Clyde & Co has opened its fourth Australian office after raiding local firm Sparke Helmore for a launch in Brisbane.

A three-partner team from Sparke Helmore has joined Clydes, with the firm saying it will look to hire 20 lawyers in the Queensland capital this year. Matthew Pokarier will front the office and will be joined by fellow former Sparke Helmore partners Jacinta Long and Maxine Tills.

The office, Clydes' 40th worldwide, will focus on insurance and commercial litigation.

"Our opening in Brisbane sees the achievement of our Australian strategy of a four-office national spread," said Clydes Australian managing partner John Edmond. "I expect this will be of interest to our infrastructure, energy, natural resources and insurance sector clients in particular.

"We are open for business in Brisbane as of now. As always, we have invested significant time in selecting the right team to join our firm and are very happy to have Matthew, Jacinta and Maxine on board. Their specialist practices not only complement, but also buttress, our existing practice in Queensland."

Clydes first launched in Australia in October 2012, with a dual opening in Sydney and Perth, when it acquired a team of insurance lawyers from Allens. It added a Melbourne office in September 2013.