Watson Farley & Williams has bulked up its New York arm with the hire of energy partner Grace Kurdian from US law firm McCarter & English.

Kurdian joined the firm this week after seven years at McCarter in its real estate, construction and environmental group, having joined the firm's partnership in 2008.

She specialises in advising energy, renewable energy and cleantech clients on legislative initiatives, transactions and regulatory developments affecting the energy sector.

Kurdian's hire takes the total number of partners in Watson Farley's New York office to 11.

Watson Farley New York head Alfred Yudes said: "It is our aim to integrate all of our offices worldwide with similar practice areas available. We have a great renewable energy practice in Europe and Asia, but were lacking a designated partner in the US.

"We have been doing some renewables work with our existing people who have some crossover background, but Grace will provide us with a dedicated person to lead the practice. We will be looking to continue to grow our New York office over the coming months, particularly in the corporate area."

The news follows the promotion of corporate lawyer Philippe Manteau to the partnership in the firm's US office in April this year.