Norton Rose has hired its first corporate and white collar crime partner, with the addition of Bindmans criminal law chief Neil O'May.

O'May, who will join the firm in October, will be part of Norton Rose's business ethics and anti-corruption group which sits within the firm's wider disputes practice.

He has worked at Bindmans since 1990, heading its criminal law practice for 21 years. His experience includes advising the government of Ecuador earlier this year on Wikileaks founder Julian Assange's application for asylum, and advising The Guardian in a dispute brought by the Metropolitan Police last year.

Norton Rose said O'May will help build the firm's expertise at a time when companies and individuals are facing increasing threat of criminal investigation.

Norton Rose partner and head of business ethics and anti-corruption Sam Eastwood commented: "We anticipate a continued rise in investigatory work and regulatory actions. In addition, companies and individuals within the corporate structure are now criminally liable in a wide range of situations.

"Neil will help us build our criminal and regulatory expertise and will play a key role in the expansion of our business ethics and anti-corruption group. We are also intent on continuing to grow our broader litigation and dispute resolution practice both in the UK and globally."

O'May added: "It's no secret that the economic downturn and other current business pressures have put litigation and corporate crime in particular into the spotlight. The development of new offences in corporate manslaughter, bribery and the financial services has seen the regulators using criminal sanctions against corporates and individuals as a powerful weapon of control. Joining Norton Rose means being part of a wide-reaching team with experts in all areas of litigation, and the benefits of the group's international footprint."

Bindmans has appointed partners Martin Rackstraw and Katie Wheatley to succeed O'May as joint head of the firm's criminal law team.