Debevoise & Plimpton has boosted its London office with the hire of private equity specialist Simon Witney from King & Wood Mallesons (KWM).

Witney, a former senior SJ Berwin partner who has been a consultant at KWM since 2013, will join Debevoise's City base in the same role later this month.

He is currently completing a PhD on corporate governance issues in private equity-backed companies, at the London School of Economics where he also teaches company law.

He joined legacy SJ Berwin in 1995, making partner in 2001. In 2006, he was appointed to the role of professional service partner at the firm. He later co-led the firm's funds team in London, and was also member of its management committee. He was previously chairman of the British Private Equity and Venture Capital Association's legal and accounting committee.

Debevoise global investment management and funds head Erica Berthou said: "Private funds are facing new challenges. From regulatory shifts, to economic turbulence, to evolving investor expectations, the market continues to reshape and adapt to new normals. Simon is a proven leader within the sector and has continuously translated the thorniest of issues and emerging trends into practical actions for clients."

Debevoise joins a slew of firms currently hiring lawyers from KWM's stricken European business.

Fieldfisher also announced today that it has hired KWM London technology partner James Walsh. He is expected to join in the next couple of weeks.

Walsh first joined KWM in June 2015 from Eversheds, where he headed up the international telecoms practice.

Earlier this week, Legal Week revealed that Allen & Overy is set to hire Frankfurt corporate partner Michiel Huizinga from KWM, while Squire Patton Boggs is set to hire City energy partner Ian Wood.

Partners are leaving for a raft of other firms including DLA Piper, Greenberg Traurig, Macfarlanes, K&L Gates, Winston & Strawn, Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe, Reed Smith, Addleshaw Goddard, Covington & Burling, Keystone Law, Proskauer and Goodwin Procter.

KWM's Europe arm filed a notice of intention to appoint an administrator with the High Court in December. Earlier this week (3 January), it put 100 members of European staff on unpaid leave, pending redundancy. It is expected to appoint administrators or to file another intention to appoint administrators by 9 January.