Field Fisher seeks to expand hi-tech practice

Field Fisher Waterhouse is looking for 10 senior corporate lawyers to bolster its service for high-technology clients.

The 60-partner firm aims to have an extra 10 staff focusing on the corporate needs of technology companies by the middle of next year.

Practice development partner Mark Abell confirms the recruitment drive. He says: "We are looking for two or three people who will be corporate lawyers but will focus entirely on hi-tech work and companies.

"The aim is to grow that over the next 12 months to a team of 10. We see this as ultimately an on-going process."

Abell says Field Fisher Waterhouse has yet to decide how many of the recruits it will want to sign up at partner level, but he says: "Ideally, I would like to see another two partners."

The firm currently has two assistants and one partner dedicated to its corporate high-technology practice, which is headed by Andrew Blankfield.

Two weeks ago, Field Fisher Waterhouse launched an online legal service, Incubator, for people wishing to set up e-businesses.

The operation will be run through its 12-strong IT and online law group (The Lawyer, 6 September).