Allen & Overy has boosted its M&A practice in New York, hiring M&A senior partner Stephen Besen from Shearman & Sterling, the second time the U.K.-based firm has added an M&A senior partner in New York in recent months.

Besen has some 35 years’ experience in a range of transaction-related legal work and a specialty in cross-border deals. He has advised clients on matters that include mergers and tender offers, joint ventures, restructurings and private equity transactions, according to the firm.