K&L Gates has strengthened its commercial disputes practice in its City office with the hire of LG litigation partner Thomas Ross, who will join the firm later this month.

Ross, who specialises in banking litigation work, represents clients across a variety of complex commercial disputes including banking, financial services, fund and asset management and pensions matters.

He will become the 10th partner in K&L Gates' London commercial disputes practice, which advises on litigation in areas such as regulation, pensions, employment, construction and engineering.

The firm has a number of longstanding relationships with large financial institutions including Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Goldman Sachs and UBS.

London managing partner Tony Griffiths said: "Tom's experience in acting for investment banks, hedge funds, and investors represents an excellent fit with our growing financial services client base. His arrival further strengthens our London and global litigation capability."

Ross is the fourth partner to join K&L Gates' London office in recent months. In December K&L Gates added corporate partner Christopher Germain, energy partner Matthew Kidwell and financial services partner Martin Cornish.