DAC Beachcroft has bolstered the partnership ranks at the newly-merged firm with two internal promotions and a lateral hire from Pinsent Masons.

The firm – formed by the merger of Beachcroft and Davies Arnold Cooper (DAC) earlier this week (31 October) – has made up two legacy Beachcroft associates, Claire Reynolds and Julitta Yates, in its Leeds and Bristol office respectively.

Reynolds specialises in employment and pensions, while Yates joins the partnership in the firm's real estate team.

DAC Beachcroft senior partner Simon Hodson (pictured) said: "Once again we have broken with tradition and made two partners up outside of the spring round in order top strengthen some key teams."

The new firm has also recruited Pinsents' Leeds-based regional information and communications technology projects head Michael Peeters to take on a role as the new head of its northern technology law team.

Peeters, who left Pinsents last month, will work with DAC Beachcroft's clients to offer outsourcing, IT and telecoms project support. He has been involved in the International Technology Law Association for 15 years and co-chairs its outsourcing committee.

Hodson added: "Michael's appointment is key for a number of sectors within the firm, including financial institutions, health and public sector, and provides added weight and depth to our national technology skills offering."

The partner promotions – which took effect on 1 November – and the lateral hire bring the total number of partners at the firm to 234.

DAC Beachcroft announced its line-up of sector and practice group heads at the start of this week, with just two of the 13 positions taken up by legacy DAC partners.

The merged firm, which has a combined total of 230 partners, 2,000 staff and expected turnover of £190m, has offices in Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Newport and Winchester, with international bases in Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore and Spain.