Eversheds Sutherland's Paris-based project finance partner Boris Martor is leading a team defection to Bird & Bird's office in the city.

He is set to join the international firm's Paris base next month (October 1) as head of the office's project finance practice. He is joined in his move by his team, which comprises one counsel and two associates.

Martor leaves Eversheds after 20 years, having joined the firm to develop its infrastructure practice in France and Africa. Prior to joining Eversheds, Martor spent nearly five years as a lawyer at PwC's Paris office.

He specialises in public and procurement projects in the defence, justice, telecommunications, utilities and education sectors.

The team hire follows several additions by Bird & Bird to its project finance offering across Europe.

Last year, it bolstered its London and Italian energy and utilities expertise with several hires. It hired Watson Farley & Williams partner Pierpaolo Mastromarini and a two-lawyer team to its Rome office, and picked up Eversheds partner Conrad Purcell in London.

Earlier this year, it further expanded its capabilities in the sector with the hire of corporate partner Sibylle Weiler in Paris. Weiler specialises in corporate, financing and project-related matters, with a particular focus on renewables.