Bond Pearce has strengthened its commercial offering ahead of its merger with Dickinson Dees with the hire of intellectual property (IP) partner Kim Walker from Pinsents Masons.

Walker (pictured) joined Bond Pearce's London office shortly before the Christmas break after six years with Pinsents, where he was formerly head of the IP practice.

His arrival at Bond Pearce brings the number of commercial partners at the firm to 13, with three of those based in London.

Walker recently completed a second secondment as acting principal commercial lawyer at the John Lewis Partnership, during which he led a team of four lawyers providing commercial and IP advice to Waitrose and John Lewis.

He spent the early part of his career as a corporate lawyer, and also advises on joint ventures and the IP and IT aspects of corporate transactions.

Walker said: "The firm has a fantastic client base and ambitious growth plans which makes it a great proposition. I look forward to working with the commercial team to realise those ambitions."

The hire for Bond Pearce comes on the back of its addition of four Maclay Murray and Spens partners last month as it prepares for life as Bond Dickinson, following the confirmation of its £95m merger with Dickinson Dees, which is due to go live on 1 May.

The firms have agreed to combine their London teams in new and larger premises, to accommodate both their existing staff as well as new recruits.