after three years at Crowell where she was a partner for the whole duration.

The hire marks further investment for the 88-partner Ince in its professional liability practice, as it moves to expand its insurance work beyond its traditional strength in the marine and energy sectors.

Ince global insurance and reinsurance head Chris Jefferis commented: "Nilam brings a new dimension to our professional liability practice and, together with our existing liability team, will add value to our clients' businesses."

The news follows the launch of a new branch in Monaco for the top 40 UK law firm last month. The new office will practise English law in shipping and energy in the region, marking its tenth office worldwide.

Ince also hired Speechly Bircham partner Nick Gibbons for the insurance and reinsurance group in May this year in a bid to expand its technology, media and telecommunications offering.

Sharma commented: "I have had the pleasure of working alongside Ince & Co on numerous occasions in the past and have always considered them a natural fit. I am looking forward to playing a significant role in the development of the firm's insurance and reinsurance practice."