Linklaters has beefed up its French litigation practice with the hire of a senior partner from Gide Loyrette Nouel.

Kiril Bougartchev, who joins the magic circle firm's Paris office as a partner, is regarded as one of France's leading litigators. His practice focuses on white-collar crime, in particular in the energy, insurance, aerospace, defence and banking sectors.

Bougartchev is accompanied by associate Emmanuel Moyne, who joins the City giant as counsel. The latest recruits mean Linklaters has 36 partners in its Paris arm.