Ashurst is about to lose a key restructuring part to US player Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy. 

The move marks a change for Milbank, which has a leading restructuring platform in the US but has yet to make inroads in London.

The appointment of Nick Angel, who has been a partner with Ashurst since 1997, follows Ashurst's appointment of another high-profile restructuring partner in Dan Hamilton, who joined from White & Case this month. 

New senior partner at Eversheds

Eversheds' pensions head, Anthony Arter, has been named as the firm's next London senior partner. He replaces Cornelius Medvei, who steps down after three years in the top job. Arter steps into the role on Tuesday next week, though he will continue to lead the pensions groups as well. 

Dubai the next frontier for London firm Herbert Smith

HERBERT Smith is boosting its Middle East disputes practice by relocating one of its London partners to Dubai. Stuart Paterson will work with partner Craig Shepherd, who transferred from London in April 2007.