Stewarts Law is set to launch its first international offices with the firm to open two offices in the US.

The firm will open in New York and Delaware on 1 May with the hire of litigation partner duo David Straite and Ralph Sianni who have joined from their own boutique Sianni & Straite to lead the offices.

Prior to launching their own firm last June both Sianni & Straite were lawyers at US litigation firm Grant & Eisenhofer.

Stewarts has to date had only a consulting office in New York, however its new offering will offer domestic securities litigation, antitrust and commercial litigation advice initially, with other types of litigation expected to follow.

Stewarts UK managing partner and US chairman John Cahill said: "The opening of a US practice is an important strategic step for us. Expansion to the US will increase our global reach and international litigation capability."

"Our US practice will bridge a cultural gap for UK and European clients litigating in the US. We will continue to work closely with those US firms who have a proven track record in our chosen specialisations. We plan to remain litigation-only, highly specialist, and conflict free."

The news comes after the specialist litigation firm has been gradually growing its footprint in recent years, merging with Baker & McKenzie London spin-off Masseys in August 2010, which saw Masseys' four-partner, seven-lawyer firm join Stewarts.

The firm currently has two offices in London and Leeds.

Stewarts has advised on a number of high-profile disputes in recent years including the Dresdner Kleinwort bankers battle over €50m (£41m) in unpaid bonuses against Commerzbank and acting for Hull City FC on its claim against former chairman Paul Duffen for misuse of the club's expenses and improper payments to football agents in 2010.