US firm Brown Rudnick has launced a litigation-focused Paris office fronted by a former Gide Loyrette Nouel partner.

The office will be co-led by Sebastien Bonnard, the former Gide partner who joins from Lacourte Raquin Tatar, alongside international arbitration group head Nicholas Tse, who is currently based in London.

Brown Rudnick said opening in the French capital would boost its arbitration practice, and link its English and French civil and common law offerings with its broader focus on US litigation.