Dentons arbitration partner George Burn, the former head of Salans' UK international arbitration practice, has joined Vinson & Elkins in a key hire for the US firm's London base.

Burn, who advises on disputes relating to the energy, construction, transport and financial sectors, is an experienced counsel and arbitrator who joined Salans in 2007 from Denton Wilde Sapte – both of which subsequently formed part of the global merger which this year created Dentons.

Key roles he has taken have included acting for a municipality of an Asian state in defending a $3.5bn (£2.3bn) claim brought by a US contractor in relation to an aborted infrastructure project, as well as an arbitration victory for a Cypriot company in a dispute with a Russian citizen over a failed real estate project.

His departure from Dentons follows that of legacy Salans London managing partner Smeetesh Kakkad, who joined City boutique Hierons in May.

"George's arrival reinforces our strategy to expand our already substantial dispute resolution practice that will benefit our clients across multiple geographic regions," said Vinson chairman Mark Kelly said.

London-based international disputes resolution practice head James Loftis said: "George's broad experience and reputation for quality and innovation are well known in the market, and he comes from one of the premier arbitration practices in Europe."

Earlier this month Vinson saw a three-partner London/Dubai team join US rival Morgan Lewis, including Middle East managing partner Ayman Khaleq. Last week, the firm also announced it is closing its Shanghai office in a consolidation of its Asia practice.