Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) has hired Paris real estate partner David Lacaze from Paul Hastings.

Lacaze, who started at HSF yesterday (2 November), will be joined by an associate from the US firm.

He had been a partner at Paul Hastings' Paris office since joining from legacy Denton Wilde Sapte in 2006 and has particular experience in complex real estate investment funds, real estate finance, real estate restructuring. He specialises in the hospitality and leisure sector.

HSF UK and EMEA real estate head Donald Rowlands said: "I'm delighted to welcome a senior lawyer of such high calibre to our top-tier global real estate practice. The addition of David to our Paris team will be crucial to helping us deliver on our ambitious plans for the growth of our European real estate practice."

Lacaze's hire is the latest in Europe for the Anglo-Australian firm. In August, it boosted its recently launched Duesseldorf office with the hire of corporate partner Christoph Nawroth from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.

However several partners have departed HSF recently, with significant moves including a 10-partner leaving the firm to launch an Australia practice for White & Case, while last week advocacy head Ian Gatt QC resigned to join litigation specialist Stewarts Law.