U.S. firm Weil Gotshal & Manges has hired Ashurst banking and finance partner Paul Stewart to join its London office.

Stewart joins from Ashurst after 21 years at the firm. He previously led the Anglo-Australian firm's global loans practice in its Milan office between 2008 and 2012.

His practice focuses on domestic and international transactions, with a particular emphasis on leveraged acquisition finance and debt restructuring.

Weil London managing partner Mike Francies said: "His expertise and diverse lender practice are a perfect match for our market-leading leveraged finance team."

The addition of Stewart to Weil's City banking practice refreshes the group after its London banking head Mark Donald left last year.

The firm saw further exits at the start of 2019, when private equity partner Samantha McGonigle left to co-found a private equity fund and tax partner David Irvine exited for Kirkland & Ellis.

But the following month it made a star hire with the addition of Sidley Austin London private equity partner Mark Thompson.

A spokesperson for Ashurst said in a statement: "Paul has decided he wants a new challenge and he leaves with our thanks for the work he has undertaken during his time at the firm."