Paul Hastings has hired Linklaters finance veteran David Ereira as part of plans to boost its London finance practice.

Ereira joined Linklaters from Freshfields in 2007, where he was a partner for 17 years, and has worked in the firm’s finance practice focusing on restructuring and insolvency, private equity and acquisition finance, and real estate finance.

Paul Hastings London chair Ronan O’Sullivan said: “The development of a tier one finance and restructuring practice is a central component of our strategy in London and having someone of David’s reputation join us will continue our momentum and trajectory as we build out our capabilities in this practice.

“David’s arrival will add further depth and prestige to our practice here in London and will position us well to capitalise on restructuring opportunities that span across the UK, Europe and the US.”

Ereira’s restructuring and insolvency clients include PricewaterhouseCoopers on its role as administrators of Lehman Brothers, the creditors and owners of Le Meridien Hotels, and the creditors of Woolworths following the retailer’s collapse in 2008.

Paul Hastings has made a number of senior finance hires to its London office this year, including taking structured finance and capital markets partner Paul Severs from Berwin Leighton Paisner earlier this week.

King & Wood Mallesons private fund partner Duncan Woollard, Ashurst leveraged finance partner Luke McDougall and Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy finance heavyweight Peter Schwartz all also left for Paul Hastings earlier this year.

The major Linklaters exit comes just days after partners at the magic circle firm ratified the appointment of global banking head Gideon Moore as the firm’s new managing partner. Moore will take over from Simon Davies, who stepped down early to join Lloyds Bank, in January.