Mayer Brown has recruited SJ Berwin real estate partner Pat Jones, marking the firm's second lateral hire in London in less than a week.

Jones joins the firm today, after 10 years at SJ Berwin. She advises clients in the real estate and retail sectors on complex structured development, investment and joint ventures.

Earlier this year, Jones was part of an SJ Berwin team that advised longstanding client British Land and its joint venture partner Oxford Properties on the letting of City landmark the Leadenhall Building to insurance group Amlin.

She also recently acted for British Land on the redevelopment of the Shoreditch Estate in E1.

"It is fantastic that Pat has today joined our real estate group she is an outstanding development lawyer," said European real estate head Martin Wright.

"At a time of volatility in the real estate legal market we are strengthening our team with the very best and are increasing our numbers to reflect the requirements of both our domestic and overseas clients."

Since joining the firm from Ashurst last November, Wright has led Mayer Brown's real estate team on a number of significant mandates, including Silvertown Partnership's £1.5bn redevelopment of the Silvertown Quays and a role for Chinese insurance giant Ping An's £260m acquisition of London's iconic Lloyd's building.

Jones' move comes just days after the hire of White & Case partner Greg Stonefield to the Mayer Brown's corporate and securities group.

Stonefield, who has experience advising corporate clients and investment banks on a range of M&A and equity capital market transactions, said his new home's "focus on the emerging markets and natural resources sectors fits perfectly with my practice".