Macfarlanes has strengthened its commercial real estate practice with the hire of former Linklaters construction partner Ann Minogue from Ashurst.

Top-rated Minogue joins Macfarlanes after four years at Ashurst, where she headed up the firm's City construction practice.

She previously spent eight years at Linklaters where she joined as partner in 2001 from CMS Cameron McKenna.

Her clients include leading property companies British Land, Chelsfield and Hines and Stanhope, while she has advised on high-profile construction projects including the Royal Opera House and Tate Modern as well as aspects of Broadgate and Heron Tower.

Macfarlanes commercial real estate head Ian Nisse said: "Ann is one of the most highly-rated construction lawyers in the UK. Her experience and expertise will significantly add to the continued development of our construction and real estate practices."

Minogue's appointment comes after Macfarlanes last month recruited commercial real estate partner Clare Breeze from Shearman & Sterling, where she had spent four and a half years as partner. Breeze's arrival at Macfarlanes sees her reunited with Nisse, who also joined from Shearman in 2011 to head up the real estate group.

Ashurst recently announced that profits per equity partner (PEP) had fallen in 2012-13, down 9% to £680,000 from £744,000. Conversely, Macfarlanes' PEP saw a 9% increase, rising from £903,000 to £989,000 over the same period.