King & Spalding has launched a trade and customs practice in the City with the hire of Bird & Bird practice group head Iain MacVay.

MacVay, who has more twenty years' experience of international and EU law, joins the US firm's London base today (20 May). His practice focuses on European and international trade and regulatory law and he has particular experience dealing with legal matters relating to the World Trade Organisation.

His work has included providing compliance advice to clients on trade and financial restrictions in doing business with Syria and Iran.

While at Bird & Bird, MacVay split his time between London and Brussels, having joined the firm in 2011 from Steptoe & Johnson.

"Iain is a leading expert on WTO dispute settlement, market access and regulatory matters and he provides further reach and depth to our international trade group," commented Stephen Orava, leader of the firm's international trade practice group.

King & Spalding's international trade group currently has more than 40 lawyers and professionals based in Washington DC, Geneva, Moscow and now London.

The hire comes as the Atlanta-headquartered firm has set out ambitious plans to effectively double its London presence by the end of 2014, ramping up the size of its City base to between 60 and 75 fee earners. Other areas targeted for expansion in the City include energy, life sciences and financial institutions, as well as a planned London pharmaceuticals practice launch.

As part of the recruitment drive, the Atlanta-based firm last month invited around 90 headhunters to its London offices to unveil the expansion plans.