Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Simmons & Simmons have both bolstered their Paris offices with partner hires from Weil Gotshal & Manges and Linklaters respectively.

Freshfields has hired Weil's Paris banking head Emmanuel Ringeval as a partner for the magic circle firm's finance practice in the French capital.

Prior to joining the US firm in 2004, Ringeval spent time at both Ashurst and White & Case.

The move comes after a host of departures from Freshfields' Paris office this year, with a trio of corporate lawyers, led by former local practice chief Fabrice Cohen, departing for Willkie Farr & Gallagher last week.

A seven-strong real estate team also left the magic circle firm for King & Spalding in May 2012, including the former local head of real estate, Benoit Marcilhacy.

Ringeval said: "At a time when funding is increasing in complexity and sophistication and one of the essential elements of any acquisition or restructuring, it is essential to be able to offer our clients strong and specialised support in this field.

Meanwhile, Simmons has hired Linklaters projects partner Simon Ratledge for its Paris base.

Ratledge has been a partner at the magic circle firm since 2005. He recently took the lead role advising the lenders on the $1.4bn (£876m) project financing for the expansion of Moroccan coal-fired power complex Jorf Lasfar.

The UK top 20 firm said the hire is part of its wider strategy to develop its energy and infrastructure practice and grow its work in Africa.