Latham & Watkins, the US-based law firm, has hired private equity lawyer Martin Saywell, the third partner it has recruited to its London office from Simmons & Simmons in the last six months.

The addition of Saywell, who has not yet left Simmons & Simmons, will bring the number of partners in the private equity franchise at Latham & Watkins to four following the arrival of Charles Fuller in October.