IT briefs leave Bird Semple for Masons

UK FIRM Masons has poa-ched two IT lawyers from Bird Semple.

John Salmon is to become a partner at Masons. Salmon is regarded as the architect of the TechMedia group set up less than a year ago to focus on the technology, media and new media sectors. John Mackenzie will remain an associate.

A source at a rival Scottish practice says: "The Bird Semple TechMedia group has effectively defected to Masons."

Masons has a strong reputation in construction and information technology and has been looking to develop the IT arm of its Scottish practice over the past year.

Glasgow-based partner Vincent Conor says the firm was in no rush but took its time to find the right people. "The appointments reflect - in Scotland - the firm's key areas internationally."

Conor joined Masons from top construction firm Mc-Grigor Donald, where he was head of the practice group. He and Alistair Morrison, former head of construction at the largest Scottish firm Dundas & Wilson, set up Masons' Glasgow office in May.

Together with senior associates Fraser Macmillan, formerly of Dundas & Wilson, and Ian Laing, from McGrigor Donald, they have built a strong reputation north of the border, which is unusual for a London-based firm.

Conor says: "It's been a fair old year for Masons. In achieving full UK coverage, Masons is in a different category to other Southern firms."

Masons also has offices in Bristol, Manchester, Leeds, Dublin, Brussels, Hong Kong, Singapore and Guangzhou in mainland China.

Bird Semple managing partner Russell Bradley says: "Since we started the group 18 months ago, it has grown quite a bit.

"It is not surprising some of the younger members of our team have attracted attention from our competitors."