Norton Rose's Canada arm has tapped local rival Gowlings Lafleur Henderson for six hires across its Toronto, Ottowa and Beijing offices, including a quartet of partners.

The four partners – who are joining Norton Rose's Toronto office – are mining partner David McIntyre and M&A and corporate finance partners Robert Mason, Janet Howard and Janet Lee, all of whom were previously at Gowlings' Toronto base.

The team has notable experience of the Chinese market, while McIntyre was also formerly deputy general counsel and vice president at Brazilian mining giant Vale.

Meanwhile, corporate lawyer Yufei Luo is joining Norton Rose's Ottawa office and private equity lawyer Lei Huang will join the firm's Beijing base. Both previously worked at Gowlings in Ottawa.

Norton Rose Canada managing partner John Coleman commented: "The mining sector and Asian markets are key areas of growth in Canada and globally, and our new members are highly experienced in both."

Earlier this year, Norton Rose merged with Macleod Dixon, one of Canada's top-ranked energy and mining law firms, handing the firm an additional 250 fee earners. The deal came after the firm first entered the Canada market last year via a merger with Canada's Ogilvy Renault.