Ashurst has strengthened its London litigation practice with hire of David Capps from UBS, where he was EMEA head of litigation and regulatory investigations.

Capps, who focuses on regulatory, disputes and risk management issues in the financial services sector, will join the UK top 20 firm in June.

He moved to UBS in 2004 from Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr's London office. Before joining the US firm, he was a partner as DLA Piper and an associate at Stephenson Harwood.

The hire for Ashurst comes after the departures of high-profile litigator Will Thorburn, who left earlier this year to join banking giant JP Morgan as its EMEA head of litigation, and litigation chief Michael Madden, who has joined the London office of US firm Winston & Strawn.

Edward Sparrow has since headed up the firm's litigation practice on an interim basis, with management of the group set be taken on by outgoing managing partner Simon Bromwich when he stands down at the end of the calendar year.

Capps said: "After eight years in-house, I am looking forward to going back to private practice. Ashurst has a great team with some exceptional individuals."