US law firm Vedder Price is launching in London with 
the hire of Clyde & Co's co-head of aviation finance, Gavin Hill, marking the firm's first presence outside of its home country.

The City office will go live next month, with Hill and ex-Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer senior associate Derek Watson – who left the magic circle firm earlier this year to join Clydes – set to become the two resident partners.

It is understood that further Clydes associates could also join the new base, which will initially focus on transportation finance.