Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Preston Gates Ellis has launched a new office in Paris. The office opened earlier this month after the US firm hired two partners from local outfit Kahn & Associes, with further expansion planned.

Diane Hedary, who is a member of both the New York and Paris bars, advises on real estate, corporate and M&A transactions, while fellow partner Olivia Le Horovitz specialises in private equity, corporate and environmental law.

The office adds a third base to K&L Gates' European network, which was previously limited to outposts Berlin, where the firm launched this time last year, and London.