Morgan Lewis & Bockius has added two new technology partners to its London office, as its hiring spree in the capital continues.
The US firm has brought on Pillsbury partner Mike Pierides and counsel Simon Lightman, who joins as a partner.
Pierides will be a member of Morgan Lewis’ corporate practice, specialising in IT and business process outsourcing transactions.
Before Pillsbury, he was a partner at Pinsent Masons for two years. He was also an associate at Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy from 2006 to 2010.
Lightman met Pierides at Pinsent Masons, where the former worked as a senior associate. Prior to Pinsents and Pillsury, Lightman had further stints at CMS and Latham & Watkins, which he joined in 2006.
The pair’s arrival is the second group hire to be made by Morgan Lewis in as many months. The firm announced it was to take on three partners from Herbert Smith Freehills in August, including City private equity head Mark Geday, Nicholas Moore and Tomasz Wozniak.
With over 80 lawyers, the Morgan Lewis London office has grown over 300 per cent in the last five years.
Frances Murphy, London managing partner said: “Both new hires are complementary to our corporate offering yet add an additional strength in outsourcing, technology and commercial transaction capability. They enhance the breadth and depth of our offering to our existing clients.
Jami McKeon, the firm’s global chair, added: “They will work on cross border matters across Europe, the Middle East and Asia, while also working closely with our US team. This gives our firm a broad global capability.”
