Dechert has expanded its City base with the hire of two partners from U.S. rival Sidley Austin.

Funds partner John McGrath and litigation partner Simon Fawell are set to join Dechert next week.

Fawell, who Legal Week featured as a rising star in litigation in 2016, has been at the U.S. firm's London office for 12 years. He was made up to partner in 2012.

McGrath was promoted to partner at the firm the previous year.

The recruitment of the pair reunites them with former Sidley Austin partner Dorothy Cory-Wright.

Cory-Wright, who served as Sidley Austin's global litigation co-head and London litigation head, joined Dechert last year as London head of commercial disputes.

Dechert has reshuffled its London management committee recently after two heavyweight departures. Chairman Camille Abousleiman took up a position in the Lebanese government earlier this year, while fellow Dechert partner and committee member Miriam Gonzalez left the firm last autumn.

The firm appointed asset management partner Gus Black chair of the London management committee in March, while London private equity co-head Chris Field also joined the group.

Dechert global finance co-leader Richard Jones said in a statement: "These are significant hires, adding further depth and breadth to Dechert's global finance team. There is strong strategic alignment between John's and Simon's practices and the firm's existing lending and funds client base, so these appointments will support the firm's planned growth."