Clarke Willmott has snared the respected former head of DLA Piper’s insolvency and restructuring practice in the Midlands, Jeremy Bowden, as a partner for its Birmingham office, Legal Week can reveal.

Jeremy Bowden – whose surprise departure from DLA Piper in October was a blow to the transatlantic firm – will join 66-partner Clarke Willmott on 1 May. Bowden played a key role in the development of DLA Piper’s Birmingham insolvency team during 21 years with the firm.