Kirkland & Ellis has hired Allen & Overy (A&O) global intellectual property (IP) head Nicola Dagg in London.

Dagg will join Kirkland as a partner later this year.

Kirkland chairman Jeffrey Hammes said: "Nicola is one of the leading lights of the UK intellectual property community. Her experience is quite complementary to our existing practice and will be particularly useful to our life sciences and technology clients as they defend their intellectual property around the world."

She joined A&O from legacy Lovells, where she was a partner, in 2006. Dagg was appointed global head of the magic circle's IP practice last year.

A&O has expanded its London IP practice with several hires in recent years, including four Simmons & Simmons partners in 2016.

Dagg's experience includes acting on the enforcement and licensing of patents, and she has also acted on numerous disputes involving trade marks, copyright, designs and breach of confidence.

Dagg's hire represents another blow by Kirkland to its magic circle rivals. Earlier this year, it hired Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer private equity partner David Higgins.

Kirkland also recruited the co-leader of Freshfields alternative capital group, Sean Lacey, last year.

An A&O press spokesperson said: "Nicola Dagg has decided to leave Allen & Overy. We would like to thank her for the contribution she has made during her time at Allen & Overy and wish her all the best for the future."