Linklaters has hired a tax partner from Kirkland & Ellis in London.

The Magic Circle firm has hired corporate and private equity tax partner Chris Smale from Kirkland, where he has been a partner since last November.

Prior to joining Kirkland, he had taken a number of roles at investment banks, including a two-year stint as general counsel at Z Investment Management.

He returns to Linklaters having trained at the firm, which he left in 2010 when he was managing associate.

Linklaters global head of corporate Aedamar Comiskey said in a statement: "Chris will play a key role in advising funds and financial sponsors, as well as corporate clients, across all practices and sectors."

The hire contrasts with the usual moves away from Magic Circle firms to U.S. firms in London. In 2015 and 2016, seven partners left Linklaters to join Kirkland, including four in private equity.

During the summer, Linklaters hired a four-lawyer investment funds team in New York from U.S. firm Schulte Roth & Zabel, and hired Freshfields Milan tax partner Roberto Egori as its new head of tax in the Italian city.