Dorsey & Whitney has hired Eversheds' Shanghai managing director Peter Corne to lead its office in the region.

Corne, who is set to join Dorsey early in 2011, will take over as Shanghai office head from Jay Yan, who will continue to serve as a partner in the office.

Corne joined Eversheds to head up its Shanghai outfit in 2006, having previously worked for both Linklaters and Simmons & Simmons in Shanghai. He has advised multinational clients including Coca-Cola on work such as M&A and corporate restructurings, and also has experience in the renewable energy sector.

Dorsey London co-head Tim Maloney said: "We are continuing to strengthen and expand the platform we have in Shanghai and to focus our office on specific areas including clean energy, healthcare, financial services and environment, which Peter's hire will help us to do. This forms part of a much wider ongoing expansion of our international offices."

Dorsey has made a number of hires in London this year, with Brown Rudnick private equity partner Roger Gregory the latest to join the office in August 2010.

Eversheds announced in April this year that it is looking to launch an office in Beijing.

Commenting on Corne's departure, a spokesperson said: "We can confirm that Peter has left Eversheds and we wish him well in his future role. Eversheds is continuing with its strategy to grow its presence in Asia and we expect to be in a position to confirm his replacement in the near future."