Pinsents insurance chief joins Sidley in double partner hire for US firm

Sidley Austin has boosted its London insurance capability with a double partner hire in the City.

Martin Membery and Matthew Griffith both join the US firm from Pinsent Masons. Membery was the head of the national firm's insurance practice, specialising in non-contentious insurance and reinsurance projects, while Griffith was made up to partner in 2004.

The hires significantly boost Sidley's City partner headcount, with the pair becoming the firm's second and third insurance partners in London. At the start of 2010 Sidley's base in the City housed 37 partners.

London transactional insurance head Nigel Montgomery commented: "The recruitment of Martin and Matthew is a clear signal both of the importance that Sidley places on continuing to expand our global insurance team and of Sidley's focus on building a top quality insurance and reinsurance full service offering in London.

"Their arrival greatly expands the range of services that we can offer to major international insurers in Europe, and those wishing to do business here."

The last hire for Sidley in the City was in November last year when former Allen & Overy securities partner Bart Capeci joined the firm.

Sidley also added a City partner in its annual promotions round this year when commercial litigator Steven Pitt was made up - the only London promotion from a global total of 15.

Pinsent Masons on the Legal Week Wiki