White & Case has added to its City M&A capabilities with the hire of former Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer corporate partner David Crook.

Crook, who was a partner for over a decade at the magic circle firm before leaving last year, focuses on domestic and cross-border transactions for UK and international corporate and financial institution clients.

London executive partner Oliver Brettle said: "We are in the business of offering clients top legal talent, coupled with global reach, and we have a clear focus on developing the excellent global pool of lawyers we already have, as well as attracting high-calibre partners that fit with the needs of our clients and the international work and culture of the firm."

Europe M&A head Francois Leloup added: "We are focused on increasing the already strong English law M&A capabilities we offer our clients globally, particularly in London as an international centre for the origination and execution of complex cross-border deals, many of which are in the high-growth markets where we have a long track-record of success for clients."

The addition of Crook follows on the heels of White & Case's London hires of bank finance partners Jacqueline Evans and Lee Cullinane from Mayer Brown, who are due to join the US firm in the New Year.

The hires are part of a move by White & Case to rebuild its London offering in the wake of a string of departures in recent years.