Birmingham law firm Wragge & Co has appointed six new partners - Dominic Roberts, Duncan Murphy, Ian Piggin, Jane Fielding, Mark Green-burgh and Stephen Sellers - in a move to strengthen core practice areas and prepare for further growth.

According to senior partner Quentin Poole, the appointments reflect client demand and the firm's confidence for the future.

Mr Roberts has carved out a niche for specialist corporate work, advising on transaction structures, takeover schemes, capital reorganisations and financial reporting issues as well as handling specialist corporate litigation. He takes the total number of dispute resolution partners to 20.

Lead adviser to Arsenal Football Club on the real e state elements of the Highbury stadium redevelopment, Mr Murphy becomes the fourth partner in Wragge's fast-growing residential development team. He began his career at Eversheds before joining Wragge in 1997. Since then, he has advised UK and international property developers on a number of large, complex schemes, establishing a reputation for a pragmatic and commercial approach.

Mr Piggin becomes the firm's fifth private equity partner.

A founder member of the private equity practice in London, he has been instrumental in forging a successful City presence. In addition to focusing on mid-market private equity transactions, he has also developed a strong reputation within the life sciences sector, advising investors and biotech companies including 3i and Chroma Therapeutics.

Ms Fielding is one of two new employment partners. She has played an important role in the employment team's growth, where her focus on technical excellence and client service has been instrumental in forging strong relationships, particularly with new client Barclays.

Mr Greenburgh becomes head of local government, giving the practice a high-level figurehead with significant local authority experience.

He has a mandate to build a full-service local government practice.

It takes the total number of employment partners to seven.

As a key part of the regeneration team, property and public law expert Mr Sellers has been instrumental in establishing Wragge's leading regeneration reputation.

He joined the firm six years ago after a successful career at Birmingham City Council, where he played a key role in the renaissance of the city centre. He has advised on high-profile mixed-use and residential schemes.

Mr Poole said: "These new partners combine an impressive range of technical know-how, specialist expertise and the ability to form lasting relationships with clients and colleagues.

"Promoting six new part-ners is a reflection of the success of our strategy. New partners in corporate, real estate, employment and local government, plus lateral hires in finance, IT and construction matches client demand for strength in depth across a full range of services."

Meanwhile Roger Whipp, a senior in-house lawyer at British Airways, has joined Wragge as a director in the outsourcing, trade and technology team.

Commercial partner and head of Wragge & Co's aerospace and defence practice, Jane Pittaway said: "Roger is an exceptional lawyer and a real aviation expert. People with his experience are rare so we are really delighted he has chosen to join us."

He spent ten years at BA where he advised on a full range of commercial and legal matters, including aircraft and engine maintenance procurement, cargo, flight operations, frequent flyer and mile-age programmes, outsourcing and many other issues. At Wragge he will focus on large, complex outsourcing deals and other commercial transactions for major corporate organisations.

Mr Whipp said: "I am excited to be joining the team at Wragges. They have a great reputation for providing excellent, commercial advice tailored to the client's business. As a former client, I have been impressed with the people, the culture and the emphasis on building relationships."