Olswang has seen two further exits from its City office. Former London competition head Howard Cartlidge is joining DWF, while corporate partner Duncan McDonald (pictured) is joining Taylor Wessing.

Cartlidge departs after more than 17 years at the firm, which he joined from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer where he was an associate.

He has worked on a number high profile cases, including acting for Cineworld on the investigation of its acquisition of Picturehouse Cinemas in 2012.

The firm's head of competition Jonathan Branton said that since the UK's vote to leave the European Union (EU) in June, the firm was prioritising state aid and public procurement advice.

"It has never been more important to have cutting-edge advice in these areas, to deal with the changes ahead and the inter-relationships of UK and EU law. Howard's appointment in London will significantly enhance our competition and litigation offering accordingly, to the benefit of major UK, European and other international clients."

Meanwhile, McDonald has been a partner at Olswang since 2008. He was previously general counsel at Citigroup Capital UK for almost two years.

He specialises in private equity work and has acted for PE funds and management teams on startups, the investment of development capital and management buyouts and buy-ins.

Taylor Wessing's head of private equity James Goold said: "Duncan's wide-ranging expertise and depth of experience across the range of capital investment and M&A transactions will be a tremendous asset for the private equity practice and the firm as a whole."

Olswang has seen a raft of exits including the firm's head of telecommunications Purvi Parekh, who left the firm last month. Her next career move is unknown.

Other high profile departures include former head of corporate, private equity and venture capital Stephen Rosen, who joined Cooley's new London office in January this year. He first confirmed his departure in March 2015.

It is understood that Olswang is currently in merger talks with CMS Cameron McKenna. The firm had merger talks with CMS two years ago but the two firms were unable to come to an agreement.

Olswang has also been linked to a number of other firms this year, including Simmons & Simmons, Osborne Clarke and Bird & Bird.