Top corporate lawyer Helen Drayton has quit Hewitsons to join top 100 law firm Penningtons Solicitors as a corporate partner in its new Cambridge UK office.

She supports a broad range of clients on all aspects of company law, including business acquisitions and disposals, and has a particular focus on management buy-outs.

Drayton advises on early stage funding rounds and investments and also deals with insolvency related transactions, including acting for insolvency practitioners. She has extensive expertise in corporate reorganisations, while also advising borrowers and lenders, and has become a member of Penningtons' banking group.

Penningtons says the hire reinforces its commitment to building the strength and depth of its Cambridge team. She will be joined by new commercial partner Hamish Corner who moves to Penningtons from Charles Russell in October.

James Stephen said: “We are delighted to have Helen on board. She has a wealth of experience in the corporate field and her appointment bolsters our ambitions to become one of the leading firms in the Cambridge area for corporate and commercial legal services.”

Penningtons opened its new Cambridge office earlier this year when partners Tim Tyndall, Hilary Aldred and James Stephen joined the firm from Charles Russell.

The main emphasis of the practice is on providing employment, corporate and commercial advice to organisations in the technology and education markets.

Hewitsons is currently in merger talks with Veale Wasbrough Vizards, which is based in Bristol and London.