Hammond Suddards poaches Eversheds full equity partner

Hammond Suddards has poached Eversheds equity partner Simon Palmer - bringing its number of construction partners to 11.

Palmer has been with Eversheds for 15 years and is a full equity partner.

He is still negotiating when he will be allowed to leave Eversheds.

But Hammonds is confident Palmer will be with the firm by the new year.

Mark Hilton, head of Hammonds' construction unit, says the 103-partner firm contacted Palmer because of his reputation.

He says: "We approached Simon because he is a heavy-hitter in the Leeds construction market place."

The recruitment of Palmer is part of Hammonds' on-going plans to bolster its construction practice, which has 47 fee earners.

Hilton says: "We are looking to recruit more high calibre people."

Palmer will be joining Hammonds as a full equity partner.

However, Hilton refuses to be drawn on whether Palmer will be taking his clients with him.

But he concedes: "I am sure that if his clients wish to follow him they will."

Palmer is the second partner Hammonds has poached from Eversheds since the start of the year.

Former Eversheds employment partner Catherine Prest joined Hammonds in February (The Lawyer,1 February).

Eversheds refuses to comment.