Reynolds Porter Chamberlain (RPC) has officially opened its new Bristol office today (3 January) with the hire of a 28-strong team from CMS Cameron McKenna.

The CMS team comprises seven partners – one of who is joining RPC as a legal director – 11 associates and 10 back office staff. The base will principally handle insurance and reinsurance work, with a particular focus on professional indemnity (PI).

CMS partners Joe Bryant, Simon Chandler and Will Sefton have joined RPC today, while Jeremy Barnes, Peter Mansfield and Rob Morris are set to complete their moves in March, with Rebecca Smith joining as a legal director in the spring.

RPC managing partner Jonathan Watmough said: "Complex PI work has been at the heart of RPC for many years, and this move underlines the strength of our commitment to that part of our business. There is a growing appetite among our clients for a quality service outside London. This new office will offer the greater choice and flexibility that we know they are after."

RPC's Bristol launch was first announced in September last year. The firm's new base, which is housed in the Temple Circus building in the centre of Bristol, is its second office in the UK and third office worldwide, following the launch of its first overseas arm in Singapore in November last year.

CMS has since responded to the Bristol losses with the relocation of City partner Belinda Schofield to head the group in Bristol, as well as the promotion of local insurance associate Cheryl Gibson to partner.

In addition, a number of CMS City partners from the insurance team will now spend part of their time in Bristol, including Simon Garrett, Alex Denslow, Martin Fox and Liam O'Connell.