Norton Rose Fulbright global head of planning Nigel Hewitson has left to join 20-partner Oxfordshire firm BrookStreet des Roches.

Hewitson is set to establish a planning practice at the firm, which has mainly focused on the commercial real estate sector. He will join on 1 April.

Hewitson was made up as partner in 2010 after joining legacy Norton Rose as a senior associate from Howard Kennedy FSI, where he also headed up the firm's planning practice. His previous posts include a role as legal director at English Heritage, where he spent five years from 2001.

DWF has recruited a partner trio from Lawrence Graham to bolster its London financial services ranks. Banking partners Iain Shurwood and John Fox are joining the firm alongside real estate finance partner Simon Elphick.

Shurwood joined in February to head up DWF's London corporate banking team. Elphick moved across in the same month, with Fox is set to join the pair in April.

The news comes a little over a month after employment partner Helga Breen and real estate partner Iain Thomas both joined DWF from LG.

The firm has also bulked up its corporate team with the hires of partner Tim Leeson and director David Wilbe from the London office of Washington firm Crowell & Moring. Leeson will lead DWF's London technology sector group.

Linklaters' Paris head of TMT and managing associate Sylvie Rousseau has left to join Olswang in a boost for its Brussels and Paris offices. The firm aims to maximise its growth potential in francophone Africa through the hire.

Olswang chief executive David Stewart said: "With Sylvie working between Brussels and Paris we will be able to extend our capability not only to French-speaking jurisdictions in Europe, but also to francophone Africa. Ultimately, Paris is the hub for francophone Africa TMT transactions, so Sylvie's input will be a major boost for Olswang to be able to make the most of the growth potential in that region."

The firm has also hired litigator Louise Bell from Gateley.

Field Fisher Waterhouse has beefed up its finance group with the hire of Phillip Abbott from Simmons & Simmons. Abbott, who is set to join the firm at the end of the month, joined Simmons' as a banking and finance partner in 2003. He led the firm's Middle East finance practice for two years from 2008 before relocating back to the City.

Nabarro has hired disputes partner Lee Gluyas from DLA Piper. Gluyas leads DLA Piper's London IT litigation practice. The firm said his appointment is part of a strategic move to build on its existing presence in the sector.

Norton Rose Fulbright has appointed Melbourne partner Sally Macindoe as its global head of diversity. Macindoe will chair the group's global diversity and inclusion advisory council, which has also added US managing partner Linda Addison and US lead diversity partner Gina Shishima to its ranks following legacy Norton Rose's tie-up with Fulbright & Jaworski.

The council now comprises chairs or managing partners from EMEA, Australia, Canada, South Africa and the US, supported by a local lead diversity partner in each region.

Irwin Mitchell has appointed restructuring and insolvency lawyer Edward Judge as a partner in its business legal services (BLS) team. Judge, who joins from SHG Martineau, is the 21st new partner to be announced by Irwin Mitchell's commercial practice since the start of 2012.

A specialist in all areas of corporate restructuring and recovery work, Judge acts for insolvency practitioners, creditors and company directors.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe has hired White & Case restructuring partner Stephen Phillips in its City office. Phillips, who will co-head the firm's European restructuring team along with Paris partner Saam Golshani, advises a range of clients including commercial and investment banks, funds, financial advisors, borrowers and administrators.

"I am very excited to join one of the leading finance teams in the world," said Phillips. "Orrick has a track record in terms of commercially focused, creative solutions that is exactly what clients require today."

DAC Beachcroft has hired Eversheds commercial contracts partner Ruth Connorton in its Newcastle office. Connorton was head of procurement law at Eversheds and advises clients in both the public and private sectors, including the NHS, as well as construction companies and local authorities.

Mishcon de Reya has hired two new partners to join its funds practice. Tim Flood, who joined the firm at the beginning of March 2014 from Jones Day, focuses on securities regulation and investment funds. Eve Ellis will join Mishcon later in the year from Charles Russell. Ellis has experience in investment fund matters including private equity, real estate and emerging markets.

DLA Piper has appointed partners Tony Katz and Sam Millar from Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe in a boost to its litigation & regulatory group. Before joining Orrick both worked at the Financial Services Authority – Katz held the position of group head of compliance and legal advisor, while Millar was general counsel.

Clyde & Co has hired Owen Carragher as a partner in its New York insurance litigation team.

Owen has joined from New York firm Lankler Carragher & Horwitz LLP, where he was founding partner, with a focus on commercial litigation and insurance.