Pinsent Masons has hired a longtime finance and projects partner from Australian firm Johnson Winter & Slattery in Sydney.

Jim Hunwick, who will be based in the firm's Sydney office,  has been a partner with Johnson Winter's banking and finance team for more than 13 years.

His expertise covers a spectrum of debt-finance related transactions and he regularly advises on project, corporate, property and acquisition finance. He also has extensive and specialist knowledge of synthetic CDOs, securitisations, convertible bonds and derivatives, having acted for arrangers, investors, trustees and originators both in Australia and across Asia, Pinsent Masons said in a statement.

"We are delighted to welcome Jim to Pinsent Masons. He brings with him a finance practice that is punctuated by strong corporate borrower clients, international banks and non-bank lenders and significantly adds to the growing strength of the team," said Jeremy King, head of finance and projects in Australia.

"His experience means that we can build out our finance practice in Australia and widen the skillsets in our team, enabling us to further support our clients regionally. Jim's market knowledge and connections in Singapore and Japan will be important in building our presence across the Asia-Pacific region."

Hunwick said he is looking forward to joining Pinsent Masons. "The firm's expertise and global network provide a strong knowledge platform for clients to draw on across a range of jurisdictions and sectors," he said.

Johnson Winter managing partner Peter Slattery complimented Hunwick's work while at the firm and wished him well.

"After a long and distinguished career at Johnson Winter & Slattery, Jim Hunwick has chosen to leave the firm," he said. "We wish him all the best in his new role."