Olswang ups tax nous with Sidley hire

Olswang has appointed Gerald Montagu from Sidley Austin as a partner in the tax team as part of an expansion drive that includes bringing in three new associates.

Montagu's hire is a sign of the firm's bid to increase the international expertise of the practice group. As senior associate at Sidley Austin, Montagu's remit included insolvency and enforcement work, but also international tax planning and M&A transactions.

Tax head Mark Joscelyne said Montagu will handle considerable cross-border work, capitalising on the "significant increase in international work resulting from the alliance with Greenberg Traurig".

In addition to Montagu's arrival, three new associates will be hired by the end of the first quarter. Two will be brought on board in February and one in March.

With the new hire the number of partners in the tax team increases to six. Joscelyne added that the firm plans further external hires and internal promotions.