Tony Damian says he hopes a personal following among clients will translate into new business for Ashurst, the top-tier firm that lured the mergers and acquisitions rainmaker from its rival last year.

While The Australian Financial Review’s Street Talk column reported the move in December, Ashurst announced the appointment of Damian to staff on Wednesday. The recruitment of a high-powered partner from Herbert Smith Freehills was a major coup for Ashurst and part of a plan to build the firm’s high-end corporate capabilities and jettison less profitable work.