Linklaters is set to continue its global litigation push with the launch of an Amsterdam practice in early 2010.

Litigation partner Daniella Strik will join Linklaters on 1 February from Dutch independent NautaDutilh, where she has been a partner since 2005.

Strik, a rated lawyer in the region, specialises in corporate litigation, arbitration and corporate governance. In the past she has been involved in shareholder activist cases involving Royal Dutch Shell and Stork.

Linklaters said that it does not expect to hire any associates prior to Strik's arrival, but that it intends to grow the practice through a mix of internal and external appointments.

The magic circle firm's Amsterdam base houses 50 lawyers and seven partners – not including Strik – in corporate, capital markets and banking.

Amsterdam managing partner Martijn Koopal said: "Daniella's appointment enables us to meet the strong demand for Dutch litigation advice and is a key next step in the growth of the Amsterdam office and the widening of our client offering."

Last month Linklaters boosted its litigation practice in Madrid with the hire of Francisco Malaga from Cuatrecasas, marking the firm's first litigation partner in the region. This was followed in August by the hire of high-profile litigation partner Christa Band from Herbert Smith in London.

Linklaters global litigation head Francoise Lefevre added: "The market of public and private M&A has become increasingly litigious, with company disputes increasing both in number and in size. This has been especially marked in the last 18 months as a result of the credit crisis."