Pinsent Curtis is on the look-out for five property lawyers at all levels in its Birmingham office after reporting its best year since the start of the recession. Brian Hopkinson, managing partner at the office, said its property department, which now has 10 partners, is one of the fastest-growing parts of the firm's business after corporate and commercial litigation. His comments follow the appointment of property partner, Andrew Pike, who joins the firm from Simmons & Simmons. Pinsents has also taken on a partner in its Leeds office. Tom Whiteside left Leeds firm Dibb Lupton Broomhead (now Dibb Lupton Alsop) last month. He will be responsible for developing the secured lending work undertaken by Pinsents.