Stephenson Harwood is set to launch a dedicated employee benefits and incentives practice in London with the hire of Ashurst partner Barbara Allen.

Allen, whose start date has not yet been agreed, will join as head of the team and will be the sole partner dedicated to the practice.

However, the team will work in tandem with lawyers from the firm's tax practice, who will provide advice on incentive schemes.

Stephenson Harwood has two tax partners who specialise in incentives schemes as part of their wider practice – practice head Hugo Jenney and partner Maryanna Sharrock – as well as two associates.

At Ashurst, Allen is a partner in the City employee benefits and incentives group, and advises on all aspects of employee share schemes, long-term incentive plans and bonus arrangements, including the use of employee benefit trusts.

Stephenson Harwood chief executive Sharon White said: "Barbara's expertise further enhances our full-service offering and her work with management teams at the very highest level, as well as her experience of working on share plans for both private and public companies, means she has the ideal range of experience for the firm's client base."

The hire of Allen comes after two other recent partner hires for Stephenson Harwood, with ex-Ashurst partner Jeremy Sheldon joining from Fulbright & Jaworski and Andrew McLean joining from Weil Gotshal & Manges earlier this month.

Stephenson Harwood also recruited an Ashurst partner in March 2010, when corporate specialist Andrew Edge moved between the two firms.