Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld has boosted its City energy and corporate practices with the hire of a White & Case partner.

Greg Hammond (pictured) joins the US firm tomorrow after 10 years as a partner at White & Case, working on corporate finance transactions with a focus on the oil and gas, energy, financial services and consumer products sectors.

Akin's London energy practice is almost entirely focused on emerging markets, in particular the CIS, and boasts Russia's largest oil company, Lukoil, as one of its major European clients.

Hammond told Legal Week: "Being plugged into Houston, London, Moscow and the Middle East and having a potent energy capability in each of those regions gives Akin Gump a compelling platform to work from – we will also be looking to combine the firm's strengths in private equity and energy to make the most of the new opportunities arising in that area, especially in the emerging markets."

Hammond will become the thirteenth partner in Akin's London arm following the launch of City disputes practice with the hire of Linklaters' former energy and infrastructure disputes head Justin Williams.

Doug Glass, London energy partner at Akin Gump commented: "Greg will increase the depth and breadth of services we can provide our clients globally. His arrival enhances our English law practice, with particular emphasis on energy strength."

Earlier this year the US firm relocated London-based partner Robert Griffin to Abu Dhabi to launch a Middle East investment funds practice for the firm.