Morgan Lewis & Bockius has moved to bolster its London employment practice with the hire of a partner from Dewey & LeBoeuf.

Matthew Howse joined the US firm this week alongside two associates from Dewey, taking the total partner count in Morgan Lewis in London to 11.

His departure leaves Dewey with no employment capability in the City. Howse had been with Dewey since 2006, when he joined from Barlow Lyde & Gilbert to set up the City employment practice at legacy firm LeBoeuf Lamb Greene & MacRae.

Morgan Lewis has been trying to build its City employment presence since Charles Lubar took over as office head last September, replacing litigator Bob Goldspink.

In November the firm relocated its global head of employment Mark Dichter to London from Philadelphia. The practice also includes former Latham & Watkins employment partner Christopher Hitchins who joined Morgan Lewis in 2008.

Dichter said: "Adding Matt and his associates' high-level employment litigation experience to our existing London team with its broad practice and client base, will enable us to provide to clients in the UK the same high level representation and advice that has led our labour and employment practice to be recognised globally."

Last year Morgan Lewis firm said it wanted to bring its London office in line with the rest of the firm, shifting its emphasis to growing its employment, corporate and energy practice while moving away from litigation. Last month arbitration partner Neville Byford left for Eversheds.