Mayer Brown has strengthened its London corporate and securities practice with a hire from Debevoise & Plimpton.

Colin Scagell joined the international firm today (5 September) as the newest partner in its London-based insurance industry group. He joins from the City office of Debevoise, where he was an associate.

Scagell specialises in cross-border public transactions including takeovers, listings and secondary securities offerings. He was previously a solicitor at Ashurst before joining Debevoise in 2006.

Recent work he has handled includes advising the Hanover Group in its acquisition of specialist insurance group Chaucer, which was completed in July, and acting for AIG on the $35bn (£21.7bn) sale of its Asian arm to Prudential in 2010.

Mayer Brown senior partner Sean Connolly said: "Colin's appointment supports our commitment to continuing to invest in this important area both in London and globally."

Scagell added: "Mayer Brown has an excellent corporate insurance team in London led by Martin Mankabady and a very strong global group acting for many clients in the insurance sector.

"I am particularly keen to develop and integrate Mayer Brown's ability to serve clients across the London, Bermuda and US markets."

Other recent hires for Mayer Brown in London include intellectual property partner Jonathan Radcliffe, who joined from Nabarro at the start of August, and senior BP regulatory lawyer Mark Compton who joined the firm's City financial services regulation and enforcement group as a partner in May.