Hammonds strengthens with 'bums on seats'

Hammonds has hired another associate into the partnership as it attempts to bulk up following the torrent of partners leaving the firm.

Hammonds' national banking head Simon Owens has hired CMS Cameron McKenna assistant David Sachs as part of the firm's strategy to build London up to match the performance and size of the finance team in the regions.

"We have a good regional banking practice, but we don't have appropriate banking practice in London to support that," said Owens. "We need to increase our mass of partners, improve quality and put more bums on seats with the right sort of people and experience."

Sachs is the third new partner to join the firm this financial year following the appointments of EDF in-house energy lawyer Adam Langridge and Eversheds litigation associate Victoria Leigh. Both joined in July.

The hires follow a series of departures, with 10 equity and salaried partners having left the firm since the end of a 14-month lock-in in July.

Sachs joins Hammonds in November to work alongside Graeme Carney and Gwyneth Macaulay on leveraged finance and general banking work.