Simmons & Simmons former TMT practice head Andrew McMillan has left the firm to join Pinsent Masons as a partner within its advanced manufacturing and technology sector (AMT).
McMillan led Simmons’ TMT practice from 2012 to 2015 and previously worked as head of Ashurst’s communications practice.
His experience spans advising TMT corporates, investment banks and private equity houses on high-value contracts and M&A deals.
Pinsents corporate partner Andrew Hornigold said that the hire showed the firm’s dedication to the TMT sector, which was due to grow as a result of “macro Government economic strategy placing an emphasis on hi-tech industries”.
Simmons has lost a number of partners in recent months including asset finance head Christopher Boresjo and Mark Moody. The pair left Simmons to join Winston & Strawn’s transport finance practice.
DLA Piper also expanded its commercial contracts practice after hiring Simmons’ former head of international commercial practice Mark Dewar and senior associate Michiko Jo. Dewar is experienced in advising clients on supply chain contacts, consumer product issues and food law matters.
Pinsents meanwhile has been increasing its focus on the AMT sector through a number of strategic hires. Last year the firm picked up a four-lawyer team after raiding Munich-based boutique Mayrhofer & Partner.
The firm has also gained a new UK telecoms head after Reg Dhanjal joined from DAC Beachcroft and added to its life sciences practice after IP specialist Marc Holtorf joined from Clifford Chance.
Former Fieldfisher Munich managing partner Sibylle Schumacher also joined Pinsents as a partner in Germany. Schumacher was the firm’s seventh lateral hire in Germany since the firm launched in the region in 2012.