Mishcon de Reya has launched a family law practice in New York with the hire of a new US partner.

Michael Stutman joined the UK law firm this month from his own firm Mayerson Stutman Abramowitz, which he founded in 1998.

Stutman will launch Mishcons' family practice in the US in a bid to take advantage of the increasing number of cross-border family disputes. The arrival of the litigator takes the total number of partners in Mishcons' New York arm to five.

Mishcons managing partner Kevin Gold commented: "For some time now we have witnessed the increasingly international nature of our clients needs, and recognise the growing value of multijurisdictional expertise in wealth management.

"Michael's appointment, with his wealth of experience in family law, will help us to accommodate these needs as we develop our cross-border practice."

Mischons opened in New York in January 2010 with a 15-strong team of lawyers and support staff, a number of which came from Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton.

The move gave the firm its first office outside the UK and was touted as an attempt to take advantage of rising demand for global fraud and regulatory advice.

The latest appointment makes Mishcons one of a handful of UK law firms to have ventured into the US private client market with Withers notably securing a deal a decade ago to acquire 10-partner New York boutique Bergman Horowitz & Reynolds.

Mishcons has been in expansive mode this year after unveiling a 30% growth in revenues for its 2010-11, taking its UK revenues to £61.5m. The figures do not include its US practice, which generated around $7m (£4.4m) during the 2010 calendar year.