Media and communications partner Tim Johnson is to join Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP from SJ Berwin next month. He will head up the firm's cross-practice Media Group.

Johnson's appointment follows the decision by SJ Berwin to close its four-partner UK media division, which was headed up by Johnson. He has been a partner with SJ Berwin since 1995.

Johnson advises on all aspects of media and communications law, with a particular emphasis on film and television financing, distribution and production and satellite communications. His practice also takes in digital media and on-line exploitation, advising on media asset financing structures, film and television production and distribution transactions and international co-productions.

Johnson will sit within the firm's commercial IP practice and will head up the media group, advising clients such as MTV, the BBC, Liberty Global and Twentieth Century Fox.

The appointment of Johnson closely follows that of tax partner Derek Hill who joined earlier this month from Herbert Smith.

Commenting on his move Johnson said 'Heading up a media practice with excellent credentials, lawyers who want to be engaged with the media sector and long-standing depth in its media client base, is an exciting opportunity.

'I firmly believe that Field Fisher Waterhouse's existing capability, coupled with the extra dimension I can add in areas such as media asset financing, is a compelling platform from which to develop a first rate European media practice.'