Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy has hired a senior litigation partner from US rival Heller Ehrman, as the New York law firm continues its drive to strengthen its contentious practice.

Securities litigation partner Jerry Marks – who headed up Heller's Los Angeles office – joins Milbank as a partner in Los Angeles.

The move comes after Milbank earlier this year hired US attorney Richard Rosberger and Nichols Arsht & Tunnell litigation partner Alan Stone to strengthen its New York litigation department.

Commenting on the latest appointment, Milbank chairman Mel Immergut said: "[Marks] is a nationally-recognised securities litigation partner [and] his presence is a key strategic step in the continued growth of our West Coast securities and business litigation practice."

Other notable hires by Milbank this year include the capture of Paul Wessel, who joined in February from legacy Manhattan firm Dewey Ballantine, where he headed the compensation and benefits team.