Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan has sealed the hire of Olswang litigation head Martin Davies for the US firm's fast-growing London office.

Davies, who was re-elected as head of Olswang's litigation practice earlier this year, will join the US firm in the New Year.

He has acted on a series of major commercial high court disputes, and is regularly instructed on public law issues. He conducts judicial reviews for both regulators and applicants.

Commenting on his departure, Davies said: "I would like to thank Olswang for fifteen wonderful years and I wish the firm continued success. However, I now feel ready for this new challenge – Quinn Emanuel presents me with an exciting opportunity and I am keen to help it achieve its aim to be the leading global name in litigation."

Davies has been succeeded as head of litigation and arbitration at Olswang by Richard Bamforth, who took up the role in September.

Olswang senior partner Mark Devereux said: "Martin has been a valuable member of the firm and we wish him well in the next stage of his career.

"We have invested significantly in our litigation practice over the last ten years and now have over 100 litigation lawyers generating over a third of our revenues. Under Richard's able leadership, I am confident that the litigation practice will continue to grow and prosper."

The hire of Davies comes amid a period of rapid growth for Quinn Emanuel's London base, which in the last year has recruited litigation partners Robert Hickmott from CMS Cameron McKenna and Alex Gerbi from Olswang.

Quinn Emanuel global managing partner John Quinn (pictured) commented: "Martin's joining us represents another significant step toward our goal of having the premier standalone business litigation practice in London."

The US firm also launched its first continental European office in Germany this year with the recruitment of a five-lawyer team from Allen & Overy.

Quinn Emanuel's recently-filed UK limited liability partnership accounts for 2009 revealed profits of £5.7m during its first full year of trading in London, with the highest-earning partner taking home just under £1.5m.