Gibson Dunn & Crutcher has hired two litigation partners from Clifford Chance's (CC's) New York office, including the magic circle firm's former global litigation head Mark Kirsch.

The firm has recruited Kirsch and fellow partner Joel Cohen, with CC counsel Christopher Joralemon also joining as a partner.

News of the moves comes after Legal Week reported yesterday (9 June) that Cohen was to leave the firm, with partner George Schieren also handing in his notice. The departures, which come little more than a week after Kirsch announced that he was quitting, leave CC with just four litigation partners in New York.

Kirsch will take on a senior position at Gibson Dunn as co-chair of the firm's litigation practice, overseeing more than 500 lawyers in the group. He will join current chair Randy Mastro in the role.

Mastro said: "This is a unique opportunity for us to bring aboard this dynamic, successful litigation team. Mark is one of New York City's top complex commercial litigators and trial lawyers, and Joel and Chris also enjoy stellar reputations in the City's civil litigation, trial and white collar Bars. We see tremendous synergies between their complementary litigation practice, particularly in representing financial institutions in their most complex matters, and our strong litigation platform."

A replacement for Kirsch in his global role has yet to be decided, with the firm expecting to hold elections at the end of the summer. Washington DC disputes partner Juan Morillo has replaced him as CC's head of US litigation.