International law firm Skadden Arps Slate Meagher and Flom is moving its London office and its European headquarters to Canary Wharf in anticipation of a recruitment drive

The US-based firm, which employs more than 1,150 lawyers in 21 offices around the world, has taken approximately 19,000sq ft on the 39th floor of the tower at Canary Wharf with a view to adding seven lawyers to its 24-strong London team.

Bruce Buck, the firm's partner in charge of Europe, said the firm's current office at 25 Bucklersbury in the City was “bursting at the seams”. He said the firm had 24 lawyers but room for only 17, and that it would be looking to recruit another six UK and US lawyers in the new year in the fields of capital markets, project finance, and mergers and acquisitions.

He added: “We have spent substantial time and effort analysing our options in London. We need office space which will be flexible and efficient in handling the technological changes that are affecting the way we practise law.”

The 24 lawyers and 36 support staff are due to move to Canary Wharf on 1 February.